As Early Action/Early Decision deadlines are approaching, seniors are working hard on their college essays to submit by the November 1 deadline. Whether you’re submitting early applications or only applying Regular Decision to colleges, here are some tips to help you stay on track and reduce your stress:

• Finalize your college list—This may go without saying, but before you can start working on your essays, you have to figure out which colleges you’re applying to. Research colleges that interest you because of programs for your intended major, athletics, future career path, social life, etc. Look into their acceptance rates, as well as average tests scores and GPAs of admitted students, and make sure you have a mix of safety (you will definitely get in), target (students with similar academic/extracurricular profiles as you usually get in), and reach (you have a low chance of getting accepted) schools.

• Ask for teacher letters of recommendation ASAP—If you haven’t already reached out to your teachers requesting letters of recommendation, do so as soon as possible. Many ask their teachers as early as the end of their junior year. Even if you won’t be submitting any applications until January, you should give your teachers adequate notice to write your recommendations to make sure they are of high quality. Most schools require one or two letters of recommendation, and some even ask for three, so make sure to check the requirements of the schools you’re applying to. You should first ask your teachers in person to write the letter, then request a recommendation on Naviance. 

• Start early—Procrastinating your applications will only bring you more stress. Make sure to give yourself enough time to complete your applications, including the questions on the Common App, the main college essay (known as the Personal Statement), and any school-specific supplemental essays.
• Go on college tours—Visiting and touring schools can help you determine which schools are a good fit for you, and which schools you may hate the campuses of. Additionally, some schools require a “Why Us” essay, where they want you to explain why you want to go to that particular school, and visiting the campus and attending tours/information sessions is a great way to come up with reasons.

• Submit at least 1-2 days before the deadline—Most people end up waiting until the deadline to submit their applications, and this high amount of online traffic can sometimes cause the website to crash (though, maybe not as dramatically as the Taylor Swift Ticketmaster fiasco). To make sure your applications will be submitted smoothly, aim to submit at least a day or two before the deadline.   

There are many resources available to help you with all of your applications and essays. Once again, make sure you stay ahead of schedule so you’ll be less stressed in the future!