04 Sep Road Map for September: Seniors

Senior year is officially underway, and I’m so excited for all that lies ahead for you. While there will be plenty of fun milestones this year, there’s also important work to focus on as college application season ramps up.

If you haven’t yet gotten started on your Common Application or personal essay, now is the time—especially if you’re aiming for Early Decision or Early Action deadlines in October or November. Don’t forget about supplemental essays either. Start by identifying every essay you’ll need to write, then look for ways to reuse themes or topics across schools. With smart planning, you can adapt essays rather than starting from scratch each time.

Another top priority is securing your letters of recommendation. If you already asked teachers or your counselor during the spring or summer, this is the time to follow up and make sure they have everything they need. If you haven’t yet asked, do it now to give them plenty of time before deadlines. Plan on two teacher recommendations in addition to your counselor’s letter. Some colleges also welcome letters from coaches, employers, or mentors who know you well.

For parents, financial aid season is just around the corner. The FAFSA and CSS Profile will open on time this year on October 1, and the FAFSA is currently in a beta testing period. (If you’d like to be part of the testing and complete your FAFSA early, click here.) The student will need an FSA ID. This can take a few days to process, but you can request it now. (New this year: only students, not parents or other contributors, must do this before starting the FAFSA form.) Now is also the time to gather bank statements, 2024 tax returns, and other financial documents. Each college sets its own deadlines, with some earlier if you want merit scholarship consideration, so carefully check requirements for every school on your list.

It’s an exciting and busy season. If you need help finalizing your college list, completing applications and essays, and generally navigating the process, I hope you’ll get in touch.