One of the more anxiety-ridden tasks I’ve ever completed was the time I was given the responsibility of properly executing wires transfers for my family. It was extremely stressful, not because it was a large sum of money, but because I had to do 9 separate transactions and the ramifications if it wasn’t done correctly and on time were huge (in addition to ridicule by my brothers). As a result, I decided to create my own checks and balances system:
· I looked up the routing number on the bank’s website
· I had someone else look it up and read it back to me to confirm
· I went into the bank and verified I had the correct number for domestic transfer
· I wrote the information down on the form I needed to send and sent it
· I followed up to verify the form had been received
A little excessive? A tad OCD? Maybe, but these few steps took a short amount of time and prevented what could have been a LOT of follow up work correcting the errors.
That’s how I view the process of submitting college applications. Just as I was ultimately responsible for the execution and receipt of the wire transfers, students are ultimately responsible for the receipt of all of the application requirements the college requires. It’s one thing when the items can be completed by the student, it’s quite another when they have to follow up on things that need to be completed and submitted by people other than themselves - such as teachers, counselors or other sources.
Luckily, there are several checks and balances that are part of ensuring that the process goes smoothly, is executed properly and mistakes are minimized.
And that’s where the portal comes in.
The portal is the online account that students create once they’ve submitted their application and IMHO, it is a quintessential part of the checks and balance system for the application process. And, in recent years, it’s become even MORE than that.
It’s often the place where additional information can be provided, like resumes, portfolios or additional work. It can be the place to access forms to input courses and grades. It can contain scholarship opportunities for the college. And, it can even contain “pop-up” essays that, even though they’re optional, can provide another way to share more insight into who you are and help the admissions rep get to know you better. And, in many cases, this information also needs to be completed and input by the application deadline. That’s why a good rule of thumb is to submit your application no later than 10 days prior to the deadline so you have time to create your portal, check to see what has been received, follow up what’s missing and input any other requirements.
Like my wire transfer process, the combination of checking the common app to see what items have been submitted, reviewing the portal to see what items have been received and using that to follow up with teachers and counselors is a comprehensive checks and balance system for students to make sure their application and all its requirements are submitted on or by the deadline.
Once the application is submitted, it’s important to continue to check the portal, as that, plus email, is how you’ll receive communication from the college. It is likely the place where you will receive the news on your college submission outcome; it is how the college will let you know if they need additional information to support your application, and it can be a way to learn about applying for scholarships.
If my former seniors were reading this right now, they’d definitely be rolling their eyes. “OMG, seriously again with the portal”. But even as they were saying that, each of them could share stories with you about how and why this checks and balance system supported their timely and less stressful execution of their application submissions.
On a grander scale, the portal and the system of checks and balances emphasizes taking ownership of the process through follow up and accountability. It’s a way for the student to strengthen these important skills to support them for college readiness, setting them up for success in college and beyond.