Planning out your last year of high school can be intimidating, but don’t worry all your hard work will soon pay off! Now that you’re in the home stretch, college is the next thing on your mind. Knowing the colleges you want to apply to is important. And since you’ve likely already toured the colleges your excitement is through the roof.
However, we recommend not breaking out into dance just yet. While you were touring the colleges did you take note of their early access or regular admission dates? Are there any other important deadlines that we need to watch out for? Let’s get into the different deadlines and application processes there are for colleges.
If you are going to submit applications early, you have to know that the early application deadlines are months before the regular application deadline. You typically have to turn in your application between November and December. The benefits that come with applying during the early process are getting an admission decision before the students that apply during regular admission.
If you apply during early admission and get in then you will be expected to attend that college. If applying early is something you want to commit to, we suggest researching all of the requirements of your top college during your junior year. Make sure you are prepared to apply to the colleges of your dreams in your senior year.
Early action and Early decision are quite similar, especially with the fact that you will have to apply to the college months before regular admission. However, the difference is that early action is that you are not required to attend the school if you are accepted. This means that you have more of a choice if you are accepted to multiple colleges under early action. Again, the same can not be said under the early decision.
The reason you would apply under early action is based on the schools that are your top choices. We recommend that you apply under early action for your top choices and this way you get a decision quicker. Then as a backup plan, apply to your secondary choices under regular admission so you have options and different routes if needed.
When it comes to regular admission, also known as regular decision, you can generally expect the deadline to be in January. However, this is different for every college, so be sure to check all your college admission deadlines.
Regular decision is the most common time to submit your application because you have more time to gather all your materials. Some of those required materials are test scores, letters of recommendation, and essays. If you miss an application deadline then your results will not only be delayed but your college timeline may be delayed too. Stay on track with your college timeline.
The Common Application is a single college application you can use for multiple schools. About 900 colleges and universities accept the Common App, so it will save you time during the application process. The form typically opens in August, so you can get a head start in filling it out before regular admission is due.
Here are some of the most important tasks to accomplish during your junior and senior years of high school. These are things that you should keep on your radar and make sure to accomplish on time.
Most schools will have their own set of specific requirements to accompany the Common App. You will likely need to gather letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, or mentors. Some applications will probably also require an essay, so having the Common Application filled out and ready to go will give you more time to draft thoughtful essays for all your applications.
One of the most important tests that you can complete in preparation for college is the SAT or ACT. These are important test scores that you will need to supply during the college application process. The SAT or ACT is generally taken at the end of your junior year or the beginning of your senior year. You will have to find out the specific deadline yourself and make sure not to miss it!
Getting the exam scores back to you is something to keep in mind because sometimes it can take up to a month. It is important to have all your documents in order and ready for college submissions.
The sooner you take tours of the campuses you’re considering, the better. You’ll want to thoughtfully consider everything you learned from each tour and go on tours before you begin sending in applications. Each college will have its dates and guidelines for campus tours, so you’ll want to confirm the timeline for each school you’re interested in seeing.
Some may only be offered during certain hours or days of the week, and during specific times of the year. Others may require sign-ups in advance with limited availability, so you’ll want to reserve your spot as soon as possible. If you’ll need to travel overnight to the schools, consider the cost of the travel when picking your dates to go. Everything from plane tickets to hotel rooms can vary, and you’ll want to avoid high-priced periods if possible.
It’s also a good idea to complete the FAFSA as soon as possible since some financial aid is offered on a first-come, first-serve basis. If you miss a school deadline for filing your FAFSA, you may not receive the money you need for an upcoming semester in time to avoid late fees, or worse, you may miss your chance to get in a class altogether.
While you can apply for some scholarships year-round, many scholarships have hard deadlines in place. Beyond meeting the application due date, some scholarships have requirements you’ll need to meet to qualify. It’s not too early to start looking for scholarship opportunities during your freshman and sophomore years in high school. This will give you enough time to complete requirements, such as a minimum number of public service hours.
