College Knowledge

Somewhere between junior and senior year, it hits: applying to college is a lot.  

There are deadlines that don’t line up, forms with unfamiliar names, essays to write, and financial aid rules that seem designed to confuse. For most students (and most parents!), it’s the first time navigating the process, and the sheer number of moving parts can feel overwhelming. 

The good news is that the college application process makes far more sense once you break it into pieces.  

This guide will walk you through seven practical things to know before you hit submit: the deadlines, decisions, and details that confuse families most. Whether you’re a first-generation student figuring it out on your own or a parent who hasn’t navigated the college application process since you were in high school, consider this your simple map of the road ahead.