November College Prep: Applications, Essays, and Gratitude!

November is an important month for college-bound high school seniors. Early decision and early action deadlines are due and much more, Thanksgiving also falls this month – reminding us to be grateful…

November College Prep checklist

Early Applications Are Due

  • Early Decision and Early Action Applications are due – usually on November 1st or November 15th. Double-check that your teen’s application materials are ready.

Continue Working on College Essays

  • Whether submitting early applications or finalizing regular decision essays, November is the time to edit them.

Financial Aid 101

Scholarship Season

  • Work on Scholarship Applications: Many scholarships have rolling deadlines and November is a great time to start. There are opportunities related to your teen’s academic interests, extracurricular activities and other demographics. In addition to using scholarship search engines, high school counselors are great resources.

Testing

  • Register and/or Take Standardized Tests as Desired: If your teen hasn’t already registered for desired upcoming SAT or ACT tests, retaking them for a higher score is an option.

A Heartfelt Thank You

  • Say Thank You to Recommenders for Their Letters of Recommendation: Have your teen appreciate teachers or mentors who wrote their recommendations with a thank-you note or email.

    This month is a great time to reflect on the people who have helped support your teen during this college application process – including teachers, mentors, and family.

Lastly, remember to stay organized! Use my FREE College Application Tracker template and Scholarship Tracker to keep track of deadlines and materials.