Keeping Track Of Your Applications
Students and their parents often ask for a way of keeping track of their applications, including what needs to be done by when and a system for making sure that all pieces of an application are completed. adMISSION POSSIBLE offers six grids/checklists to help you do that. Click on any of the lists below to gain access to a color, printable PDF as it appears in The Checklists section of this website.

1. Information You Need Before Filling Out Applications
(Everything about you, your parents, siblings, your school, courses and grades, testing    information, etc. that you need to complete your college applications) http://admissionpossible.com/checklists/infoforapps.pdf

2.  Materials To Gather Before Completing Applications
(Everything you need for completing your applications, including a filing system, equipment, stationery items and mailing supplies)
http://admissionpossible.com/checklists/materialforapps.pdf

3.  Master Admissions Checklist
(A checklist of everything you need to do for all of your applications)
http://admissionpossible.com/checklists/masteradmichecklist.pdf

4. Master Application Due Dates Grid
(A grid that organizes when your applications are due)
http://admissionpossible.com/checklists/appduedates.pdf

5.  Individual Application Checklist
(An individual checklist of things to do for one college application)
http://admissionpossible.com/checklists/indappchecklist.pdf
           
6.  Master Essay Grid
(A grid to write out the short, long, supplemental, and optional essay questions (and their respective topics) for each college.)
http://admissionpossible.com/checklists/essaygrid.pdf

These checklists and grids are also available in the color, printable version of Guide 11, Completing Undergraduate Applications:  How To Make Your Best Case To The Colleges.

Pick and choose from these different tools for whatever seems to make sense to you.

FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEAR TIMELINE FOR COMPLETING COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Freshmen and sophomores might find some sort of cardboard or plastic file box to place application materials that they collect.

JUNIOR YEAR TIMELINE FOR COMPLETING COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
Junior year is a good time to develop individual college file folders so that you have a place for admission rep business cards, personal notes or college-specific materials you collect at college fairs, from newspaper, magazine or Internet articles or while visiting colleges.

Fall Semester
Juniors can get an edge on their peers by acting on these suggestions in the fall:

• Because the best test tutors are often booked way in advance, this is a good time to begin the process of finding the best one for you.

• Take the October PSAT.

• Take a practice SAT and ACT (often offered free by the likes of Princeton Review) to see which test better suits you.

• November is the only time students can take a Language with Listening Subject Test (e.g., Spanish or French with Listening).

• Junior year is the most critical year for getting good grades. Get a jump-start first semester.

• Junior year is also the time to develop leadership positions in whatever you do, or lay the groundwork for such positions in your senior year.

• Begin thinking about your college list and making contact with the college reps assigned to your high school from every college.

• As your family takes trips and vacations, drive through college campuses that are on your way to your final destination.

• Give some extra attention to your high school counselor (who will complete the college Secondary School Reports for you next fall) and special teachers who might be writing recommendations.