5 Things to Do This Summer Before the Common App Opens

August 1st is coming faster than you think.

That's the date the Common Application opens for the new admissions cycle, and the summer before senior year is the right time to get started.

The good news? You don't need to spend your entire summer glued to your laptop. But a few focused hours now will save you a mountain of anxiety come fall.

Here's exactly what to tackle before senior year begins.

1. Finalize Your College List

Before you write a single essay or fill out a single form, you need to know where you're applying. A thoughtful, well-researched college list is the foundation of everything else.

Ask yourself:

• Which schools genuinely excite me and why?

• Do I have a balanced mix of reach, match, and likely schools?

• What major will I apply to at each school?

• Will I apply Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision?

  
  

These are strategic questions. Applying Early Decision to your top choice can boost your chances, but it's a binding commitment. Early Action gives you more flexibility. Regular Decision buys you more time. Know your strategy before August 1st so you're not making those calls under pressure.

2. Set Up Your Application Accounts

Don't wait until August 1st to log in for the first time. Create your accounts now, whether that's the Common App, UC Application, Cal State Apply, or any school-specific portal, and get comfortable navigating them before the cycle officially opens. Make sure you use an email address independent from your high school email account.

Use the summer to complete the sections that are already available and won't change:

• Profile, Family, and Education sections: straightforward but time-consuming.

• Activities List: this one deserves real attention. Use a strong formula: lead with an action verb, add specific context, quantify your impact, and cut anything that doesn't earn its place. (Need help? Check out our activities list guide here.)

• Self-Reported Student Academic Record (SSAR): some schools require this. If yours do, gather your transcripts and get it ready now.

  
  

The more you complete before senior year starts, the more bandwidth you'll have for the parts that actually require deep thinking (like your essays).

3. Start Working on Your Personal Statement

This is the big one, and the one that can be most overwhelming for students.

Your Common App personal statement is a 650-word essay that follows you to every school on your list. It deserves time, reflection, and multiple rounds of revision. The summer is the perfect window to give it that.

Start by brainstorming. What experiences, values, or moments define who you are? What do you want admissions officers to know about you that isn't captured anywhere else in your application?

Then outline. Then draft. Then revise (more than once).

A strong personal statement doesn't sound like an application essay. It sounds like you. Give yourself enough time to find that voice before the fall frenzy begins.

4. Research Your Supplemental Essays

Many schools that require supplemental essays use the same prompts year after year — which means you can start drafting responses now, before August 1st.

A word of caution: prompts occasionally change when the new cycle opens. Don't finalize anything until you've confirmed the official prompts for this cycle. But researching last year's prompts gives you a strong head start and helps you think through your responses without the time pressure of fall deadlines.

Some schools require several supplemental essays. The sooner you know what's ahead, the better you can plan.

5. Line Up Your Recommendations

You'll officially request letters of recommendation through your application portals once senior year begins, but the summer (or spring!) is the right time to have the conversation.

Reach out to the teachers you have in mind and ask if they'd be willing to write you a strong letter. Give them context: which schools you're applying to, what you're hoping to study, and any experiences from their class you'd love them to highlight.

Teachers who are asked early are teachers who are prepared. And a prepared recommender writes a better letter.

You've Got This

Senior year is exciting and it can also feel overwhelming if you're not ready for it. The students who feel most confident come fall are the ones who used their summer wisely.

You don't have to do it all at once. Work through this list at your own pace, one step at a time. By the time August 1st arrives, you'll be ready to hit the ground running.

Need support navigating the college application process? Let's talk!