Fall may represent a time of endings for many people, but for high school seniors, it indicates the commencement of one thing: college applications. Notoriously stressful, it may seem as though this process is taking over your life. However, planning and knowledge of the various facets of the application can simplify your life and strengthen your Common Application.

First and foremost, consult your guidance counselors on your plans to apply to colleges. Although it is preferable to schedule an appointment to discuss your situation, emailing them can keep them informed of your plans. Specifically, tell your counselor about your due dates, college list, and testing scores to allow them to write an essay tailored to your specific application. They can also send you scholarships that you would otherwise be unaware of, although it is recommended to start these after your applications are in.

Asking for recommendations is also an important step to take early on in the application process. Giving your teachers ample time to write your recommendation ensures that they will give an accurate and more personalized account of their interactions with you. Additionally, it is recommended to pick teachers from different subjects and clubs to give colleges an idea of your personality in different settings and to ensure that you have a personal relationship with them. Although it is not necessarily bad to ask a teacher from an underclassman course, picking a more recent teacher might be easier for them to write an accurate description of who you are.

Planning when to write your essays is also a crucial part of the application process. Keeping tabs on upcoming due dates is essential to ensure that you do not miss a deadline and miss the opportunity to apply to a college. Additionally, writing your Common Application personal statement and your supplemental essays for every college take far longer than expected, so plan for your essays needing extra time to perfect.

Supplemental essays and extracurriculars play one of the most pivotal parts of your application. These provide colleges with the most direct insight into the applicants, and should thus be written and described honestly. Be sure to highlight the extracurriculars you have put the most time and effort into. For essays, write truthfully because the readers will be able to discern lies from true passion.

Most importantly, however, is to ensure that all of the colleges on your list are viable options that you are truly interested in. While having a backup school, fit school, and dream school are recommended, applying to colleges that you contain a genuine interest is the most important part of the application. College is a personal choice, and the application process is as much as you pick the schools that you feel are a good match as it is the other way around.

Good luck with the process, and trust that you will find the college you are meant to attend.