If you're a parent of a high school student, especially a rising senior, it’s go-time. August 1 marks the day when the Common Application goes live—and with it, the official start of college application season.
Even if your teen hasn't picked their dream school yet or hasn’t thought about essay drafts, now is the moment to act. And yes, I know it's still technically summer, but in the college admissions world, it’s game time.
Let’s break down what you need to know, what your teen should be doing, and how you can help them without causing World War III in your household.
August isn’t just about back-to-school sales or squeezing in that last beach trip. It’s when the Common Application opens and students can begin applying to colleges.
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It’s live now
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It includes updates and new essay requirements
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Colleges begin reviewing applications as early as September
Even if your child isn’t planning to hit "submit" right now (and honestly, they shouldn’t just yet), they should absolutely create an account and start reviewing what’s inside.
Understanding what’s required is half the battle. Here’s what you and your teen will encounter:
Basic biographical info like name, address, birthdate, and demographics.
Parents, this section is about you. What do you do for a living? Did you go to college? Your teen will need this info, so get ready for a fun Q&A session at the dinner table.
Where does your teen go to school? What's their GPA? Are they taking AP Calculus or Creative Writing senior year? List it all here.
Is your teen submitting SAT or ACT scores? APs? This is where they self-report. Some schools are test-optional, but it’s still a strategic decision.
Here’s where your teen shows who they are outside of the classroom. Sports, arts, volunteering, work—all of it should be documented and described clearly.
The heart of the application. There are seven prompt options, and no, your child doesn’t have to reinvent the wheel. Just tell a compelling story in their voice.
All six sections must be completed with green checkmarks before any applications can be submitted.
Once those six sections are complete, your teen will add colleges through the "My Colleges" tab. That’s where they’ll see:
π School-specific questions
π Supplemental essays (and there are a lot!)
Some colleges just want a “Why Us?”
Others want full-on deep-dive essays about values, experiences, or career goals.
And here’s the kicker—each school asks different questions. So no, your teen cannot copy and paste one essay 10 times.
Every college has its own application deadline, and missing one could mean missing out entirely. Your teen’s high school also has internal deadlines for requesting transcripts and recommendations. So yes, a calendar is your new best friend.
Let’s be honest. You want to help, but you don’t want your teen to roll their eyes every time you mention “college.” Here’s how to help effectively:
π Preview the Common App through the parent view
π£ Remind them (nicely) to check for supplemental essays
π Offer to read a rough draft (when they’re ready)
π Encourage them to set a weekly application planning time
This is my favorite time of year. College application season is what I live for, and I want to make sure your teen is positioned for success.
If you want expert support on what schools to consider, how to approach the personal statement, or even just help getting started—we’re here.
ππ½ Order The College List Builder to get a customized list of schools for your teen (collegelistbuilder.com)
ππ½ Book a free Discovery Call at www.callwithsaa.com
Let’s do this together. August 1 is just the beginning. Let’s make this year count.
Β To Earn A Spot At A Top CollegeΒ