What Fall Is All About: Foliage, Football, and College Applications!

Fall of senior year has certainly changed from a college admissions perspective over the past several years. Data suggests that approximately half of college applications are now submitted during the Early Decision or Early Action cycle, meaning high school students need to start ramping up their college search efforts earlier than they may have in the past. College Board has jumped into this fall frenzy as well, offering an August administration of the SAT in addition to its traditional testing dates.

With this in mind, students should begin the college search process much earlier than they may have in the past. A suggested timeline includes visiting college campuses by the fall of junior year and planning standardized testing so that a second testing opportunity takes place no later than September of senior year. Otherwise, an SAT taken in October or November may come after many of the other application materials have already been submitted.

A list of potential schools that may be extensive in the spring of junior year should be narrowed to a more manageable number—no more than 10—by the end of September of senior year. This is important not only from a financial perspective—the average college application now costs approximately 45–50—but also because of the increasing importance of demonstrated interest.

Once that “Send” button is pushed on the Common Application or an individual college’s application platform for one of the early deadlines—typically October 15, November 1, or November 15—the waiting begins!

Those early admission decisions that come in December can certainly add to the excitement of the holiday season—or cast a bit of gloom over what is otherwise a joyous time of year. Either way, the college application process now requires an earlier start, making careful planning more important than ever.