How do you keep the college application process organized?

I've started applying to colleges and it's kinda overwhelming to keep track of everything. What are your best tips for organizing the application process, like deadlines, essays, and other requirements? Any specific tools or methods that you found helpful?

Absolutely, keeping everything organized during the college application process is crucial in order to meet deadlines and submit the best possible applications. Here are a few tips and tools you might find helpful:

1. Use Spreadsheets - Excel or Google Sheets can be your best friends during this time. Create a comprehensive spreadsheet for each college where you jot down key application deadlines, required tests, minimum GPA, recommendation letter requirements, and essay prompts. This way, you know exactly what each college needs from you and when.

2. Calendar Alerts - Use your email or phone calendar to set reminders for your deadlines. This is a good way to ensure that nothing slips past you. Set your reminders at least a week or two before the deadline to give yourself enough time to complete all tasks.

3. Folders for Each College - Create individual folders (either physical or digital) for each college you are applying to. This is where you can store your essays, school reports, letters of recommendation, and any correspondence with the college.

4. Checklists - For each college, write a checklist detailing the different components of your application (like common app, supplementary essays, school reports, recommendation letters, test scores, college-specific forms), and tick them off as you complete them. This helps ensure you've completed every part of your application.

5. Use a Project Management Tool - Tools like Trello or Asana are fantastic for breaking down and tracking your progress on larger tasks such as college applications. On these platforms, you can automate reminders, divide projects into sub-tasks and visualize your progress.

6. Take Advantage of CollegeVine's Tools - CollegeVine has several tools that can help streamline your college application process, like the Chancing Engine which gives you an idea of where you stand in terms of admission chances at various colleges, or the CollegeVine Essay Manager tool, which helps you stay organized with your college essays.

Remember, it's important to start early and give yourself plenty of time to complete each component of your application. Good luck!