Need Help About Early Action Deadlines

I'm sort of stressing as I juggle my courses and extra-curriculars. I've heard that applying early action can benefit you, right? Can someone break down what crucial dates I should mark on my calendar?

Early Action deadlines can indeed provide an advantage by demonstrating your strong interest in a school and allowing you to potentially hear back from them earlier. Don't worry, it's normal to feel overwhelmed, but having a clear understanding of key dates can significantly reduce your stress.

1. Application Filing Period: This generally starts in the summer or early fall. Some schools might allow you to submit your application as early as August 1st. However, it's crucial that you check each school's specific application opening date.

2. Early Action Deadlines: The typical deadlines for Early Action applications are usually November 1st or 15th (but each school has its individual deadline that you should verify). This is the date by which your entire application, including essays and any supplements, should be submitted.

3. Score Submission Deadline: For colleges that still require SAT or ACT scores, you should take the tests no later than October to make sure your scores reach the colleges in time. However, always confirm this with the individual college's admissions guidance because some will accept later test dates.

4. Letters of Recommendation: If your schools require or recommend letters of recommendation, ask your teachers and/or counselor at least a month before the application deadline, so they have plenty of time to write a thoughtful letter. This translates to early to mid-October for most Early Action applicants.

5. CSS Profile and FAFSA: For financial aid, the FAFSA opens on October 1st and the CSS Profile dates vary. Try to complete both as close to their opening dates as you can.

6. Early Action Decisions: Decisions often come out in mid-December, but this varies by school, so you should look up each school's specific date.

Remember, these are just general time frames, and each school can sometimes have its own variations and specific procedures, so be sure to double-check directly on their admissions website. By planning ahead, you'll be better equipped to manage these tasks amongst your current responsibilities. Best of luck!