Seniors, it’s time. College is quickly approaching, and most of you probably have no idea how to start. Luckily, I’m here: recommendation letters, deadlines, supplemental essay overview, and Common Application will all be covered.
If you haven’t asked teachers for recommendations, I highly encourage you to ask as soon as possible; give the teachers as much time so they don’t force a bland and unoriginal letter to meet the deadline. First off, ask the teacher in person. Make sure it’s a teacher you had for at least an entire year, and make sure it’s a teacher you know. By that, I mean a teacher you formed a relationship with, not a class where you got a good grade. After asking the teacher in person, formally invite them through SCOIR. This is where they can look at your activities, grades, and more to get a holistic picture of you as a student. To invite them formally on SCOIR, login, click on My Colleges, click the bubble that says Add New Request, type the teacher name, put a note indicating the deadline date for the letter, and send–celebrate that you are one step closer to finishing your application.
Next up, deadlines. Make sure you have a Common App account. This is a must since this is where you will submit your final application for essentially any college. After making an account, click My Colleges and list your top schools. Aim for at least 2 safeties (schools that you meet the academic requirements for), 3-4 matches (schools that you adequately meet the criteria), and 2-3 reaches (schools that you might not necessarily fit the academic requirements, but these are your dream schools). After filling this out, go to the dashboard and click the top right bubble that says Application Requirements. This is where all your deadlines for the schools you added to your list are. Keep in mind, early decision, early action, and regular are all different. Make sure you know what deadline you are going for and plan accordingly.
Okay, so supplementals. Although not every college requires them, high-level schools require additional essays and the Common App Essay. Thankfully, Common App has all the prompts. Click on the specific college, scroll down to Writing Requirements, and type away!
A lot goes into the college application process, so you must give yourself time. Time is key, but everyone at Saint Joe is more than capable of completing their applications on time.
