When can you start applying for colleges?

I'm getting a bit anxious about the whole college admissions process. When can I actually start submitting applications for colleges? Is it during junior year or later?

The college application process typically begins during the first few months of your senior year in high school. Most colleges and universities have application deadlines in the fall and winter months, with specific dates varying by institution. Here's a general timeline to help guide you:

1. Common Application and Coalition Application: These are online platforms used by many universities and colleges. The Common App typically opens on August 1st each year, while the Coalition App becomes available around July. Once these application platforms open, you can create an account and start working on your applications.

2. Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) deadlines: ED and EA deadlines usually fall between November 1st and November 15th. If you're applying under one of these early plans, you should submit your application by the respective deadline. Keep in mind that ED is a binding agreement, which means if you're accepted, you're obligated to attend that college. EA, on the other hand, is non-binding, and you can still apply to other colleges even if you're accepted.

3. Regular Decision deadlines: Most regular decision deadlines are between January 1st and February 1st. This is the most common application deadline, and it gives you additional time to complete your applications. Regular decision is non-binding, so you can apply to multiple colleges and choose between offers later.

4. Rolling Admissions: Some colleges offer what's known as "rolling admissions," which means they review applications as they are submitted, instead of waiting for a specific deadline to pass. In this case, it's advantageous to submit your application as early as possible, as admission spots might fill up quickly.

To prepare for these deadlines, you should begin researching colleges, working on your essays, and gathering letters of recommendation during your junior year. By doing so, you'll be more prepared to submit applications as soon as the application platforms open during your senior year.