Preparing for the Senior Year: What Parents and Students Should Know

Updated: Jun 17

Parents of seniors, I am feeling your vibes right now. Just when you thought the junior year would never end, it finally has, and if you are lucky, your teen has come out of their room at least a few times to eat or ask you for something. You both are probably feeling some pressure regarding college applications. Should we be getting started? Are we behind? If I bother my teen enough will they get it all done in time? Why am I looking ahead to this ‘year of lasts’ with a mix of trepidation, nostalgia and a pinch of protectiveness all at once?

The senior year can be an emotional roller coaster from the parent AND student perspective, and I am here to tell you that it will be over in what seems like a few minutes. Having just seen my daughter walk across the graduation stage with an enormous smile on her face, I would like to provide some advice that has much to do with the practical, yet is equally steeped in the emotional. Here is my best advice to you:

Create a Timeline for Applying to College

One sure way to exit the emotional side is to take a look at the volume of things to be done, and get a plan. Senior pictures? ✅. Pre-order yearbook? ✅. The actual applications….. this one is harder to check off the list, so break down the tasks at hand to avoid stress later.

Finish Your Homework

Though school is out, your teen still has homework. It is very important that they finalize their balanced college list with a blend of safety, target and reach schools. When working with my scholars, I frame it this way: “If you were given the choice to go to ______ college or be locked in your room for 4 years, convince me that the college is the perfect fit for you?” Seriously, I ask for a persuasive speech. If your teen can’t come up with five true academic and two social reasons why they want to apply to a school, then it won’t be worth the application fee. If they want to spend a bunch of your money and four years of their time at this school, then having solid reasons is a non-negotiable. Luckily, summer is a great time to do this deep-dive research if it has not already been done. Dig in.

If your teen can’t come up with five true academic and two social reasons why they want to apply to a school, then it won’t be worth the application fee. If they want to spend a bunch of your money and four years of their time at this school, then having solid reasons is a non-negotiable.

Application Mechanics

Assuming that your teen has done their college research and has an idea of where they want to apply, it is now time to break down the mechanics of applying. Create a Common Application account and fill out the ‘busy work’ sections in the middle tab. Use a Google doc to create your activities list and main essay, and copy and paste it into the Common Application once it goes live on August 1, 2025. The Common App is getting a new ‘look’ this year, but the functions will remain the same. You can add colleges to your list, but don’t fill out any college specific information just yet as this information will not roll over. The middle, “Common App” tab should roll over, as will your added colleges, but wait until after 8/1 to add information to college specific sections.

Get it Done: Write Away!

One of the most important things you can finish in the first half of summer is your main essay, which is a 650 word personal statement that will go to all colleges you apply to. For tips and tricks on the main essay, and all other application writing tasks, check out this BLOG POST where I outline what you need to know. (We even have a MAIN ESSAY PACKAGE if you need additional help!)

Students can also collect their short answer questions from the Common App, understanding that they could change. They usually don’t, and the most common questions such as the ‘Why This Major?” or “Why This College?” are asked frequently. It is a great idea to draft these before starting school in the fall so that you can get your applications submitted by the early action deadline. Which brings me to…

Apply Early

If at all possible, grab that admit rate boost by applying EARLY ACTION. This is not a binding commitment to the school, but it does demonstrate interest and will get your application reviewed sooner than later. As well, have all of your ROLLING ADMISSION applications ready to go just as soon as you can after the Common App opens on 8/1. This will ease stress as you go into the senior year with most of your application tasks complete. Before the homework and the end of the first six weeks, plan to have submitted to all colleges on your list! Our recommendation is a soft deadline of applying to most of your colleges (except UC System schools) by September 1st of the senior year.

Cultivate Patience

And here it begins: the great wait. Keep checking your application portals early and often. In the meantime, finish up those honors college applications and search for scholarships. Many scholarship deadlines come as early as November 1st, and it is a little known fact that you don’t need to be accepted to a school to apply for institutional scholarships!

Look for scholarships from the colleges themselves first, and pivot to local and regional opportunities next. Your school counselor is a great resource for these, so hit them up early and often.

Depending on when it will open for the class of 2026 (some time around 12/1) each family should fill out the FAFSA and check to see if any schools they have applied to require a CSS Profile. More information can be found HERE. Even if you don’t think you will qualify for aid, do this anyway. It is often tied to scholarships.

Pass the Tissues

We can never predict the outcome of the college application process. Somewhere in between disappointment and relief will come the final decision. If it is down to two or three favorites, attending admitted student’s day at each one (before Decision Day on May 1st) is an excellent way to help your student make up their mind. Whatever the outcome, hold your child close. Understand that you have hit an important milestone, too, mom and dad. You have successfully raised a beautiful person who is intelligent and focused enough to go to college. You have also been able to provide for them so that college is attainable. That, in itself, is an incredible feat. Would it be better if this were not the case? We all know the answer.

So as I book my lodging for move-in weekend, I implore you, parents of rising seniors, to remember that this was the goal in the first place. We don’t get to keep our children, we only get to guide them for a time until they are able to guide themselves. Keep the practical in mind this year, and by all means, if you need assistance, ask for it! We are here to help - and to empathize, with the year of lasts that is ahead of you!

Book your DISCOVERY CALL to learn about all of our college planning assistance options! We have options to fit every budget, including FLEX PREP options.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should my high school senior start college applications? Ideally, students should begin preparing over the summer before senior year. We recommend submitting most applications by September 1st, especially for schools with Early Action or Rolling Admission.
What is a balanced college list, and how many schools should be on it? A balanced college list includes a mix of safety, target, and reach schools. Aim for 8–10 colleges, ensuring each one is a strong academic and social fit.
How does the Common App work, and when does it open? The Common Application opens on August 1, 2025. Students can create an account and begin working on general sections now, but should wait until after August 1 to complete college-specific questions.
What are the most important parts of a college application? Top components include the GPA, main essay (personal statement), Activities List, short answer questions, transcript, and test scores (if submitting). Each school may weigh these differently.
How can Austin families find college scholarships? Start with institutional scholarships from the colleges themselves. Then explore local and regional scholarships—often promoted by high school counselors and local organizations. It may take a little digging, but these can add up to significant tuition aid!
Should we still fill out the FAFSA if we don’t think we’ll qualify for aid? Yes! Many merit-based and institutional scholarships require the FAFSA, even if your family doesn’t qualify for need-based aid. It’s a critical step for maximizing opportunities.
What’s the difference between Early Action and Early Decision?
- Early Action (EA): Non-binding. Apply early, get a decision early.
- Early Decision (ED): Binding. You must attend if accepted.EA is often the better fit for students who want an admissions edge without committing.
How long should the main college essay be? The Common App personal statement should be no more than 650 words. Students should focus on a meaningful experience and show personal growth—not repeat their resume.
How do we stay organized during application season? Use a college planning timeline, track all deadlines in a shared calendar, and store drafts of essays and resumes in Google Drive. Staying organized reduces stress for both teens and parents.

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