09 Sep Road Map for September: Seniors

Welcome to senior year! This is an exciting time, with plenty to look forward to over the next several months. But as college application season gets underway, there’s also plenty to do—and staying organized now will make the months ahead much easier.

If you haven’t already started your Common Application and personal essay, make those a priority, especially if you’re considering Early Decision or Early Action deadlines. Some of these can be as early as October 15, and I recommend having applications ready to submit at least a week ahead of the deadline. You should also take a close look at the supplemental essays required by the colleges on your list. Map out a complete list of what you’ll need to write and look for overlap among the prompts. You may be able to adapt an essay for more than one school, which can save a lot of time.

Letters of recommendation should also be on your radar. If you asked teachers last spring, check in to make sure they have everything they need, including a résumé or brag sheet if requested. If you haven’t asked yet, do so as soon as possible. I generally recommend having two teacher recommendations in addition to your counselor’s letter; check with your counselor to understand the process your high school uses for letters and transcripts. Recommenders from outside school, such as a coach, employer, or mentor, can be invited through the Common App under the “Recommenders and FERPA section” of one of your schools, and then assigned to additional colleges.

For parents, this is a good time to start preparing for financial aid applications. Check each college’s financial aid requirements and deadlines, including whether it requires the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA. Both of these forms open October 1, but you can get ready by gathering your 2025 tax returns, your bank statements, and information about income and assets. And don’t overlook merit aid: some colleges have earlier deadlines or additional applications for students who want to be considered for scholarships.

Senior fall can feel busy, but tackling these tasks early will help keep the process manageable. If you need help finalizing your college list, working on applications and essays, or navigating the process, I hope you’ll get in touch.