October is an Important Month in College Process

October is crunch time for college-bound students who want to reap the benefits of meeting early application deadlines.

There’s a gamut of popular colleges that offer November 1st as an Early Action deadline. If students submit their applications by this date, colleges will get back to them early – frequently by the winter holidays.  A great way to relieve the stress of the college application process is to get accepted to colleges early and enjoy the rest of senior year, while maintaining grades, of course.

Universities popular with New Jersey students that offer Early Action include Northeastern, University of Massachusetts – Amherst, University of Rhode Island, Fairfield, Fordham, Hofstra, Pace, Penn State (all campuses), Temple, Villanova, Drexel, Ohio State, Case Western, University of South Carolina, University of North Carolina – Chapel Hill, Monmouth, Seton Hall, and Rutgers.

October is also the month for students who have a favorite school to file an Early Decision (ED) application.  The ED deadline is also typically November 1st and, at most schools, greatly increases a student’s likelihood of being accepted. 

As high school guidance counselors require some lead time to submit their portion of the applications – transcripts and recommendation letters – students should not wait until the very end of October to file their online applications. 

October is an important month for families who are seeking need-based financial aid. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) goes live on October 1st of each year, allowing families to complete the required form in order to get a financial aid package from the colleges to which their child is applying. Then, they can compare the costs and weigh their options well in advance of the May 1st deadline date to accept a college offer.  

High school juniors, and often freshmen and sophomores, take their PSAT in October.  For juniors, this test also serves as the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) which identifies National Merit Finalists, Semi-Finalists, and Commended Students.  Being named a National Merit winner is a prestigious academic honor, and often results in a scholarship award.

Often, high school seniors who have not yet reached their goal on the SAT spend the month of October preparing for the last two SAT exams of the calendar year, offered on the first Saturday of November and December.

Clearly, students have a lot more to do this month than just prepare for Halloween!

Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of Collegebound Review that, for the past 25 years, has offered PSAT/SAT® preparation and private college advising by Ivy League educated instructors. Visit CollegeboundReview.com or call 908-369-5362