The college application process can be overwhelming for students, filled with deadlines, documents, and decisions. It’s one of the most important times in any student’s academic career, as it will help determine the direction of their future. Therefore, it’s essential to pay attention to every detail of the application if you are aiming for admission to your dream college. Among the many important dates, the December materials deadline stands out as particularly critical.
Whether you’re applying for an Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision, this deadline can have a significant impact on the outcome of your applications.
To help you understand the importance of the December materials deadline, we’ve outlined some key points in this blog, along with steps you can take to ensure you are fully prepared.
What are Application Materials for College?
College application materials are the documents required to be submitted alongside your application. These typically include high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, standardized test scores, essays, and personal statements. While not all colleges require them, some schools may also ask for supplemental materials.
These application materials are essential because they highlight your qualifications, achievements, and unique strengths to the admissions committee. They often serve as a key differentiator, helping to set your profile apart from other candidates.
Why Does December Materials Deadlines Matters?
There are several reasons why the December materials deadline matters. Let’s explore the reasons:
Early Action and Early Decision Deadlines
For students applying for Early Action or Early Decision, December is typically the final deadline for submitting application materials. In fact, many colleges have EA/ED deadlines in November, and only a few offer second-round deadlines in December. Therefore, if you want to take advantage of early application opportunities at competitive schools, December is crucial. Otherwise, you can miss this chance.
Getting Ready for Regular Decision Applications
Although most colleges have Regular Decision deadlines in January, some universities have RD deadlines in December. Therefore, by the beginning of December, you should have all your application materials ready to avoid last-minute delays. Even for RD deadlines in January, it’s advisable to start preparing early to ensure all required documents are completed by December. Begin writing your essays, gathering documents, and requesting recommendation letters well in advance, so that by December, all that’s left is to finalize them.
Ensure Recommendation Letters are Ready
Recommendation letters are an essential component of college applications. Most colleges and universities typically request two or three letters of recommendation, which should be written by teachers, school counselors, or any other person who knows you well, such as a coach or mentor. These letters are important because they provide insight into your key skills, accomplishments, and strengths, helping you stand out from other applicants.
To ensure your recommenders have enough time to write thoughtful and detailed letters, it is advisable to request recommendations well in advance. During the fall months, your teachers and counselors might be overwhelmed with writing multiple recommendations for various students. It’s better to give them ample time so that they can craft a more reflective and personalized letter that truly highlights your strengths.
Avoids Delays and Stress
Ideally, by December, you should have your essay drafted and all required documents gathered. At this stage, you should be in the process of finalizing everything for submission. This includes reviewing your entire application to ensure that all materials are complete and aligned with the requirements. Take the time to carefully proofread your essay, check that your letters of recommendation have been submitted, and verify that your transcripts and any other supporting documents are in order. This is also a good time to make sure that you have met all the deadlines and that there are no missing components.
A thorough review at this stage can help you avoid last-minute stress and prevent delays in your application process. Taking a proactive approach now will give you peace of mind and ensure that everything is in place well before the submission deadline.
Increased Chances of Scholarships and Aids:
Many colleges have deadlines for scholarship and financial aid applications in December, and the FAFSA also opens in December. Since some of the scholarships and federal aid are awarded on a first-come, first-served basis, it’s advisable to apply as early as possible to maximize your chances of receiving funds.
Holiday Season Might Cause Delay
Late December is the holiday season, and many colleges and universities close their admissions offices between Christmas and New Year. Therefore, it’s a good idea to submit all application materials before the holidays begin to avoid any last-minute confusion. Additionally, teachers and counselors may be busy with their own holiday plans, so it’s important to request recommendation letters well in advance.
How to Be Ready for December Materials Deadline
As mentioned earlier, application materials are crucial. Now, let’s explore how students can prepare for the December materials deadline.
- Create a Planner: Tracking the deadlines is of utmost importance. To stay organized, you can use a calendar or a tracking tool to mark important dates. This will help you keep track of each deadline and ensure you’re prepared for every step of the application process.
- Ask for Recommendation Letters Early: Reach out to your teachers and counselors for recommendation letters early, ideally by the beginning of October or November. Provide them with all the necessary information they may need, such as details about your skills, accomplishments, and goals. Give them plenty of time to write the letter and be sure to provide clear deadlines for when the recommendations need to be submitted to the college. This will help them plan and ensure the letters are completed on time.
- Follow Up: At times, your teachers and counselors may be busy with other responsibilities and may forget to complete and submit your recommendation letters on time. Therefore, it’s important to follow up with them in a timely and polite manner. Be sure to explain how crucial the recommendations are for your application and remind them of the submission deadline.
- Double-Check Your Application Material: Before submitting all your application materials, be sure to double-check each one to ensure it is complete and accurate. Review your materials carefully to confirm that they properly reflect your achievements and goals.
Conclusion
Submitting all your application materials by December is not only critical for your application but also for your future, as it can have a significant impact on your career. By meeting the deadline, you demonstrate to the college that you are organized, committed, and serious about your academic goals. Don’t miss this crucial deadline, plan ahead. The effort you put in now will pay off with a successful application.
If you want to learn more about how to request a letter of recommendation, check out our blog, “How to Request a Letter of Recommendation: Essential Tips.“
You can also visit Top5 Colleges if you need help in estimating and comparing the out-of-pocket costs of different schools, all in one place.
