Are you sitting there, twiddling your thumbs, and wondering when’s the best time to throw your hat in the college application ring? Well, let’s clear the fog off those rose-colored glasses and get into the nitty-gritty of this college application jazz!
The Short Answer: Start the college application process the summer before your senior year.
Applying to college isn’t something you should just wake up and decide to do when the first leaves of autumn start to fall. Instead, think of it as a fine wine that gets better with time (and not the cheap kind!). This means laying the groundwork during your junior year. By prepping in your junior year, you can hit the ground running when the application season officially kicks off. This prep can include taking the SAT or ACT, researching campuses, visiting schools, gathering those all-important recommendation letters from teachers who will sing your praises, and piling on the extracurricular activities that will make your application pop.
In essence, the summer before your senior year is the prime time to start submitting applications. Even though you may not be dealing with college apps just yet, starting your junior year allows you to tackle them with confidence and aplomb. Plus, you’ll ease the stress that comes with the final push in senior year when everyone around you is also scrambling to get their stuff together. So, cheat the system a little and plan ahead!
So, ready to roll up your sleeves and kickstart your college journey? The more you prepare now, the easier it will be later. Don’t hesitate to dive into the JobLoving community for more resources or if you have any burning questions about your college application adventure. Let’s get this party started!