5 last-minute FAQs for Common Application Procrastinators

It is rightly said that Procrastination is the thief of time. The more your delay a task, the longer it takes to be completed.

When it comes to common applications, do not ever try to begin at the last minute. It is risky as the colleges want to see that the application has more than just the academic pursuits, the applicant has some leadership potential or not as many colleges have various clubs and organizations and someone has to be set-up in the leadership roles, etc. For the college to believe that the extracurricular activities are both real and substantial, it takes others to mention them. The Common Application is one of the best ways to teach students about the college application process. 

To convey all of that takes more than just a list. 

Top 5 FAQs for the common app. procrastinator

• When is the last date to submit my application?

You must contact the admissions office for this information. Though to meet an application deadline, you must submit your application by 11:59 pm and it is in your local time zone, not in the college’s time zone. Keep in mind that Common App tracks all its application submissions in EST i.e. the US Eastern Standard Time. So, it’s always better to submit your application well before 11:59 pm to avoid last-minute rush with important documents or the computer and internet access issue that might cause you to miss the deadline. The school will automatically reject your application and will not look at any application after the deadline.

• I already submitted my application, how can I change or delete some of my answers?

In most cases you can add more information to your application. You can return back at any time and change your answer to any question but for future submissions. This means that you cannot make any changes to your submitted application. Changes can only be made to saved applications that are yet to be submitted.

• Which counselor should I invite and if he doesn’t arrive, who can I list?

You can invite your present counselor as they can provide your present academic information. Your present counselor may need to contact the former counselor for previous transcripts or any other needed information.

If there is no counselor at your school, you may list your principal or any other school official, domestic or international who has overseen your academic performance. You will also be required to invite this person to complete the School Report located on the My Colleges tab.

• What can I do if I don’t have my transcript for 12th grade yet?

You should submit transcripts of your relevant degree. The whole purpose of needing your transcripts is to use it as a correlational factor, to estimate your possible performance in grad school.

Before applying please check with your counselor or administration office to see if you can get access to your transcript. But if you do not get access to your transcript, that is okay. Select “NO” in response to the “Do you have 12th-grade courses” question. Your application will not be penalized and the college will still get your transcript from your counselor later in the Mid Year and Final Reports.

Most schools say it is fine if the transcripts arrive relatively soon after the deadline.

• I am ready to submit, but my transcript doesn’t list a credit for a particular course I took. What can I do?

You should follow the instructions from the applications to the letter. 

If you don’t have credit associated with a course on your transcript, you can check the N/A box and you won’t be required to provide any credit information for that particular course.

Conclusion

Academia is not a very rational place. Admissions committees are particularly irrational, looking for any excuse to drop a  candidate. Thus, consider your application process as important as any other activity. Hence, remember to act rather than procrastinate

Good Luck…

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