Anonymous
07/24/2025 13:45
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
DD is done with the SATS, has her school list finalized, and is pretty much done with the Common App essay. But she's applying as a double major with a performing art so she has many, many hours of work left on her artistic supplemental apps and she still needs to wordsmith her activity list. One of the supplemental apps is due in Sept but the Common App has to be submitted before she can turn it in, so August will really be crunch time for her. The bright side is she'll have the Common App stuff done by the end of August and she'll be able to fly through the rest of them.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 13:36
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
We are now at the point of stating a 3.8 GPA and 1500+ is nothing to feel good about as a parent? Yikes.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 13:34
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My rising senior is aware of the Common app.
I love it when the normal people chime in on this forum occasionally.
Agree, I have one of those and another that is “extra” in every way. I share from both perspectives. It’s a needed balance on here.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 13:33
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
Anonymous wrote:My rising senior is aware of the Common app.
I love it when the normal people chime in on this forum occasionally.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 13:32
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
My rising senior is aware of the Common app.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 13:30
Subject: Re:Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
We have a college counselor (have twins so felt like a lot to take on by myself). Her goal seems to have pretty much everything done by the time schools starts in September. Their activity list and essay is done for both of them. One has a few supplemental essays done, the other hasn't started those. It feels a little aggressive timeline to me but they're handling it well and still have had plenty of time for internships and hanging out with friends fwiw.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 13:03
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
Anonymous wrote:Just want some reality checks to know whether DC is too far off since we have no private counselor, and I am the one keeping track on the schedule: Currently DC is still busy with his summer camp and doesn't spent time on his common app or college applications. He took SAT twice already with a score 1500+, will take one in August. WGPA 3.85+. Visited his dream school in June which he has decided to ED1. Have two more campus visit scheduled in the next two weeks. He has just gotten his driver's license and promised to work on his college app in August.
Okay 👍
Anonymous
07/24/2025 11:43
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
If you have a kid that likes to get ahead, I think doing the activity list (descriptions take time), and working or even brainstorming on anecdotes for essays is worth the effort. I have a strong writer but not a fluffy one, stem kid. The writing they produced finalizing regular decision applications was far superior, so getting it all in motion for that process is time well spent.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 11:43
Subject: Re:Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
My kid is focusing on Aug SATs since she has to raise her score by 200 points. Essay draft is done. Draft of activity list done. We've visited 2 colleges this summer and one more to go in August. Other than that she's been working part time and hanging out a lot with her friends and boyfriend.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 11:38
Subject: Re:Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
My Kid - mentally wants to wait until August 1st for essays.
EC Activity List is pretty done in draft form. Transcript is pretty good coming out of 11th so plan on a bunch of Early deadline options.
has a 1400 on SAT but wants to get another 10 points on August test for UVA ED - otherwise will do TO.
As a parent I am nervous about senior year workload, sports, sick grandparents and potential job layoffs throwing everything off the rails. Would prefer to get as much done early as possible. but, it will be fine!
EC Activity List is pretty done in draft form. Transcript is pretty good coming out of 11th so plan on a bunch of Early deadline options.
has a 1400 on SAT but wants to get another 10 points on August test for UVA ED - otherwise will do TO.
As a parent I am nervous about senior year workload, sports, sick grandparents and potential job layoffs throwing everything off the rails. Would prefer to get as much done early as possible. but, it will be fine!
Anonymous
07/24/2025 11:36
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
Anonymous wrote:Not every one is making clay pot or running through sprinklers. It’s fine if yours is but don’t get angry at others who are working hard and having fun at the same time.
As long as you don’t get angry when our kids end up at the same school.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 11:35
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
OP- sorry for the horrible people on here. Your kid is fine, in a great spot with stats- you certainly don't need to worry about improving test scores, etc. (some people at this point are scrambling to do so!). My advice would be to get the common app essay done before school starts, and get a good start on the supplementals- those will come out at most schools in about a week. My oldest kid had a "rough draft" of his CA essay done by Sept 1, but ended up rewriting & editing it until the deadline and then those supplementals really piled up. Needless to say, it was a much more stressful fall semester than we wished it had been. Especially when merit aid / ED deadlines are typically Nov. 1st. So our D26 knows that we want her CA essay completed by Aug. 15, and good rough drafts of supplementals by then, too. The good news is that you'll see common themes among most of the supplemental essays, so you can basically write 5-6 essays and tweak them to fit most schools. Good luck to you- expect some arguments & tears and know that you'll get through it (box wine helps)!
Anonymous
07/24/2025 11:21
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Why do you feel the neee to share the GPA and test scores in your question? They’re not relevant to where he needs or should be in the process. Just wanting to brag I guess?
NP, stats are relevant as standard for how polished common app and essays will need to be will differ if chasing top schools versus a state school that is stats driven.
Umm, surprised this is event controversial? Plenty of popular SEC schools for example don’t even read them and it’s all stats? They say as much so it’s not even speculation.
Oh please.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 11:20
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
Why is no one answer the question?
My kid is working on his essay, and he will start on applications when the Common App opens. He already input his schools and did the biographical section and worked on Activities a bit. He is hanging out with friends every night, so no worries there.
My kid is working on his essay, and he will start on applications when the Common App opens. He already input his schools and did the biographical section and worked on Activities a bit. He is hanging out with friends every night, so no worries there.
Anonymous
07/24/2025 11:20
Subject: Rising seniors: how are the college apps coming along?
Not every one is making clay pot or running through sprinklers. It’s fine if yours is but don’t get angry at others who are working hard and having fun at the same time.