With your final list of schools determined, it is time to figure out what work is in store for you so you can get organized. With so many things to keep track of (essays, testing dates, application deadlines, etc.) in a limited time, you need to be as efficient as possible. If you can see in advance that you may be able to use an essay more than once, for example, it will take some pressure off.

HEAD Lines

Log on to each application or download them onto your computer. Make note of the following and keep track of these on a master calendar:

• Final due dates for all documents

• Essay topics and lengths (Are any of them the same?)

• Forms to fill out

• Policies about supplemental material (You may want to prepare something extra.)

From Other HEADS

DON'T PROCRASTINATE. Know the deadlines beforehand and work in advance. Try to send out your applications by the end of October so you can focus on scholarships and last-minute things in November and December.

-- SARAH BORMEL

BOSTON UNIVERSITY

STAY ON TASK WITH EVERYTHING. I missed applying to one school because the deadline was in August; I assumed that, because applications to all the other schools I was looking at were due in January or February, this one was, too. But then I looked online and found the application deadline had passed.

-- DANE SKILBRED

SANTA CLARA UNIVERSITY

Web Resources

The mother of all college sites, Collegeboard.com, has some useful calendar tips:

www.collegeboard.com/student/apply/the-application/23626.html

The College Application checklist at TeensAdvisor.com is also a spot to click to:

http://teensadvisor.com/teen-schooling/application-checklist.html  

HoH Tip

Work backwards to write in additional personal deadlines. For example, if a teacher recommendation is due on a certain date, mark down a month or two earlier that you need to give your teacher the form to fill out.