When should I submit my college application?

Answer 1

This is a popular question my students ask me. My usual piece of advice is: the earlier the better. I urge students to actively work on their applications once they have finalized their list of colleges as well as intended majors. I tell my students to submit applications when:

1. your application fully communicates your skills/character/traits/strengths as a current student to the admissions officers
2. you subtlely express how you can contribute to the institution as a future student
3. your essays are clear, authentic and creative expressions of self that have been reviewed by someone other than yourself (ideally a qualified source)
4. your activity lists are not regurgitations of organization websites or pamphlets but detailed summaries explaining your involvement in novel and refreshing ways
5. when you are feeling like there is nothing left that you can add that would substantially elevate your application

I say the earlier the better for students who feel they check off these items. Of course, this is a bird's eye view and ommits the details. This advice is geared towards students who were highly proactive and are at the tail end of the process who just need some sense of reassurance NOT for applicants who breezed through the sections in a matter of hours. Broad strokes just won't do. That said, there is no point or advantage in applying early if you don't have a solid application. This would be missing the forest for the trees.

Admissions boards are swimming in a sea of statements and applications. According to recent Common Application data, there were 7,057,980 applications in the 2022-2023 cycle. This is a wapping 30% increase from 2019-2020 application cycle. This is just the Common Application! Competition is at an all-time high so give yourself the best chance of admission by make sure you are being proactive, productive and punctual!