What Seniors Should Be Doing Right Now

student writing college essay

Every fall, we get calls from parents of high school seniors who are feeling a tremendous amount of stress about the college application process.

Some feel guilty because they didn't start the college search early enough and have no idea where to begin. Others are convinced their child is going to procrastinate until the last minute, sending off rushed applications and essays that don't fully tell their story. Another group worries that they will make a mistake. There are also many parents who know there is a lot to do and very little time to do it, especially with all the other commitments that come with senior year.

And, they aren’t wrong. There is a lot to do! Students need to finalize a college list, write the Common Application essay and supplemental essays, ask for letters of recommendation, make decisions about testing and figure out which application deadlines and majors make sense for each college.

Your senior does not need to do everything at once. In fact, there are two things they can start working on right now that will make the rest of the application process much more manageable.

1. Write the College Essay

The college essay is one of the few places in the application where students get to tell admissions officers who they are beyond their grades, test scores, activities and recommendations. It adds the student’s voice to the application. 

The essay is also one of the most time-consuming parts of the application process. A strong essay rarely emerges in one sitting. Students need time to brainstorm, write, rethink, revise and polish. That's one reason so many students procrastinate. It's a big project, and it's hard to know where to begin.

The essay is also the last major piece of the application that is fully within the student's control. Colleges will see the grades the student has already earned and the activities they have already completed. The essay gives them one more opportunity to show admissions officers who they are.

Getting started now gives your senior time to develop an essay they are proud of without trying to squeeze the writing process between classes and activities. Even better, they can begin the school year with a major piece of the application already completed.

(If your student needs help, The College Spy offers essay workshops and 1-1 assistance.)

2. Fill Out the Common Application

Most college-bound students will use the Common Application to apply to college. Students can begin working on the application before they have finalized their college list. They can fill out the Profile, Family, Education, Testing and Activities sections now. They can also add their common app essay when they complete it. Students who know which colleges they are going to apply to can start to answer the college-specific questions and work on supplemental essays.

In our work with students, we've noticed that simply getting started on the application can create momentum. Once students see the application coming together, the college process suddenly feels real. They often become more motivated to research schools, schedule visits and make decisions about where they want to apply.

Starting the application also helps students identify what they don't know. They will inevitably come across questions they don't understand or sections where they aren't sure what information to provide. Rather than waiting until the last minute to discover these questions, students can make a list of the places where they are stuck and follow up with the appropriate people, such as their school counselor or the teachers writing their letters of recommendation.

There’s still work to do.

Of course, completing the Common Application and college essay doesn't mean the entire process is finished.

Students still need to finalize their college lists, research application deadlines, decide whether to submit test scores, request letters of recommendation and complete any supplemental essays. They also need to make decisions about their academic interests for the colleges that ask this question.

One thing that happens when students fill out the Common App is that they identify questions that they have and areas on the app they find confusing. They will get stuck. Students should make a list of places they are stuck and follow up with appropriate people such as their school counselor or the teachers writing the letters of recommendation to ask questions. 

Imagine entering senior year with the Common Application completed and the main college essay finished. Instead of looking at one overwhelming list of things that need to be done, your student can focus on the decisions and tasks that come next. They won’t be starting from zero.

The bottom line 

If you have a senior and haven't started the college application process yet, don't spend the rest of the summer feeling guilty about it. Start with the essay and the Common Application. Getting those two things underway now will make the fall less stressful.

How The College Spy Can Help

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We would love to help your student understand the current admissions landscape, build a college list and write their college essays. Check out our packages for individuals and group workshops on our website: www.thecollegespy.com