Remember, it’s never too soon to begin tracking the important dates and deadlines related to your college search. Find an organization method that works for you, and mark down the key dates to get started. When it comes to individual schools, be sure to check with each one since every school is different. Starting early and getting your calendar in order can help take some of the stress out of the hunt for your perfect college and help you focus on finding the best fit for you.
Now that you have a better understanding of important college admissions dates, we hope you can get into the college of your dreams. Don’t forget to double-check all your deadlines and get all your application information together before the process date.
If you need help with college admissions, contact one of our college coaching representatives and we can help you get everything in line for a smooth application process. We will help you get into the college of your dreams.
While you were touring the colleges did you take note of their early access or regular admission dates? Are there any other important deadlines that we need to watch out for? Let’s get into the different deadlines and application processes there are for colleges.
Women’s colleges’ history and comprehensive women’s colleges list here. The best women's colleges in the U.S. and key questions, such as: How many women's colleges are there in the U.S.? Are there any all-women's colleges? And are women’s colleges still relevant today and why?
Colleges that use holistic admissions make every effort to examine each candidate as a unique individual. In addition to SAT scores, class rank, and high school GPA, holistic college admissions evaluate personal statements, supplemental essays, extracurricular activities, student potential, and college letters of recommendation.
Colleges with holistic admissions try their best to evaluate each applicant as a complex individual. Rather than focus exclusively on SAT scores, class rank, and high school GPA, holistic college admissions consider additional factors, such as personal statements, supplemental essays, extracurricular activities, student potential, and college letters of recommendation.
While high school GPA and standardized test scores still play a large factor in the admissions process, it is also important to note that — given the rising popularity of test-optional colleges — holistic admissions are now more important than ever.
Colleges want to curate an interesting, diverse student body. This is why college admissions officers are interested in what you have to say about your passions and hobbies. Ultimately, colleges want to admit unique, capable students who will be active, both inside and outside of the classroom. That said, be sure to highlight your interests and personality in your college applications.
So what do college admissions officers look for in an applicant at holistic admissions colleges? Or, in other words, what does a holistic admissions process take into account? There are lots of factors to consider. Most notably, these factors include:
As you can see, some of these factors are hard factors (such as grades and test scores) and some are soft factors (such as passions and interest).
It’s important to note that all factors are not considered equal. Whether or not you receive admission will depend a lot on the specific school and its goals and mission statement.
Grades and test scores are not the only factors considered at holistic colleges. There are lots of other factors to consider. This is why it is important to complete your college applications carefully and thoroughly. Commit yourself fully to each aspect of the application.
Take extra time to polish your personal statement and supplemental essays. Overall, these essays are your best chance to communicate who you are and what you care about.
When you write your college essays, try to infuse your language with a greater sense of your personality. In other words, write the way you speak. Now is not the time to show off your SAT vocabulary. Instead, focus on showing college admissions committees who you are, what you care about, and how you think.
It’s also important to avoid overused college essay topics. Again, your personal statement is your best opportunity to stand out and leave a lasting impression. So try your best to be creative and authentic.
Carefully consider who to ask to write your college letters of recommendation. Ideally, you want to submit personal, highly-detailed letters. Ask someone who knows you well, both inside and outside of the classroom. While teachers are often an obvious choice, it’s okay to think outside the box. You could ask a coach, a mentor, or an internship supervisor.
Letters of recommendation help increase the credibility of your application. In other words, admissions officers want to see that you have people willing to recommend and endorse you as a candidate. They add another dimension to your overall application and help communicate how you are perceived by others. This is especially important when trying to assemble a harmonious incoming class.
Colleges want to admit students who pursue their passions outside of the classroom. They want to admit students who will be involved and engaged in their community. This is why your extracurricular activities list is so important.
Perhaps the most important factor to consider in regards to extracurricular activities is consistency. In other words, college admissions officers want to admit students who fully invest themselves in their passions. Therefore, a student who has participated all four years in an extracurricular activity and holds a leadership role in the club or organization will stand out more than a student who has been involved in a handful of clubs but hasn’t really committed to any one of them.
