How Should I Organize My College Application Process?

I'm a high school junior trying to keep track of all my college applications. Are there any good software tools out there that help organize everything, like deadlines, essays, and recommendations? Any tips on staying on top of it all?

Staying organized during the application process is key and fortunately, there are many tools available to assist in this.

Consider using a project management tool, such as Trello, Google Sheets, or Asana. These applications allow you to create tasks or cards for each college requirement like essays, deadlines, recommendations, etc., and you can easily track your progress with each.

For example, Trello works like a digital corkboard, where you can add, move, and categorize tasks through colorful cards representing each college application component. This tool can be particularly useful for visual learners.

Google Sheets, on the other hand, provides a great overview of your dates and tasks. You can create separate columns for each college, and add rows for distinct tasks, like 'Common App Essay', 'Supplemental Essay 1', 'Request Rec Letters', and so on.

Asana is similar to Trello in its task orientation, but comes with more robust features like subtasks, dependencies, and timeline views, making it useful for more detailed planning.

While these tools can streamline your application process, remember that maintaining organization isn’t just about the tool you use. You also need a strategic plan. Start by noting down all your colleges’ deadlines in a calendar - pay attention to their Early Action/ Early Decision vs. Regular Decision deadlines. Start working on the tasks with the earliest deadlines first.

Next, create a list of all recommendations you need and approach your teachers as early as possible. Provide them with all necessary materials and inform them about the deadlines to ensure they have adequate time to compose their letters.

For essays, manage your time strategically; break down the writing process into stages (planning, drafting, revising, and finalizing), and assign timelines to each stage. Use the prompts provided by the colleges to guide your essay writing. Remember, each essay should be unique and tailored to each college.

Remember, staying on top of the college application process requires a balance between having a good organizational tool and being disciplined in following through with your plan. Best of luck in your application process.