Dear Senior Families,
September is when the college process starts moving quickly. Here are the key things to focus on this month:
Finalize the college list
Students should have a balanced list of likely, target, and reach schools and know why each college is a good fit.
Know the deadlines
I recommend all students apply Early Action to the colleges that offer it, which can be as early as October 15, November 1, and November 15. UC applications are due by November 30 and Cal States are due by December 1. Special programs, such as honors programs, may have other deadlines.
Keep essays moving
Students should have rough drafts of personal statement essays and UC personal insight questions. Some colleges require supplemental essays as well. Revisions typically happen over several iterations. The goal right now is progress, not perfection.
Complete the Common App
Completing each section of the applications should be underway so we have time to address any confusion.
Request recommendation letters
Students should request teacher and counselor recommendations as soon as possible, and make sure to follow the high school's protocol for submission. Follow all directions from counselors so they know to support student applications with official documents.
Need financial aid? Get ready for FAFSA
Make sure both the student and parent(s) have their StudentAid.gov accounts set up. Make sure your senior has a valid, unexpired government-issued photo ID. New federal fraud-detection procedures may require some students to complete additional identity verification, which can include providing a government-issued photo ID. Taking care of this now can prevent delays later.
Establish a weekly college-work routine
For students who struggle with executive functioning, schedule a consistent weekly block for college tasks and break larger projects into small, specific next steps.
September doesn't need to be overwhelming. The goal is simply to keep moving forward, one task at a time!
Jen