Cultural diversity must be properly represented in our colleges and universities. In the case of college admissions, diversity may refer to racial background, socioeconomic status, life experiences, personal identities, cultural influences, and more.
Colleges want their students to learn and grow alongside one another. By fostering greater cultural awareness, colleges aim to promote tolerance, provide more balanced access to higher education, as well as help enact social change. After all, education is an equalizer. But only if it can be accessed by all.
Holistic admissions help admit capable students who may otherwise be overlooked, largely due to their low-income or minority status.
At this point you may be wondering, what does “holistic admissions” mean? Or perhaps more specifically, what is “holistic review”? While the general concept may seem straightforward, let’s look at a formal holistic admissions definition.
The Supreme Court defined the term “holistic review” during the 2003 court case Grutter v. Bollinger as a “highly individualized review of each applicant’s file, giving serious consideration to the ways an applicant might contribute to a diverse educational environment.”
In short, holistic review allows colleges to consciously admit diverse students without fear of legal repercussions.
Colleges are eager to assemble diverse, vibrant student bodies. This is easier said than done, however. Schools with holistic admissions admit students according to their individual college mission statements; often these include a desire to foster a greater sense of cultural diversity.
While grades and test scores are hard factors, soft factors — such as student potential and passion — are very subjective. Therefore, to standardize the holistic review process, colleges often employ various models regarding how they review applications. That said, what is a holistic admissions process and what does it look like?
In the past, one college admissions officer may have reviewed a student’s application by themself. The holistic review admissions process, however, often involves several college admissions officers. For example, one admissions officer may review the application and then offer a recommendation, while a second admissions officer makes the final decision. Another process may involve two admissions officers making a recommendation and if their recommendations match, a decision is made; if not, a third admissions officer makes the final decision.
Successfully practicing holistic admissions policies often involves employing diverse admissions panels and offering cultural awareness training. While some colleges have proudly been practicing holistic admissions for over a decade, some colleges are just starting.
The holistic admission process primarily benefits two types of students: students applying to highly-selective colleges such as the Ivy Leagues and students who — for any number of reasons — do not necessarily test well or otherwise have a strong academic background.
Students applying to selective colleges often compete with other equally-qualified students. If the majority of applicants have impressive GPAs and SAT/ACT test scores, how do colleges decide who to admit? The answer is through holistic admissions. Personal statements, supplemental essays, student interviews, college letters of recommendation, and more help students stand out from their peers when applying to Ivy League colleges.
Holistic admissions also benefit low-income and minority students because they consider passion and potential. In other words, a college admissions committee may ask: If this student had access to the right resources, would they be successful? If the answer is yes, college admissions committees may choose to offer this student admission.
The rising popularity of test-optional admissions has reignited an ongoing debate over the fairness of standardized testing. It has also, in many ways, increased the importance of holistic admissions and the many factors they take into account. Many believe that the SAT test and ACT tests give preference to students with privileged backgrounds while discriminating against low-income and minority students.
The reasoning behind this is two-fold: Many claim that the actual test material — i.e. the topics, reading passages, questions, etc. — is biased towards privileged students. The other factor is financial. While wealthier students often have the opportunity to retake exams, employ a tutor, and purchase SAT and ACT study guides, many low-income students do not have these luxuries. In fact, for many, taking the SATs or ACTs once may be a financial burden.
One of the primary objectives of holistic colleges and holistic review is to create more access to higher education. Cultural diversity is not only academically enriching, but it is also necessary. Students need to be presented with diverse values, opinions, and lifestyles to become responsible, globally-minded citizens entering the workforce.
If you began reading this article wondering what is holistic admissions? hopefully, you’ve gathered some insight. Basically, as you assemble your college applications, do your best to complete each section carefully and thoughtfully. Additionally, keep in mind the various factors considered by holistic review colleges.
If you are struggling with any part of the college application process, or feel you could benefit from professional attention, reach out to learn more about our services. Similarly, if you are set on attending an Ivy League college, many students work carefully alongside a college counselor as they prepare their college application materials.
