Make the next decision manageable.

Finally, senior year is here! This means that you are no longer going to be thinking about applying to college because you will be applying to college. This can be intimidating, but the first step is to create a finalized college list.

Applicants should create a comprehensive list that has a balance of schools that fit their interests, preparation and budget. A balanced list does not guarantee admission.

If SAT or ACT scores are relevant to your college plans, reviewing your testing progress by the end of junior year leaves time for next steps. If students need to take the tests again to improve their score check each college’s latest accepted test date; application and score deadlines vary. However, if students are applying early decision or early action to a college(s) they should finish testing as soon as possible after checking the specific application and score deadlines for that plan.

If juniors find themselves needing to test during senior year they should study over the summer before school starts. Seniors should also prioritize studying during the fall if a further test fits their application plans. The role of these tests depends on each college’s current policy for your applicant group and entry year; they are not everything.

These tests should be taken seriously, but should not cause unhealthy amounts of anxiety and stress. A study plan and practice can help you prepare, but no score guarantees admission.

Building a spike, or extracurricular theme, can help you reflect on your interests during the college application process. Unlike essays and standardized test scores, preparing for and creating a spike requires potentially years of consistent growth in an area that you are truly passionate about. You do not need to manufacture a new activity or theme for admission.

Reflect honestly on the commitments you already have, including work and family responsibilities. Finish developing your interests and focus on conveying it through the activities list and essays on your application.

Colleges specify which application platforms they accept. These may include the Common Application, Coalition with Scoir, or an institution’s own application. Create your account(s) early so you have access to essays and can start writing them as soon as possible.

Also complete the platform’s overall application early so you can focus on the supplemental college applications.

Essays are one of the most important factors in college admissions. Most people think of GPA and test scores as the primary factors, and to an extent they are, but essays are special in that they reveal who you really are to admissions officers. Use this guide to your advantage, be creative, and edit a lot, and you should have some incredible essays to make you stand out in the admissions process.

Getting the best GPA you can in high school is vital. Work as hard as you can and as hard as you need to in order to build a strong academic foundation for the colleges you might apply to. This will take hard work and determination, but you can do it.

Use reported college GPA averages cautiously: high schools use different scales and weighting systems, and an average is not an admissions cutoff. Choose challenging courses you can manage and ask for help when you need it.

Senior year is the year that students need to make final decisions on whom they will ask for letters of recommendation. After careful consideration, applicants need to ask for them, which should be done strategically. Asking as early as possible in senior year is also important.