As the fall of 2026 slips away, seniors at Saint John Vianney High School are working on their college applications and working towards staying on top of deadlines. Many students are using platforms like Common App, STARS, and Scoir to complete their applications. Starting early and spreading out the work can help seniors avoid feeling overwhelmed during the busy school year.

College applications can take a lot of time, especially when students are applying to multiple schools. Between schoolwork, extracurriculars, sports, and other responsibilities, it can be difficult to keep track of everything. By planning ahead, seniors can give themselves more time to complete each application carefully.

One way students can stay organized is by starting the application process before the school year gets too busy. Writing supplemental essays early can also help students avoid rushing at the last minute. Getting feedback from teachers, parents, or other people can help students improve their essays before submitting them. Mr. Southern suggests getting your teacher recommendation letters before mid-April. “The best way to keep yourself and your teachers on track is to get everything in early. This provides a stress-free approach to applying in the fall if you have all your materials together,” says Southern. 

Another helpful tip is to sit down with your parents and go over all important personal information needed for the general section of your application. This can make it easier to fill out forms correctly and make sure nothing is missing. Seniors can also create a separate email account just for college-related messages and applications. This keeps important updates and reminders in one place.

Students are also encouraged to submit their applications at least a week before the deadline. However, from personal experience, applying as soon as the portal opens on August 1st is when you should begin submitting to hear back earlier. This gives them extra time in case something needs to be fixed or an issue comes up.

With college deadlines approaching, seniors are learning how important it is to manage their time and stay organized. Taking things one step at a time can make the application process easier and help students feel more prepared for the next stage of their education.