Ask most parents when the college application process really kicks into gear and you’ll likely hear, “Fall of senior year.” But here’s the inside scoop from decades in this work: If there’s one move that lowers stress, improves outcomes, and may even allow moments of joy into the college application process, it’s using the summer between junior and senior year well.
This is your student’s golden window; a stretch of time when they’re not juggling exams, sports, homework, and the daily logistics of high school life. Thoughtful use of this time can be a game-changer.
Why Summer Matters
“I think the number one way to get through it with a minimum amount of stress, a really successful outcome and product, and maybe even some fun along the way is to plan carefully, spread out the work, and really utilize summer between junior and senior year.”
Think of the college process as a 100-hour project. Spread over five months? Doable. Crammed into September and October? Cue the panic.
Starting early is less about pressure and more about creating breathing room. Summer is when your student can:
- Reflect on what they actually want from their college experience
- Thoughtfully research colleges to finalize their list
- Create spreadsheets and schedules for application work
- Develop a strategy for early deadlines and rolling admission
- Complete application activity lists–admissions officers say rushing this is a missed opportunity for many students
- Draft essays without deadline pressure.
What Makes the Biggest Difference
Here are the most impactful ways families can use the summer months to get ahead:
1. Lock Down the College List
“I encourage my students to have their lists about 80% or so locked by the time they get to the end of junior year.”
Have your student aim for an 80% complete list by the end of junior year. If it isn’t there yet, use early summer to clarify this. A solid list shapes everything else: application deadlines, essay prompts, visit plans, scheduling interviews, and testing strategy.
Encourage them to reflect honestly: What environments help me thrive? What am I curious about? And yes, how far from home am I comfortable going?
2. Start the Application (Yes, Really)
Students can open a Common App account anytime. They can:
- Work on their activity list and resume.
- Fill in personal and academic details.
- Review essay prompts for the Common App and many individual school essays.
Bonus tip: Parents can create a “practice” account to explore the platform without touching the student’s real one.
3. Write the Personal Statement
“It is important early in this process to identify roughly what they’re going to talk about in the personal statement that’s going to go everywhere.”
That 650-word essay that goes to nearly every school, and it’s much easier to write when your student isn’t also prepping for tests in four AP classes and soccer tryouts. Even a rough draft by August gives them a strong head start.
4. Research Supplemental Essays
“Once those supplementary prompts are all up in Common App… list every single essay prompt that they’re going to have to write… you’re looking for overlap. This is the number one work reduction hack for the college process.”
After August 1, most colleges release their unique essay prompts, although some will be available earlier. Create a spreadsheet: Which schools ask what? Where do topics overlap? Many students discover they can repurpose and adapt essays if they plan ahead.
5. Prep for Testing
If your student is planning to take or retake the SAT or ACT, summer is ideal for preparation. Less stress/more sleep = better prep = higher scores.
6. Plan Visits and Interviews
“If the campus is empty and it feels really dead, that can really throw kids off… the campus will feel weird. On the other hand, schools that offer interviews often will not do interviews beyond October.”
Because some campuses feel vibrant in summer, others… less so, please plan carefully. If you’re planning a summer visit, know what to expect. If at all possible, plan visits for early fall when classes are in session and all the students are back on campus. And check if schools offer interviews—many do in late summer or early fall, and they can be a great way to demonstrate interest.
7. Establish a Family Rhythm
“Schedule a time every week that is going to be dedicated to talking about college, and don’t talk about it at any other time of the week. That will be incredibly helpful for everybody in terms of stress reduction, not to mention protection of your relationship with your child.”
Pick a weekly time to talk about college, and agree to not bring it up outside that time. This keeps the process contained and keeps your student from dreading being trapped in the car with you.
8. Get Ready for Financial Aid
“The financial aid forms, both the FAFSA and the CSS Profile, become available on October 1. Start getting organized. Make sure your taxes are in order.”
FAFSA and CSS Profile open in October, but don’t wait until then to start gathering documents. If you filed a tax extension, please complete it as soon as possible as you will need final numbers to complete the financial aid forms.
It Doesn’t Have to Be Stressful
We know. You’ve heard the horror stories. The panic. The tears. The last-minute cramming. But it doesn’t have to be that way.
We’ve seen it firsthand: students who start early often find the process more reflective, less pressured, and even—dare we say—enjoyable.
So, as your student wraps up junior year, consider this your not-so-gentle nudge: Summer is more than a break. It’s the breathing room that makes everything else go more smoothly.
