The first semester of 12th grade is undoubtedly one of the most stressful times of high school: there’s a combination of rigorous courses, extracurricular commitments, and, of course, college applications. Seniors are constantly popping in and out of the College Advising office to meet with their advisor, ask questions, or simply to grab a snack from the candy jars. College application season is officially in full swing.

For those who chose the Early Action route – a non-binding option to apply early and receive a decision sooner – the past few weeks have been a furious sprint, leaving everyone exhausted. “I feel like I won’t get into college. College applications are stressing me out,” says Senior Callie Snow. Indeed, some schools’ Early Action deadlines are as early as October 15th, although most are due November 1st. 

On the other hand, there are also Seniors who started working on their applications during the Summer, effectively spreading out the workload. “I think because I started early and stayed organized, it wasn’t too bad getting things done on time,” says Senior Riya Goel.

Regardless, with Flint Hill’s review deadline for both October 15th and November 1st deadlines (September 22nd and October 1st, respectively) now in the rearview mirror, students are finally catching their breath.

The appeal of Early Action is getting an admission decision as early as December. However, the crunch to finish all components of each application, on top of keeping up with schoolwork for ongoing classes, requires intense time management. “I think Flint Hill’s October 1st review deadline for November schools is reasonable considering how many students there are, and they want to give their full attention to each application,” says Senior Maisie Herrick. “But at the same time, I think October 1st does make students throw things together, especially because not everybody can do certain things before that time like college visits.” 

Recognizing the intensity of the application process, many Seniors have developed effective strategies for managing the workload and maximizing time. When asked for advice, Senior Aubrey Durant says, “Really focus on the first few applications. Especially with the supplemental essays, because you can use many of them again for other schools later on.” In addition to reusing supplementals, here are some more ways that the Class of 2026 is handling the ongoing pressure of applications:

• • Organization: Many are using spreadsheets and calendars to keep track of varying deadlines, essay prompts, and required documents for each school. Several have noted that the spreadsheet template provided by the college counseling office is extremely helpful.

• Flint Hill’s Resources: Students are taking full advantage of the school’s college counseling office for essay feedback and advice.

• Mental Health: Taking breaks, spending time with friends, and maintaining a healthy sleep schedule are all crucial steps that Seniors are taking to prioritize mental health and avoid burnout.

With most Early Action applications finished and submitted to the college counseling office for review, the focus now shifts to Regular Decision rounds, with deadlines looming in December and January. This gives Seniors ample time, including Thanksgiving Break and Winter Break, to polish and finalize their applications. Nevertheless, for the next few months, Seniors will be busy writing supplemental essays, visiting schools, and maintaining their grades before senioritis hits – all important steps towards finding the perfect fit for the next four years.