College Planning Tutorial: Tips for Managing Application Process

College Planning Tutorial:
Empowering College-Bound Students

Here are some tips for managing the college application process:

Take ownership in the process. Take responsibility for understanding the application process, admissions criteria, and key dates for each college in which you plan to apply. (Hint -- that's partly the goal of this tutorial!)
Don't procrastinate! Applying to college -- even if you have an unusually large list -- should not be a big stressor unless you wait to the last minute to get things done.
Have a system that works for you. Some students like to work on applications over several weeks, while others like to dedicate one or two weekends and get them over with.
Review everything before you send it. Not only should you proofread all the materials in your college applications, but it's also a good idea to ask a parent or other adult to do so also.
Remain confident and upbeat. Applying to college is a rite of passage for a growing number of Americans -- something many people's parents or grandparents did not have the opportunity to do -- so celebrate the fact that you will be going to college somewhere next year.
Stay calm. Your senior year of high school is stressful enough -- with tougher courses and higher expectations -- that you don't need to add to your stress by panicking about college. If you follow this tutorial and all our recommendations, you should be in good shape for smoothly sailing through the application process.

Need help with any of the terms described on this page? If so, find the answers in our High School College-Bound and College Planning Glossary.

Return to the main page of the College Planning Tutorial.

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