Navigate the College Application Process in Four Simple Steps

Whether you're a senior in high school or a returning student who is contemplating going back to school, the prospect of college admissions can be fraught with angst and uncertainty.

From deciding which schools to submit college applications to and keeping track of a bevy of different deadlines, it's no secret that applying to colleges can be challenging, especially if you have a full load of classes, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities to juggle simultaneously.

Rather than letting yourself get overwhelmed by the college application process, follow the advice of time management gurus and break the college admissions process down into a series of systematic steps.

Although your college application action plan will likely vary according to your unique circumstances, you can use these basic guidelines to help you get started:

1. Assess your situation. Begin the planning process with a brainstorming session: What do you want out of your college experience? What kind of college would best suit your needs? How are you likely to stack up against other college applicants seeking admission to the best schools? What can you afford in terms of college application fees?

2. Three is the magic number. If you've got your eye on top-tier schools, it may make sense to prepare up to ten college applications, or even more. However, for most students, experts recommend applying to at least three colleges--one dream school, one commonsense selection, and one fallback "just in case" choice.

3. Devise a realistic timeline. Depending on the school, preparing a college application can take anywhere from five to 20 hours. Look over the college application materials for each of the schools to which you're applying, double-check deadlines to set a list of priorities, and then block out one or two weeks to complete each application.

4. Get organized. Even the most well-intentioned college application process can be torpedoed by disorganization. Use a system that makes sense to you and stick with it until you've dropped the last college application off at the post office. A desk calendar, spreadsheet, or online agenda is a must-have, and an expanding file folder or filing cabinet are great ways to keep the hundreds of sheets of paper you'll need to deal with in order and close at hand.

Sure, there may be a lot riding on your college applications, but that doesn't mean you have to let the process leave you mired in a pit of despair. After you've established a systematic action plan, try to approach college admissions tasks with a sense of adventure. This is a once-in-a-lifetime journey, after all, and you'll be likely to learn a lot about yourself along the way!