No one likes being told what to do. Especially when it comes to future, college applications, or anything that sounds even close to something like “start early”. But if you’ve ever caught yourself thinking “There’s still time, right?” or “I’ll figure it out after my final exams”, this one’s for you.
We’ve worked with hundreds of students across grades and countries, and what’s common between every year is that those who started early had options. Those who didn’t? Well… they had regrets (and a few rejection emails).
So, let’s get to some facts, timelines, and a few reality punches.
If You’re in 9th Grade- bless your soul, you’re early, you’re in the golden hour. You’ve got time. You’ve got space. And most importantly, you’ve got options.
This is the time when you start figuring out:
In a teeny tiny bit, maybe,
- How do I pretend to be serious about studies? (Ask our founder)
And mostly,
- What do colleges abroad really want?
- What kind of things do I enjoy doing outside of class?
- How do I keep my grades up without losing my sanity?
You don’t need to have it all figured out. You just need to start enrolling. Explore clubs, try competitions, volunteer, take on a small leadership role somewhere even if it’s just overseeing ensuring all parents receive lunch on Parents’ Day. It really counts.
This is the time when you build stuff. And break stuff. Learn.
In 10th or 11th? To sugarcoat it, you still have hope.
In full honesty, you’re a little behind the 9th grade dreamers, but that doesn’t mean it’s over. You’ve still got time to build a decent (read: strong and believable) application.
But you must start now.
And please, let’s talk about balance.
You don’t need to be president of every club and top your class. But if you’re light on extracurriculars, your academics better be on point. If your grades took a hit, your activity list needs to show that you were out there doing meaningful things, not just vibing.
You can’t be average at everything and expect colleges to hand over a scholarship. That’s not how this works.
In 12th grade or Just Finished?
Buckle Up. Okay, deep breath. Buckle up.
If you’re in 12th and especially if you just finished 12th and only now started thinking about applications- it is late.
We’d be worried if you’re not panicking by now.
You’re going to have to move fast and stay focused.
What happens is most top universities have deadlines that fall during 12th grade, often between October to January. So, if you were planning to “wait till after finals,” we hate to say it, but that ship’s probably halfway across the ocean.
That said, if you’re okay being strategic, working fast, and maybe not aiming for Ivy League this year, you can still make it work. But this is your sprint, not a stroll.
When it comes to Scholarships, early birds win. Always.
As bad as it may sound and as much as you may want to hate us saying this aloud, but scholarship money isn’t infinite!
Every year, it is either “I didn’t know I had to start this early.” Or “I thought I could wait till the finals were over.”
And every year, we’re out here yelling into the void. Beating the study abroad horse like it owes us money.
So here it goes one more time:
A lot of funding has first come, first serve. If you apply late, even with great scores, you might not get the aid you deserve. Just because the budget is already gone.
That alone is reason enough to start early. Who doesn’t like saving thousands of dollars?
Now, the X Factor. The Extracurriculars:
Grades and scores may open the door, but it’s your activities that tell the story of who you are. (An insider tip: colleges are obsessed with leadership).
Not just “I joined a thing once” energy. But a real “grown-over-time-took-responsibility” kind of leadership.
Imagine: You join your school’s debate club in 9th grade.
You don’t magically become president on Day 1, do you? You start as a member. You attend sessions, you compete, you get noticed. Maybe by the second year, you’re a committee member. By third year, you’re training juniors, leading events, maybe even judging a few competitions. By your final year, *drumrolls* you’re president.
This journey?
Colleges drool over this kind of an evolving journey.
Now compare that to someone who joined five clubs for one year each. Debate club, then music band, then business club, then photography. No depth. No direction. No consistency. No story.
The students who stand out are the ones who pick a few things and go all in. Whether it’s writing, chess, coding or dance; for colleges- consistency leads to growth and growth is magic (magic implying you get into your dream college). And that kind of timeline needs years.
AND colleges can tell when you started! They can see it. When you do everything last-minute, it shows. A flood of new activities in the 11th and 12th grade? Sus. It doesn’t matter how impressive it looks. What matters is whether it’s real and consistent.
Colleges want to know who you are, not who you pretended to be for the application.
Here’s what most students don’t realize:
When you’re in 12th grade, you’re already neck-deep in final exam prep, internal assessments, viva rounds, practical exams, and let’s not forget the “everyone suddenly wants to know what your plan is” pressure.
So, trying to start your entire college application process at this stage is a recipe for head burn.
You’ll be juggling essays, entrance exams like SAT/ACT, IELTS/TOEFL, LORs, extracurriculars, interview prep and that’s on top of preparing for the most important school exams of your life. Something’s bound to take a back seat. And too often, it’s your final exam grades that take the hit.
Not ideal, especially if you’re applying to colleges that look at predicted or final scores.
Hence, proven:
Starting early is a NECESSITY. The timing of your application really matters.
Northgate pro tip:
– Most students are focused on final exams in 12th, but remember, your SAT/ACT, orIELTS/TOEFL exams need to be scheduled in advance. You don’t want to be researching for these while juggling school exams. Set up your test dates at least a year ahead.
-Early action and early decision deadlines usually fall between October and November of your 12th grade. Regular deadlines can extend till January, but by then, the top universities might already be full. Getting everything in early isn’t just smart, it’s your best shot.
– Some universities offer exclusive benefits to early applicants. These can include free gym memberships (valued up to $30,000 a year), discounted on-campus housing, or reduced dining hall fees, sometimes up to 50% off for the entire academic year. While not all colleges offer these perks, applying early increases your chances of accessing such cost-saving opportunities that are often limited in number and time-sensitive.
Start early if you can. Start smart if you’re late.
Just don’t wait around thinking this will sort itself out because it won’t.
And if you’re not sure where to begin? That’s literally what we’re here for.
Written By – AKOSMEETA HAZARIKA
