Senior Hana Ghalib walked into AP Biology on the first day of school not knowing the workload that awaited her. After seeing the syllabus for the semester, Ghalib became stressed, however, she felt a wave of relief knowing she is ahead of her classmates in one important area: Ghalib is almost done with her college applications.
The Common Application early action and early decision deadlines fall on Nov. 1. The way students pace their applications is crucial to their stress, social life and grades throughout senior year. College and Career Info Coordinator Jennifer MacDonald recommends that students start thinking seriously about the college process at the end of their junior year. “After AP tests are done, English teachers usually have classes work on the college essay. This is dedicated time to consider which essay question resonates with you and allows you to highlight yourself best,” MacDonald said.
Throughout the summer rising seniors can feel lost in their application process, being outside of school, but there are plenty of opportunities to seek help and make progress. “All summer long, the Wootton College & Career Center and the College & Career Centers at all MCPS high schools offer many workshops covering all aspects of the college application process. Most of these opportunities are virtual, but some are in person,” MacDonald said.
After finishing your main Common Application essay first, MacDonald suggests moving on to the supplementals for each school, focusing on the most complex essays first. “Scope out the requirements for your specific colleges during the summer so you can devise a realistic schedule to complete everything, including supplementals, before the deadline,” MacDonald said.
Private college counselors can be a source of help for college applicants when it comes to pacing. However, these resources may not be affordable for all students. MacDonald advises that regardless of what kind of help you seek, it is crucial to receive some sort of guidance. “Whether you hire a private counselor or not, it is an essential part of the maturing process for students to take the initiative in the college application process,” MacDonald said.
Senior Max Greenberg is currently juggling his heavy courseload with his college applications. “I plan on finishing by the middle of October. I’m happy with that because I want to get them all in by the early action deadline,” Greenberg said.
Although he has finished his Common Application essay, he still feels crunched for time and wishes he started the process earlier. “Definitely start writing your essay during summer. You will save a lot of time and stress if you can knock that out early. I wish I got more work done during summer,” Greenberg said.
Ghalib is ahead of the game, having finished the bulk of her applications. Regardless of her progress, she still feel some stress. “Honestly, it’s very hard, and I am overwhelmed. However, I have a plan to dedicate time on weekends and holidays for my applications while prioritizing schoolwork during the week, as my academics remain my main priority,” Ghalib said.
Ghalib said that just starting the process is a game changer. “Initially, the biggest struggle was beginning to write. Over time, writing essays has become easier, and I’ve become clearer on what qualities of mine to showcase. I recommend utilizing tools like Google Drive for organization and creating spreadsheets not just for due dates but also to track supplemental essays and find common themes,” Ghalib said.
