Navigating The College Application Process

The college application process can feel overwhelming at first, but when you break it into stages, it becomes far more manageable. The key is knowing what to do and when to do it, so nothing important slips through the cracks. Many parents don’t realize that planning for college starts as young as seventh grade!

Here are some easy steps to make everything more manageable:

Step 1: Identify the rigor of the college you want to consider- The College List

Whether you want to go to Yale or the University of Florida, or the University of North Florida or Rutgers, every college has a different level of expectation. You can start setting yourself up for all the options by taking the most rigorous course load you are capable of being successful at as early as middle school. This will set you up on the right track for many options. If you haven’t done that, no worries! There’s still time to pivot or consider different options. You can even begin applying for some scholarships now too!

Step 2: Extracurriculars- The Resume

This is where you let yourself shine! Different schools have different levels of what they are looking for in this area. To see what the schools you are considering are looking for, go check out the college’s Common Data Set. Select the most recent year and scroll down to section C7. The more selective universities are really looking for that extra panache in your application, so think about what sets you apart from students of the same caliber as you.

Step 3: Junior Year- Pre Application Tasks

This is when we hit the ground running. At various times throughout the year, you may be asking recommenders to commit to writing your recommendation, filling out data entry tasks like the STAR, completing specific questions in the Common App, and finalizing your resume. This is also when you will write your personal statement (aka- the college essay) and begin the groundwork for any college-specific supplemental essays. We also need to get your residency docs together for your in-state tuition benefits.

Step 4: Senior Year- Submitting Applications

Starting August 1 you should begin submitting applications as many deadlines are as early as October! After you submit the apps, you need to open and update a portal for each college you apply to. These portals are essential for tracking materials and identifying anything that may still be missing, like test scores (where applicable). After October 1, students should complete the Bright Futures application, and after December 1, parents should submit the FAFSA and, if required, the CSS Profile.

If you would like to learn more about how we can help in this process, check out our friends at Florida College Coach website.