If you’re applying to college this fall, you can (and should!) be thinking about and getting a head start on your applications — even though most don’t open until mid-summer. Let’s look at the application timeline and why starting early is crucial. We also offer some college application tips to maximize your chances of success.

If you’re a college-bound high school student, you are likely already aware that it’s important to build a strong profile for college admissions. Colleges wants you to demonstrate on your application how you developed and deepened your academic interests throughout high school. A good way to do this is through academic enrichment.

In the context of college admissions, leadership can significantly enhance a student’s profile, showcasing their ability to influence, inspire, and drive positive change. High school students can find many ways to develop essential leadership skills to make a meaningful impact — and they don’t have to take on leadership roles to do it.

Whether you’re in ninth, 10th, or 11th grade, it’s important to find any opportunity you can to build a strong profile for college applications. One of the best ways to build a strong profile is by participating in summer programs — though it’s important to get an early start to avoid missing application deadlines.

If you have started researching schools for your college list, you may wonder about the pros and cons of community colleges versus four-year colleges. Both types of colleges offer unique benefits and challenges that can shape your educational journey and future career. Learning the advantages and disadvantages of these options can help you decide which path is right for you.

In a recent interview on the Smartless podcast, renowned scientist and MIT professor Max Tegmark was asked how he explains his job to people he just met. If he doesn’t feel like talking to the person asking, he explained, he simply says he works in physics, which is boring and confusing enough that there are typically no follow-up questions.

Setting goals is a great way to motivate yourself to achieve something that’s meaningful to you. And if getting into college is a major goal, then you can break it down into smaller, more manageable steps related to academic performance and expanding your knowledge in areas of interest. These two go together, and both are important for college admissions.  

If you’re planning to go to college, it’s essential to make all four years of high school count. Colleges look at your entire high school record — courses, grades, activities, and more — when evaluating college applications. They want to see how you have progressed over your time in high school and if you’re truly ready for the rigors of a college education. So, whether it’s your first year in high school, your senior year, or somewhere in between, these resources can help you on your path to higher education. 

While college may feel like a distant challenge on the horizon, it’s important for high school students to choose their classes carefully to begin preparing for their next academic milestone. Admissions officers will review the courses students take from their first year of high school onwards, which is why it’s crucial to be selective about the classes you’re taking to ensure they align with your long-term goals.

Who says preparing to apply to college can’t be enjoyable? Of course, college prep still involves working hard, earning the best grades possible, and achieving your target scores on standardized tests, but there’s a lot you can control about the process that can — and should — be fun.