It’s the time of the school year, where many seniors have just clicked submit on some of their college applications. Colleges that many marauders apply to such as the University of Florida (UF) and Florida State University (FSU) have just closed their applications as of November 1

While UF and FSU only have one regular decision (RD) deadline many schools offer multiple deadlines such as early action (EA) and early decision (ED), along with their RD deadline. The way a student chooses to apply can be determined by several factors such as interest in the school and financial aid. 

Applying ED is a binding application, meaning if you get in you legally have to rescind all other applications and go to the school you applied ED for. EA is not binding, but like ED it allows you to know if you were accepted much earlier than RD applicants as well as increase your chances of acceptance. Applying ED or EA shows colleges you are extremely interested in their school.

The Common Application makes it much easier for students to apply to multiple colleges. Common App allows students to fill out one general application with some variations for each individual college they apply to. Those variations include college questions, supplemental essays, recommendation letters, and inclusion of a resume. 

Seniors have been able to work on their Common Application since August 1, and Maclay even held a College Application Workshop for seniors on August 7 before school started. College Applications are not something to leave to the last minute. Preparing ahead is essential because if something goes wrong, students don’t have time to fix it. This is not a homework grade. It is a plan for a students’ future.

In addition to the standard application, there are scholarship applications. Many students think that scholarship applications comes after college applications are completed, but that can be a dangerous misconception. Many college scholarship applications, especially outside scholarships, are due at the same time if not earlier than college applications.

The next major due date for applications is approaching on January 1. This deadline serves as many schools’ regular decision applications. By this date, most students will be done with the majority of their applications. 

The college application process adds a lot of stress to a student’s senior year. Many questions hang in the air: Which schools to apply to? Should I apply for scholarships? ED, EA, or RD? In state or out of state? There are so many questions and thoughts on a student’s mind. 

This important part of one’s academic career is often the first adult decision a student makes. For some marauders, going to college will be the first time they have ever switched schools. These applications are important and seniors should prepare early and consider all the deadlines and questions when making these important life decisions for their future.