Once again, it is time for high school seniors to apply to their dream schools. Early college admissions are due as soon as October 15, which leaves seniors with less than a month to get their common app sorted out. There are multiple reasons why many seniors are working hard to get their applications in by the deadline that is closely approaching. 

“I feel stressed, even though I am on a steady pace to getting all of my requirements done I’m still stressed I will not be able to finish it in time,” said Ryan Mason, senior at Southern Wake Academy.

Even though many find completing these applications on time difficult, there are important reasons for doing so. A prime example is how many seniors work to get into honors colleges, which require completing their applications by more specific due dates.

“ I know we send a lot of students from Athens who do go to the Honors College,” said Christopher Remaley, senior class advisor at Athens Drive. 

Honors colleges have many benefits such as living in a single dorm, a special degree certificate, the opportunity to take courses that are not open to other students, and even the chance to study abroad, which many students work hard to achieve and would like to experience when they attend a university. 

“[They live] in their separate dorm, in their separate grouping, whatever, and the sort of fast track, I guess you could say, you know, to stay on schedule and graduate on schedule or whatnot,” said Remaley. 

On the other hand, honors college is not the only reason for making many applicants apply early. Some students also apply early to know what colleges they have been admitted to admitted to ahead of time. 

“I’m not such a big fan of the early action thing, just because you just need to be patient. And just to apply with a regular deadline or whatnot, can I go,” said Remaley. 

For students to reach their goals, they work hard to complete every part of the application process on time which requires knowing the deadlines. In the UNC system, there is a general list of application deadlines.

“Since I want to do a design studio-based major in college I need a 10-art piece portfolio with a separate essay for the design college,” said Mason.

With these deadlines approaching, students are just some of the ones having to do extra work. Many schools encourage college recommendation letters, where high school students ask their teachers to write about them.

“A recommendation letter is really useful for kids. I know NC State and UNC Chapel Hill both had 50-70,000 applications, and they only took 5000-6000 you know? When you get that magnitude of students applying, a lot of them, they all look the same on paper,” said Remaley. 

With these top universities being so competitive all applicants need to have an upper hand in this long process. 

“You read through the letter from this person, whoever’s writing his letter, and are they saying something that stands out to you, that makes you think, I want this kid on my campus, as opposed to that kid,” said Remaley. 

This is a busy but exciting time for many seniors and teachers preparing for these students’ upcoming college futures. 

“I’m mainly nervous that I won’t get into the colleges I want … I just hope all my hard work pays off,” said Mason. 

Early application deadlines are coming up and knowing these times and deadlines is an essential part of making a great plan for your college applications especially if students are submitting an early application.

“It feels weird that I’m about to graduate; I don’t know how to describe it, but I’m now thinking over my high school years and reflecting on what I have done and it’s going to be weird to be on my own for once, but I am excited for my future and college,” said Mason.