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Navigating the Final Stretch of College Applications
Admissions
As December winds down, many students and families find themselves in the most intense stretch of the college admissions season. Early Decision and Early Action results have landed, winter break is approaching, and regular decision application deadlines loom just after New Year’s. It’s a moment that often feels filled with urgency, uncertainty, and no shortage of questions.
In a recent episode of his podcast, our College Consultant, Darryl Tiggle, joined a broader conversation about how students and families can navigate these final weeks with clarity, confidence, and perspective.
Below is a breakdown of their best guidance for surviving - and even thriving - during these final weeks.
Understanding the January Deadline
Most deadlines for the regular decision process fall on January 1 or January 2, with some schools extending to mid-January or early February. One of the most common misconceptions is what, exactly, must be submitted by that deadline.
The deadline applies to the student’s portion of the application only.
The Common Application, Coalition Application, or school-specific application must be submitted by the deadline to establish an applicant record. Supporting materials—teacher recommendations, school reports, transcripts, interviews, and testing—often arrive in the weeks that follow. Admissions offices expect this and will notify applicants if something is missing.
This distinction alone can dramatically reduce stress for families who worry that every box must be checked by midnight on deadline day.
How Parents Can Help Without Adding Pressure
As deadlines approach, the role of parents often shifts from observer to accountability partner. Darryl emphasizes that this support is most effective when it feels collaborative, not critical.
One simple but effective strategy is using a visible checklist—placed somewhere unavoidable, like the refrigerator—to track deadlines and requirements. It creates structure without constant verbal reminders.
Equally important is how parents frame the conversation:
“Let’s get this work behind us so we can actually enjoy time together over the holidays.”
This approach reinforces motivation while lowering emotional temperature.
Avoiding Application Panic
Many families assume that clicking “submit” means the application instantly arrives at the college. In reality, applications first move through centralized servers before being downloaded and processed by individual institutions. During peak days—especially December 30 and 31—systems slow down.
Portal updates take time. Missing checkmarks in early January are normal.
Colleges will reach out if something truly hasn’t arrived. Constantly refreshing portals only increases anxiety.
If an unexpected issue arises—illness, technical problems, or emergencies—students can contact admissions offices to request an extension. While this shouldn’t be the plan, colleges understand that life happens.
What Happens After You Submit
Once the application is submitted, students often feel unsure about what comes next. From SCK’s perspective, there are two important areas to remain focused on:
Mid-year grades matter.
Strong senior-year performance is especially important at selective institutions. A noticeable drop in grades can raise concerns, so academic focus should remain steady through the first semester.
Interviews may happen after the deadline.
Many colleges use alumni interviewers, and these conversations often occur weeks after applications are submitted. Interviews are not evaluations to fear—they are opportunities to add dimension to an application.
Darryl encourages students to think of interviews as a conversation built around three themes:
Not all students will receive interviews. That is a function of availability, not applicant strength.
Processing Early Decision Results
December can bring emotional whiplash as early decision outcomes arrive. Students who are deferred or denied often feel pressure to dramatically expand their college lists.
SCK’s guidance is consistent:
Return to the original list and strategy.
The list was never built around a single outcome. If additional schools need to be added, they should be chosen intentionally—not reactively. Adding too many schools too quickly often leads to rushed applications and diluted storytelling.
Understanding Early Decision II (ED2)
Early Decision II is a binding option offered by many liberal arts colleges and some universities, typically with January deadlines and February notifications.
ED2 can be a strong option for students who:
Timing matters. ED2 allows students to commit with greater self-awareness than they may have had in the fall.
Approaching the Supplemental Essays
The supplemental portion of an application allows colleges to understand how a student fits within their specific academic and community context.
The most common question—often phrased as “Why this school?”—is frequently overthought.
Darryl advises students to focus on what genuinely draws them to the institution. Strong responses are:
If a student struggles to answer this question, it may be a sign that more research—or reflection—is needed.
Managing Stress in the Final Stretch
This phase of the admissions process is inherently stressful. SCK encourages families to remember that stress management is not about perfection, but consistency.
Simple practices can make a meaningful difference:
Wellness does not require major lifestyle changes. Small, repeatable habits are often the most effective.
A Final Word
The weeks leading up to regular decision deadlines can feel overwhelming, but they are also a moment to trust the work that has already been done.
Once an application is submitted, your story is in motion.
From Darryl and the SCK team, the message is simple: take a breath, stay grounded, and move forward with confidence!
