When should I start preparing if I want to apply Early Decision to college?

If you want to apply Early Decision, junior year is the right time to start. You do not need to have everything figured out now, but you should use the rest of junior year to narrow your college list and make a testing plan.

A realistic timeline looks like this. In winter and spring of junior year, start researching colleges seriously, visit if possible, and think about whether you are truly ready to commit to one school through ED. This is also a good time to build or refine your activities list and resume.

For testing, try to finish most SAT or ACT attempts by late spring or summer before senior year.

For recommendations, ask teachers near the end of junior year. Ask teachers who know your work well, and give them plenty of time. Waiting until senior fall is possible, but it is much less considerate and often more stressful.

For essays, most students benefit from starting in the summer before senior year. You can draft the personal statement in June, July, or August, then work on the ED school’s supplemental essays once prompts are available or confirmed. Summer is also a smart time to complete the Common App basics.

By early senior fall, you should be polishing essays, confirming recommendation letters, finalizing your activities section, and checking ED requirements and financial aid deadlines.