With college application deadlines on the way, the confusion and treachery of submitting everything grows for students who have not yet finished applications.
The deadline for a majority of colleges’ regular decisions is January 1st. For students seeking to get their applications done earlier, the deadlines for early action falls around November 1st.
On top of the college applications themselves, a number of SWHS students are working to meet other deadlines for financial aid and scholarships. FAFSA, the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, helps ease the load of financial pressure off of students and families. FAFSA is the government-run financial aid program that offers options for families looking for aid to afford schooling. FAFSA completion is recommended for every student looking to go to college. Although, it contributes to the pile of things for seniors to complete on their college path, it is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Thus, seniors applying for financial aid need to look at the financial aid page for every college they are applying to for individual deadlines.
“I think it’s pretty confusing,” SWHS senior Liam Cayward says. “There isn’t much focus on how to set [FAFSA] up until it gets down to the last few months when it needs to be done.”
Time management and budgeting are obstacles students will most likely encounter as they begin their first year of college. Efficient time management is critical during the application process. Colleges are fast paced and challenging, so being prepared to take everything head on is a good habit to get into.
The senior college application season is a pressure-cooker. The short window demands that students meet rigorous deadlines while teachers juggle open houses and last-minute requests for letters of recommendation.
To help manage this intense workload, the school has a strong support system in place. The School Counseling Office provides personalized guidance through individual meetings and organization assistance, helping every student manage their load throughout the season.
“A common mistake that I see seniors make during the application process is with management of timelines,” SWHS Counselor Jillian Dobosz explained. “They sneak up faster than students expect them to, and there’s usually a rush right at the end to get everything done at the last minute,” “Being as organized as possible and making a list of schools you’re applying to as well as all of the deadlines will help. Continuously check that list and have a plan of how you’re going to tackle all of the components.”
Making the final decision on where to go to a college is difficult, but having the chance to go onto campuses and experience the environment is a tremendous help for students. Going to open houses, tours, and meetings with admissions officers are great ways to narrow down the list of where to apply to college. Another thing to consider is any free application dates or windows that the schools offer. Typically, colleges will offer an option to waive the application price for their school. The costs of applications for public and private institutions are around $50-$100, which can add up fast depending on how many schools a student chooses to apply for.
Despite all of the tasks to worry about, it’s important to remember that there are various support systems in South Windsor High that have been through countless successful college application seasons.
Some advice, create a flexible schedule that allows you breaks. Students should prioritize tasks, set realistic goals and learn to say no in order to avoid over committing. Finally, find free times in your calendar for down-time and to practice self care in order to avoid burnout.
