Copyright (c) 2010 Marjorie Hansen Shaevitz

Each year, about 2 and a half million students apply to university. In some cases, students apply only to state colleges and local universities. However, more and more applicable to a wide range of colleges, public and private, as well as near and far from home. The process is demanding, complex and stressful. However, there are certain things you can do from the beginning to make the task easier and also end up with unique, better than competing applications.

1. Start Children procrastination is a death trap for students involved in the process of college admission. Dragging their feet on completing applications often results in a rush to the end and less than credible job. Especially if you intend to apply early action (non-binding program, where students apply by November 1 and receive answers by the middle of December) or early decision (binding contract applications where Applying the first of November and receive an answer by mid-December. If you’re accepted, you have to say yes or no in a short period of time. If you register early, you must first complete the application in September or October at the latest early to get a competitive solicitation. Even if you regularly apply the decision, it is useful to answer all your applications before the Christmas holidays, regardless of when their deadlines are. This no fun to spend the end of December working on college applications. And as the saying goes, “the worm early bird.” What’s more important is that your application is a bit different and slightly better than the claims of other students.

2. Complete your list College If you have not established a list of colleges to do before school starts in the fall. You need to find colleges that suit you as a person and meet your educational background. Your list must contain reached a good chance and Pretty Sure Things (security) based on how your notes and compare the results of tests to students already admitted. This information is available in the U.S. News & World Report America’s Best Colleges, and in the admissions section of individual college websites.

3. Nail your Recommenders lots of students from your high school teachers and college counselor to write letters of recommendation. Keep in mind that the later you ask them to do so, they are less likely to write powerful, focused letters that make a difference in your admission. If you do not ask them at the end of your junior year, then immediately ask the first week of school in the fall.

4. Make sure that the tests are performed and the results are sent is better if you can get your standardized test completed before the end of your junior year. If you do not, do not worry. You still have September, October, November and December your last year to take the ACT / SAT Subject Tests or unless you apply early action or decision (in which case you must have completed the tests in October). After completing the test, make sure that your results are sent to each college you are applying. There is still confusion within the test organisms, Internet problems, Post Office misadventures and even lost materials in colleges. So, after you turn in your applications, please contact the various offices of admission to ensure they have received your results (and while you’re there, make sure they have everything else necessary their application).

5. Fill the joint application sooner rather than later, while there are many universities that still have their own applications such as USC, Georgetown and most major state universities, more than 400 colleges and four-year universities (and even some government institutions) now accept the Common Application. In addition to the application itself, many schools also have additional applications that you must complete. My rule of thumb is to get at least one completed application during the summer before your senior year. You have no idea what a relief. And if you have any schools on your list of colleges that are of common application, start with one of them. After completing one, all other popular applications App school will be a piece of cake.

Thus, while getting through the college admissions process can be difficult, there are ways to make it easier as you, family, teachers, and school counselor. Follow the suggestions above, and you should be fine.