1. Always use your personal email address (not your school email address) for any college related materials. You need to be able to access all this information after you graduate!

2. Remember to check your email frequently for important communication from colleges you apply to.

3. SAVE YOUR PASSWORDS for every account you create! You will need to use them over and over.

4. Keep an eye on deadlines and application types. Here are some common terms you'll see:

• Regular admission = the most common way to apply; usually has a deadline

• Rolling admission = usually means they accept students on an ongoing basis, but always check for a deadline

• Early action = applying before the regular admission deadline, usually by November or December; if you apply this way, it shows the college you are motivated to getting your application submitted early. This is recommended if you are applying to a competitive program or are very motivated to attend a certain college.

• Early decision = applying to a school and, upon acceptance, you sign a contract stating that you will withdraw applications from all other schools and commit to that school. You can apply early decision to only one school, and regular admission to others at the same time. But if you get admitted via early decision, you are committing to attend that college.

***THe majority of your college applications should be submitted before thanksgiving!***