5 Tips for Staying Organized During the College Application Process
We all remember how overwhelming the college process can be (a little too vividly at times). But now looking back on it, there are a lot of helpful tips I was given that allowed me to stay sane throughout. I have compiled a list of my five best tips that will help you all stay organized while applying in the coming weeks. Before we begin, I want you to take a deep breath (inhale… exhale…) and try to remember that everything will be okay in the end. Best of luck and I hope these help!
Create a google spreadsheet with all the colleges you’re applying to, the deadlines for those colleges, and the corresponding supplements. This will allow you to have a master spreadsheet where you can keep track of what you have left to do, Click below for the sample spreadsheet I created.
2. Add all deadlines, including applications and financial aid, to a Google Calendar or master calendar so that you don’t miss anything. Most of these online calendars will send you reminders, at whatever date/time you choose, so you can keep yourself accountable and never forget an upcoming deadline.
3. Create a master writing document for your brainstorming when it comes to your personal essay and supplements. This way you have all of your ideas and outlines compiled in one document for whenever you feel stuck while writing. Sometimes, colleges will ask similar questions for their supplements and this list may help you draw inspiration from other answers you have written.
4. Get ahead, set deadlines for yourself on when you want to have things written by so that you can keep yourself accountable and can have more time to edit if necessary. Use your calendar or even notes to have constant visual cues along the way.
5. Organize any mail, tour pamphlets, or information from fairs/visits into separate folders based on the type of school you are applying to (i.e. liberal arts colleges). This will help keep all of your information in an easily accessible place whenever you need to reference it.
