***Disclaimer: See article titled “TYPES OF COLLEGE ADMISSION PROCESSES” prior to reading this one***

If you are planning to apply Early Action/Early Decision: Whenever students ask me when to start applying for college, I usually tell them during the summer before their senior year. While that is early, I find that it is more effective for students to have their college list and their essays drafted (at least have an idea of what you’re going to write about) around this time so that way they can focus on having strong grades while giving teachers, counselors and mentors enough time to edit their essays/prepare recommendations. That way, when the college applications open in Early August, students are able to crank out those applications and not let their senior year grades tank (which are equally important- read “WHAT’S NEXT” article to see why). Also, having essays/recommendations ready early will take the ease of the teachers who also have their own tasks to accomplish and avoid having them rush through last-minute applications.

If you are planning to apply Regular Decision: I would use Thanksgiving/Winter Break (depending on your school system) to finalize your college list and to draft your essays. For most schools when applying RD, you have until March to apply. So, having your list of colleges, essays, and recommenders in mind when you get back from the break will help students avoid stressing and finishing apps up last minute for the same reasons mentioned above.

If you are applying to a school with a Rolling Application Season: Schools with rolling application season go by their own schedule, I would just advise students to start planning months ahead of the application window to save time, stress and sanity.