College applications… dreaded by some, welcomed by others, and ignored by a select few (until the last minute). “So much to do, so little time,” is a common phrase among seniors applying to various schools across the US and, in some cases, across the globe. Through the mayhem of changing deadlines, application statuses, receiving and sending test scores, and maintaining grades, this time of year is quite hectic for seniors.

November 1st is the Early Action deadline for most colleges; November 15 is the Early Decision deadline at most schools. Next up is Regular Decision, due January 1st. My advice to anyone applying to college next year, or even the upcoming years, is to start every aspect of the application process early. How early depends on how many schools you are looking at, the selectivity of the schools, and how long it will take you to answer the essay(s). Also, if the schools you are looking at require standardized test scores, make sure you take your time to learn about each test, whether it is the ACT, SAT, or SAT subject tests. Each test has a different format and it is to your own benefit to understand the intricacies of each test in order to maximize your score.