Winter vacation is the perfect time for high school seniors to take advantage of a well-needed break from their late night studying and the juggling of sports, work, and clubs. It is a time to catch up on sleep, enjoy the holidays, and of course, cross a few things off the college application checklist :)  Here are a few suggestions to help seniors get organized and help reduce future stress: 

Get Organized:

Students have already submitted their Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) college applications, but there are still some important steps to complete over break. The holiday break is also an ideal time for students to submit any outstanding college applications for the Regular Decision (RD) deadlines.  

• 2 General Reminders: 

Supporting Materials: Be certain your teacher & guidance counselor recommendation letters and transcripts have been uploaded to the Common Application prior to break in case you have any issues while working on your applications over vacation. 

Admission Portals: Most colleges provide access to their admission portal so that students can check the status of their applications.  Students should confirm that the colleges have received all of the supplemental materials (transcript, high school profile, recommendation letters). A student’s application will not be reviewed until all materials have been received. If a student has not received a portal email notification from a college, call the college’s admission office.

• Regular Decision Applications: 

Complete your Regular Decision Applications first - and as soon as possible. Enjoy the rest of the break knowing that the last of the college applications have been submitted. 

Confirm application deadlines and required materials needed, complete the final edits on the main college essay, and check ahead of time for any supplemental essays to complete for the remaining Regular Decision applications. 

And, whatever you do- do not wait till 12/31/22 to submit your 1/1/23 applications. Nothing good will come from that! 

• College List: Once the applications are complete, create a spreadsheet with the final list of colleges. Recommended information includes: college name, campus visit status,  “Acceptance Students Day ‘’ dates, intended major, scholarship deadlines, and any other college criteria that is important.

• College Tuition:  Once accepted by a college, add the cost of attendance and include  any merit awards & financial aid offered to the spreadsheet - this will help the student and family compare the financial commitments for each college. FREE resource: email us if you would like the spreadsheet we use. 

• Financial Aid Forms:  Complete and submit the FAFSA and CSS forms (if required). Each school posts their deadlines on the financial aid page of their website.  Rule of thumb - ED and EA financial aid forms are usually due in the fall of the student’s senior year and RD forms are usually due by the 1st of the new year. 

• College List- 2nd Glance: Take a moment to evaluate, one last time, the college list. Would the student be happy to attend any of the colleges on the list, especially the  “likelys”.  Having a balanced college list: 2 or 3 likely, probable, and selective colleges will allow the student a broader range of possibilities. Lastly, take the time to reflect the colleges on the list.  Is there a school that’s missing- perhaps a dream school?  If it is - dream - and apply! 

Schedule Campus Tours:

• The best way to truly understand whether a college is the right fit is to visit the campus. There is no better way to explore the campus setting and see the students who attend than to visit when the school is in session - so it’s best not to visit campuses over winter break, but plan your campus tour schedule for the spring. 

• Best touring tip: Attend as many “Accepted Student Days” as possible!  The special visit days, generally scheduled in March and April, offer a variety of informational sessions as well as tours to view dorm options, academic buildings, and student recreation facilities.   Some colleges will host Early Action Acceptance Days as early as February so be certain to check the college website. The colleges roll out the red carpet- it is a fun day! 

Don’t Let your Academic Guard Down:  

Make a plan to finish the year strong! Colleges will definitely review the final transcript at the end of the academic year to be certain the student has completed the necessary credits and that their grades are still in good-standing.  A college acceptance can be rescinded if the requirements have not been fulfilled or grades plummet.  

Balancing work and play is an important part of maintaining good mental health. The winter break can achieve both!  Take time to also do what you love most. And maybe if you run out of fun things to do, you can have your mom & dad teach you how to do laundry and make a budget - helpful skills in college!  

Good luck and enjoy the journey!   

College 101 Admissions Consultants LLC. Website: 

www.mycollege101.com.  

Email: [email protected]. 

Phone: (508) 380-3845.

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