The complete college application process can seem daunting, particularly if students don’t have siblings or parents who’ve already been through it and can offer advice. And because there are so many steps along the way, like obtaining letters of recommendation and writing an essay, professionals say an acceptable method for students to get started on this matter is to create a to-do planning checklist during their junior year of high school. According to education consultants, making such a checklist will help you visualize everything, know the number of tasks and the schedule to do them, and simplify a lot of things for prospective college students.

So if you will be applying to college soon, sitting down and creating a comprehensive college application checklist is in your best interest. As there are so many essential pieces to the college application process, you certainly won’t want to miss a single one. Below, you can find the most critical steps to create a college application checklist outlined to help you craft a thorough college application plan.

Designate A Spreadsheet Or Calendar For Your Plan

To begin with, you’ll probably need to keep track of a lot of information, so you’ll want to create an Excel spreadsheet or a calendar to keep track of your progress, deadlines, and admission requirements. Make sure to label everything clearly and set strict deadlines for accomplishing each task along the way.

Determine The Colleges You’ll Apply To

The next step is to narrow your search down to a few specific colleges and check the actual costs of attending these colleges and their admission requirements. Make sure that you check into fees, admission requirements like the average GPA you’ll need to have and if there are any other entrance exam scores, and what you’ll be foreseen to contribute financially and how much financial aid you can expect to receive as you select which colleges to apply to.

Once you’ve narrowed down your options, record these educational institutions in your calendar and/or spreadsheet and label each one based on how likely you are to get into it.

Prepare For And Set Up Entrance Exams

The next step for your planning checklist is determining whether you’ll need to take the SAT, the ACT, or both entrance exams for each of your desired colleges. If you wonder how to get better grades to qualify for the institutions you’re interested in, you should know that it’s wise to timely invest in proper college preparation courses, tutorship programs, books, classes, and schedule the exam dates ahead of time so that you have enough time on your hands to prepare for them.

Write Down The Deadlines And Take Care Of All Application Requirements

On your planning checklist, right next to each desired college, you’ll need to list all the deadlines and admission requirements as they will differ from one another depending on each particular college. In addition, ensure to mark the deadlines in your calendar as well. Be cautious about giving yourself enough time to accomplish each task, and keep in mind that some pieces of information and documents are more challenging to get than others.

In some instances, you’ll need to rely on others to be responsible for accomplishing specific tasks and obtaining application requirements. For example, you’ll probably need to ask your high school counselor to send over your transcripts, so give them adequate notice ahead of time.

Schedule Campus Visits

In case you get stuck trying to decide between two acceptances without actually seeing either campus, you’ll want to visit these colleges in person before you make your final decision. For that reason, check out the official websites of these institutions, find out when campus tours are available, and write down the dates of interest in your planning checklist.

Request Letters Of Recommendation

Among other things, you’ll also need letters of recommendation from high-school teachers, coaches, pastors, and other professionals who know you well. In some instances, the college will only accept letters of recommendation from the school counselor, so make sure that you’re on good terms with them and that they know you well.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is a college application planning checklist?

A college application planning checklist is a comprehensive list of tasks and deadlines that students can use to navigate the college application process effectively. It serves as a roadmap, outlining the necessary steps from researching colleges to submitting applications.

2. Why is it important to have a college application planning checklist?

Having a college application planning checklist is important because it helps students stay organized and ensures that they don't miss any important deadlines or requirements. It provides a clear structure and timeline for the application process, reducing stress and increasing efficiency.

3. What should be included in a college application planning checklist?

A college application planning checklist should include key components such as researching colleges, creating a list of target schools, understanding application requirements, gathering necessary documents, preparing for standardized tests, writing essays and personal statements, securing letters of recommendation, completing financial aid forms, and submitting applications by specified deadlines.

4. When should I start using a college application planning checklist?

It is recommended to start using a college application planning checklist as early as possible, preferably during the junior year of high school. This allows sufficient time for research, test preparation, essay writing, and obtaining necessary documents.

5. How can a college application planning checklist help me stay organized and on track during the application process?

A college application planning checklist helps students stay organized and on track by breaking down the application process into manageable tasks. It provides a clear timeline, helping students prioritize their activities and avoid procrastination. By following the checklist, students can ensure they are meeting deadlines, giving themselves ample time to review and revise their materials, and submit applications that represent their best work. It also allows for tracking progress and identifying any areas that may require additional attention or support.

Final Thoughts

Once you’ve got your planning checklist in order, you’ll need to motivate yourself and stick with the plan. To do that, consider the following suggestions:

● Set reminders for each task on your devices;
● Write all deadlines on a calendar you check frequently;
● Celebrate completing each task with a reward.

While the entire process may seem difficult at first, you’ll see it’s not intimidating if you break it down into achievable milestones. Complete all the tasks from your planning checklist and get yourself into your desired college.