Deadlines and December Decisions

As we move from Thanksgiving into December, I want to make sure your family is fully prepared. This is one of the most emotionally intense times of the college admissions cycle.

Over the next few weeks, seniors across the country will begin receiving decisions from early action, early decision, and rolling admissions schools. You will see acceptances posted. You will hear good news from friends. And through all of that, you must stay focused on your teen’s process.

December is not a month to drift. It is a month to be intentional.
Because what your teen does now determines how stressful or smooth January will be.

Let’s walk through the three most important actions your family must take before December 20. And if you need help, book a College Application Review Session with me this month. 

🎯 1. Reassess the College List Immediately

As early decisions and early action results start to roll in, the first step is simple. Take an honest look at your teen’s list.

If your teen applied early decision and gets in, congratulations. That story ends beautifully.

If not, or if decisions are unclear, you must reassess the remaining schools on the list.

Ask yourself:

⭐ Is this list still balanced
⭐ Do we have enough realistic options
⭐ Are there strong early action or rolling schools still available
⭐ Do we need to adjust reach, match, and likely schools
⭐ Do the remaining schools fit your teen academically, socially, financially, and emotionally

Too many families wait until after December 20 to regroup. That is too late. Winter break triggers stress, rushed decisions, last minute essays, and unnecessary conflict.

A smart list now equals a calmer January later.

If you need help reassessing, StrategicAdmissionsAdvice.com offers a full College Application Review Session. I walk you through each school, tell you what makes sense, and make sure you are not missing anything.

🎓 2. Communicate with the School Counselor Before December 20

This step is critical and often overlooked.

High school counselors cannot submit transcripts or recommendation materials during winter break. Many schools officially close around December 20 and do not open again until the new year.

Meanwhile, your teen’s applications have deadlines of:
⭐ January 1
⭐ January 2
⭐ January 3
⭐ January 5
⭐ January 10

This means:
➡️ Your school counselor must know every school your teen is applying to before they leave for break
➡️ Transcripts must be requested now
➡️ Recommendation updates must be handled now
➡️ Deadlines must be communicated clearly and respectfully

Students miss out every year because something was not submitted on time. Not because of talent. Not because of ability. But because the school office was closed.

That cannot happen to your teen.

📅 3. Complete All January Application Materials Before December 20

This is the step that saves families the most stress.

Your teen must finish all January deadline applications now. Not later. Not after decisions. Not during holiday travel. Now.

There is a reason I say this every year.

Here is the truth:

When students receive bad news from early decision or early action, their motivation drops. Their confidence drops. Their energy drops.
Even if they know that other applications are waiting, the emotional weight can make it difficult for them to stay focused.

I saw this firsthand.

A Quick Story

A few years ago, a student athlete was verbally committed by a Division III coach. The coach told her she would likely be admitted early decision. Everyone felt confident.

But when decisions came out, she was deferred.
The coach apologized. The applicant pool was too big. She would have to wait for regular decision.

This student had not finished her January applications because she felt sure she was getting in.

She spent her winter break scrambling.
She was devastated.
And she submitted rushed work to great schools she should have had time to research properly.

I do not want that for your teen.

💛 Protect Your Teen’s Emotional Well-Being

December is emotional for seniors. Social media is loud. Everyone is posting acceptance videos. They feel pressure. They compare themselves. They question their worth.

You cannot control decisions.
You can control preparedness.

You can help your teen:
⭐ Hope for the best
⭐ Prepare for the not so best
⭐ Stay grounded
⭐ Stay organized
⭐ Understand that schools reject applications, not students

This is a message parents must reinforce. Your teen is not defined by a single admissions result.

🧭 Your December Roadmap

To have a smooth month, focus on these three priorities:

⭐ Complete January applications and essays now
⭐ Make sure the school counselor has what they need
⭐ Reassess the college list and make sure it still makes sense

If you do this, you will have a saner, calmer, more productive December.

For support, visit StrategicAdmissionsAdvice.com. I am here to help your family finish strong.

Watch the full video here