Before You Hit That Submit Button
So, it seems like you finally have everything sorted out. You requested those test scores, you're still days away from the deadline, and you should feel ready to go. But something is still bothering you. Maybe it's the finality of pressing that submit button, or maybe it's the fact that the reality is catching up to you: you're really starting to embark on a new chapter in your life. To help make you feel a little bit less stressed, here is a checklist of things you need to do before you hit that submit button.
Three Weeks Before Deadline:
1. Make sure you requested anything that takes awhile to get sent to a college.
While most colleges are pretty lenient about getting in everything else except your application by the deadline (such as transcripts, test scores, and teacher recommendations), I would recommend you get everything in by the deadline. That way, if there are delays, you can rest easy.
2. If you haven't done so, finish writing any essays that need to be written.
If your school has supplemental essays or additional questions (make sure you know FOR SURE what the writing requirements are), get those done! As a bunch of friends have told you in the previous post, starting early is imperative. You don't want to be the person who's sending in low-quality essays just because you procrastinated. This is probably the one time you shouldn't procrastinate.
One Week Before Deadline:
1. Wrap it up.
You should have your personal information and the like finished by this point, since it's so easy to fill out. There's no harm in rechecking everything, because you might be in serious trouble if you're presenting information that isn't exactly 100% correct. Double check that test scores, recommendations, and anything else are well on their way to the school.
2. Polish your essays.
Quadruple check for typos. Read it out loud. Have someone look over it for you if you don't trust your own eyes. Silly mistakes are a huge turn-off for many colleges, so don't sacrifice your chances of getting in because you couldn't spell something properly, or you don't know how to form a proper sentence.
When You're Ready to Submit:
Take a deep breath. Let it out, and hit submit (by the way, don't do this at 11:56 PM the day it's due; submit it at least a good 12 hours before the deadline). Submitting an app is a huge deal, so treat yourself to something nice. You deserve it!
Three Weeks Before Deadline:
1. Make sure you requested anything that takes awhile to get sent to a college.
While most colleges are pretty lenient about getting in everything else except your application by the deadline (such as transcripts, test scores, and teacher recommendations), I would recommend you get everything in by the deadline. That way, if there are delays, you can rest easy.
2. If you haven't done so, finish writing any essays that need to be written.
If your school has supplemental essays or additional questions (make sure you know FOR SURE what the writing requirements are), get those done! As a bunch of friends have told you in the previous post, starting early is imperative. You don't want to be the person who's sending in low-quality essays just because you procrastinated. This is probably the one time you shouldn't procrastinate.
One Week Before Deadline:
1. Wrap it up.
You should have your personal information and the like finished by this point, since it's so easy to fill out. There's no harm in rechecking everything, because you might be in serious trouble if you're presenting information that isn't exactly 100% correct. Double check that test scores, recommendations, and anything else are well on their way to the school.
2. Polish your essays.
Quadruple check for typos. Read it out loud. Have someone look over it for you if you don't trust your own eyes. Silly mistakes are a huge turn-off for many colleges, so don't sacrifice your chances of getting in because you couldn't spell something properly, or you don't know how to form a proper sentence.
When You're Ready to Submit:
Take a deep breath. Let it out, and hit submit (by the way, don't do this at 11:56 PM the day it's due; submit it at least a good 12 hours before the deadline). Submitting an app is a huge deal, so treat yourself to something nice. You deserve it!
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