For most students, procrastination started Aug. 1. School started Sept. 5. The early decision and early action deadlines are Nov. 1. What are students waiting for? Many students—including myself—hit the ground running when it comes to college application. The satisfaction of submitting through the Common App and seeing the screen turn green with confetti turned my outlook on college from anxious to excited and relieved. I just applied to college.
While colleges all offer many different deadlines, in my opinion the Nov. 1st deadline is the most important to relieve the stresses of applying and to feel good about May 1st. Colleges allow students to start applying on Aug. 1. With many schools available on the Common App, the majority of the application is straightforward filling out the “Common” portion of the application. Including personal and family background, activities and your personal essay, this portion can be completed in a few days. Starting the common portion of the application before Aug. is also an option for students.
Spending a few days in Aug. to knock out your application is well worth it. Once the school year starts, you are thrown back into the mix of academics, sports and extracurriculars. No one wants to work on a lengthy, in-depth application after hours of homework or over the weekend. Not only does submitting early put you above other students in the application pool, but it also gives you the satisfaction of submitting early and now only having to wait.
Of course, everything comes with drawbacks. When applying early, you might feel stressed to make a decision and commit immediately. You might get a bad case of senioritis and stop putting in a strong work ethic during the school year. This might be true from some piles, but most schools do request an end-of-year transcript to ensure you are maintaining a strong work ethic. Additionally, senioritis will hit any and everyone at some point, all we can do is keep pushing on.
The stress of college won’t stop—even once you’ve been accepted. The most satisfying moment will come once you get your first acceptance. The satisfaction hits and you fill with joy. You did it. You got into college. Everything you have been working towards for the last twelve years has paid off. No matter when or how you apply, you did it. Early decision isn’t for everyone, but having the advantage and the stress relief early is unbeatable.
