Lessons learned 2025-2026

[Anonymous]

For current MCPS senior parents, now that college application process is almost done and some acceptances are hopefully in hand - any lessons learned, things you would do differently, things that you think may have helped or advice for us anxious parents of juniors and sophomores out here? TIA!

[Anonymous]

Why don't you pay $ instead of being cheap to get free advice? COLLEGES forum
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1309583.page

[Anonymous]

From the MCPS forum if you are too scared to venture into the Colleges forum:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1184011.page

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:For current MCPS senior parents, now that college application process is almost done and some acceptances are hopefully in hand - any lessons learned, things you would do differently, things that you think may have helped or advice for us anxious parents of juniors and sophomores out here? TIA!

Start early -

Junior Year -
*do a college search to determine colleges you think would be a good match for you
*ask teachers for a letter of recommendation before the end of the school year - many teachers will write them in the summer
*do some college visits - this can be done in the local area in order to get a feel for large school versus small, city vs suburban vs rural, etc

Summer-
*set up common app account and start entering information (classes, activities, etc)
*write common app essay
*start the supplemental (extra) essays listed by each college

Senior year -
*check back in with teachers - can they still write letter of recommendation?
*have some read over the common app essay and give feedback - sometimes this will be an assignment in English class, writing center at MC will read it over if you are early college or dual enrollment student
*finalize your common app
*connect common app to naviance
*talk with counselor / college and career coordinator about how to request transcripts etc


Try to be finished in time for early action deadlines. Most of UMD admissions are people who applied early action, even if they are not admitted until after regular decision


I am sure I am missing things to do. In general, start early and spread out the job. There is a lot to do. You do not want to wait until start of senior year. It will be overwhelming.

[Anonymous]

READ

[Anonymous]

- Start early.
- Don’t assume or believe your rising senior understands thoughtful planning and follow-up.
- Do visits to different types of schools(closed campus, city campus, small/large)
- Look past the school names you have heard of. There are lots of schools out there.
-