As the Class of 2025 wraps up final applications, the Class of 2026 starts thinking about their college search and will probably discover that it’s not as simple as it looks from afar.

I go through this process annually, and I hear these comments repeatedly from clients and others. I share them with you so you can be proactive and reduce your stress levels in the long run.

The most common regrets I hear from seniors are:
• I wish I had started researching schools earlier.
• The essays are much harder than anticipated. Why didn’t I do them over the summer?
• I have never written three drafts of an essay in my life.
• I’ve always gotten A’s, what do you mean I need to rewrite my essay? I don’t have time.
• November is crazy busy at school, and college applications only made it worse.
• Supplemental essays sneak up on you.
• I applied to way too many places. I could have saved time, written fewer essays, and saved application fees if I had started earlier.

Common parent comments:
• I didn’t realize how much the application process had changed.
• I thought we had saved enough.
• I thought we would get more financial aid.
• This was really hard on my relationship with my child.
• I am so glad it is over!
• I’ve been telling my child X for six months, and today he tells me “Mom, Holly said X,” as if he’s never heard it before and it is a brilliant idea. Ugh!

Here is what my Class of 2026 clients are doing this month to prepare for applications next fall:
• Created a scholarship search account at Fastweb.com (you can do this as a freshman or sophomore!)
• Athletes registered on the NCAA site and are reaching out to coaches.
• Added a weekly reminder (at a minimum) to their calendars to check email. 
• Watching episodes of “The College Tour” and creating lists of what they do and don’t like about different schools to build a criteria list.
• Visiting colleges for official tours.
• Finding summer opportunities.
• Signing up for virtual college fairs through NACAC or RACC.
• Signing up for spring SAT or ACT.
• Linking PSAT to Khan Academy for a customized study guide.

Stay on top of things to reduce stress and find a good fit instead of a default choice.

Holly McCord Duncan is the founder of Smart College Admission, helping families navigate the academic, social and economic aspects of the college admissions process. She is a former admission officer with 20+ years in higher education and holds a master’s degree in college student development. Contact her at holly@smartcollegeadmission.com or click here for more information. The opinions expressed are her own.