What Your Senior Needs to Do Before Regular Decision Deadlines
- Warren Buck
- Sep 17
- 2 min read
If you’ve looked up from the calendar and realized it’s already fall of senior year and your heart skipped a beat, you are not alone. Many families are realizing the application process is well underway and feeling like they are way behind!
The good news: your senior still has plenty of time to submit strong applications before regular deadlines in January. The key is knowing exactly what needs to get done — and in what order.
Step 1: Organize Deadlines and Requirements
Every college has its own deadlines and quirks. Some will want test scores, others won’t. Some require additional essays, others keep it simple. The first job is to map out what’s due and when. Having a clear checklist in front of you can cut stress in half.
Step 2: Get the Finances in Focus
Sticker prices are misleading. What matters is the net price after financial aid and scholarships. Run each school’s Net Price Calculator, then compare results. This step can save you from chasing a “dream school” you later discover is financially impossible.
Step 3: Build a Balanced College List
Once you know what’s affordable, help your senior build a list that includes Reach, Target, and Safety schools. A strong list isn’t about rankings — it’s about fit. Students are most successful when they end up at a college that matches their goals, personality, and budget.
Step 4: Tackle the Essay and Activities Section
Colleges don’t admit GPAs, they admit people. Your teen’s essay and Activities list are where their story comes to life. The best essays don’t try to impress, they reveal character, growth, and perspective. Encourage your teen to connect their essay theme with the way they describe their extracurriculars so admissions officers see a clear through-line.
Step 5: Complete the Common App
The Common App pulls it all together: personal information, courses, activities, essay, and recommendations. It’s straightforward, but it can feel like a lot the first time through. Work section by section instead of trying to finish it all in one sitting. Double-check deadlines inside the platform to avoid last-minute surprises.
A Faster Way to Get It All Done
You now know the steps: organize, budget, build a list, write the essay, and complete the Common App. The challenge is doing it all quickly and in the right order. That’s exactly why I created the College Crash Course Kit for Seniors.
It’s a step-by-step bundle of the exact tools I use with my one-on-one clients, organized into a Rescue Roadmap you can follow right away. From timeline checklists to financial planning guides, list-building tools, essay support, and a full Common App setup guide, it gives you everything you need to help your teen apply smart and still enjoy senior year.
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