D-day (Deadline Day) for Early Action and Early Decision is upon us – as in Saturday, November 1^st!

Don’t despair if your student isn’t ready; the Regular Decision deadline isn’t until January. Today’s column is meant to help families understand the why and how behind a thorough application review.

As deadlines approach, many families are entering “application review season.” Drafts are being finalized, essays polished, and forms uploaded. It’s an exciting time—but also one where small mistakes or missed opportunities can make a big difference. Here’s how to conduct a smart, calm, and complete college application review.

College Application Review Checklist

1. Narrative Review

• What are the three main takeaways an admissions officer should remember about this student?
• Does every part of the application reinforce that message?
• Is your student’s application authentic, cohesive, and error-free?
• Is there any piece that sends mixed signals or dilutes the story?

2. Balance of Schools

• Is the college list truly balanced? Reassess the college list: reach, match, and likely schools — based on current GPA, rigor, and testing.

3. Core Application Components

• Personal Information:
  • Confirm correct spelling of name, address, email, and contact details.
  • Verify that the Common App (or other platform) account matches the student’s legal name and school records.
• Academic Information:
  • Check transcript accuracy and consistency with what’s reported in the application.
  • Review senior year courses — do they reflect rigor and continuity of interest?
  • Confirm GPA format and class rank (if reported) match school documentation.
• Standardized Testing (if applicable):
  • Verify scores are reported correctly and sent to colleges.
  • For test-optional schools, confirm whether submitting scores strengthens the application.

4. Activities and Honors

The activities section tells colleges how a student spends their time beyond the classroom. Encourage your student to:

• Highlight impact over quantity—it’s better to show depth than breadth.
• Strive for Clarity and Impact: Use active, specific verbs to describe your role (“led,” “organized,” “created,” rather than “helped with”).
• Prioritize: Are the most meaningful and impressive activities listed first?
• Focus on Scope and Depth: Does the list reflect a balance — academic, extracurricular, leadership, service, work, family responsibilities?
• Be Consistent: Do the activities reinforce the themes that emerge elsewhere (essay, recommendations, intended major)?

5. Essays and Short Answers

Essays bring the student’s voice to life. When reviewing:

• Listen for authenticity—does it sound like your student?
• Look for clarity and flow—a clear beginning, middle, and end.
• Ask: What did the reader learn about you that isn’t visible elsewhere?
• Reflect: Does it show growth, curiosity, or insight rather than just storytelling?
• Connect: Do essays align with the student’s larger narrative or academic interests?
• Proofread: Grammar, tone, and flow — ideally reviewed by someone other than the writer, but not over-edited. Avoid over-editing. Admissions officers can spot an adult-written essay from a mile away.

6. Supplemental Essays

These school-specific essays are often where students can stand out—or fall flat.

• The “Why Us?” essay shows the student knows the school well, referencing specific programs, classes, or traditions, not just flattery.
• The best Why This Major?” essays connect past experiences to future goals.
• If the school has a distinctive mission or identity, make sure the essay shows a genuine alignment with those values.

7. Recommendations

Recommendations are an important third voice in the application.

• Confirm that teachers and counselors have everything they need to submit on time.
• Ensure that the teachers your student asks will be able to reflect both academic strength and personal character.
• Avoid submitting extra letters unless they provide new insight that isn’t covered elsewhere.

8. After Submission

• Save a copy of each submitted application
• Track application portals for updates and missing items
• Write thank-you notes to recommenders

Bierer is an independent college adviser based in Charlotte. Send questions to: lee@bierercollegeconsulting.com; www.bierercollegeconsulting.com