How to Organize Your College Applications

One day you're a high-school junior, happily juggling schoolwork, social life and other activities. Then suddenly you're a senior applying to college, and the balls come tumbling down. The best way to handle all the details and deadlines is to organize everything to a T, beginning the summer before your senior year.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

1. Make a college countdown calendar with important dates such as application deadlines, campus visits and aptitude tests. Review and update the calendar frequently. For a sample calendar, visit the National Association for College Admission Counseling (nacac.com) and go to the section for students.
2. Decide whether you want to apply for early admission, which increase your chances of getting into the college of your choice, but may limit your options. Early decision plans allow students to apply early (usually in November) to their favorite school and get an admission decision from the college well in advance of the usual notification date. The catch is these plans are binding--you agree to attend the college if it accepts you and offers an adequate financial aid package. Although you can apply to only one college for early decision, you may apply to other colleges under regular admission. If you are accepted in the early decision plan, you must withdraw all other applications. Usually, colleges insist on a nonrefundable deposit well in advance of May 1. With early action plans, students learn early in the admission cycle (usually in January or February) whether a college has accepted them. But unlike early decision, most early action plans are not binding.
3. Narrow your list to the top six colleges of your choice. Experts advise applying to one to two safety schools, three good matches and one or two reach schools. Request applications in the mail or download application forms from the college's Web site.
4. Keep copies of all related correspondence and applications for each college in separate folders. Write down contact names and phone numbers. Document any phone calls and file the notes.
5. Fill out the applications thoroughly, representing all aspects of yourself as fully as possible. Don't just list your extracurricular activities: Offer detailed information, highlighting both accomplishments and contributions.
6. Spend time on your essay--it's one of the most critical parts of the application. Answer the question that's asked, stay focused and use specific examples to illustrate your points. Be creative and show your individuality. Most admissions committees would rather see you take a risk than use a pat formula.
7. Send copies of your completed applications by certified mail, in case you need to prove they went out on time. Call the colleges' admissions offices to make sure they have everything they need.

Tips & Warnings

• Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors and other people who have a positive view of you. Look for someone connected to the college, such as a donor, a trustee or an alumnus. The letters should be short and to the point. It's your responsibility that the letters arrive on time, so ask for them early.
• If a college requires your first-semester grades from your senior year of high school, ask the guidance office to send them. At the end of the year, request that the office send your final transcript and follow up to make sure it's received.
• If you're wait-listed, let the college know you're still interested and send a copy of your spring grades.
• Have a parent or teacher edit your essay, and use their suggestions to rework it. Before you turn in your final copy, ask someone to proofread it carefully.
• ACT offers fee waivers to students who demonstrate financial hardship; similarly, some schools will waive admissions fees for students with financial need. Ask admissions offices about the options available to you.
• Application charges vary widely among different schools and universities, ranging from about $10 (for community colleges) up to $70 (for some elite colleges).