Keep calm, and work on quality college applications

Everyone knows that Oct. 31 is Halloween, but Nov. 1 can be more frightful among high school seniors. It’s their first deadline for Early Decision—the college admissions equivalent of a marriage proposal.

TeenSHARPies don’t shy away from the challenge. On the contrary, 40 students in our pre-college programs will apply Early Decision this year, up from 30 students in 2021.

The process is both intense and worthwhile, giving a substantial edge to applicants by showing prospective colleges they’re the student’s first choice. Early Decision admission bodes well for financial aid, too. Last year, for instance, Early Decision admittees from TeenSHARP received an average of $70,000 per year in grant aid from their schools. 

Still, there’s one good reason a student should reconsider rushing to apply early, according to Co-Founder Tatiana Poladko:  if they didn’t start months ago.

“For the students who engage actively in their senior-year advising, it’s a message they’ve heard many times:  quality applications come above early deadlines!” Poladko said. “You will not receive any cool points for submitting applications early if they are of poor quality.”

The majority of SHARPies who plan to submit applications on Nov. 1 began working with the TeenSHARP team (including Co-Founder Tatiana Poladko, who advises the senior class, one-on-one, each year) as early as August. At the latest they began October 1. Any less time than that, Poladko said, will not allow a student the preparation they need, and deserve, to put their most impactful application forward. 

Still, 12th grade students across Delaware may feel anxious or obligated to submit something, Poladko said, as many public schools require their seniors to submit at least one college application in school. “That kind of thinking will get you your first rejection or your first unaffordable admissions or your first admission to a college that is academically below your level of readiness,” she said.

Whether it’s Early or Regular Decision, Poladko said that students must emphasize quality over quantity with their admissions, plan ahead, and reach out for help sooner than later. For access to college prep through TeenSHARP, learn more and apply here.