What to Put in the "Date of Entry" Box on the Common App
What Is the "Date of Entry" in the Common App?
The “Date of Entry” section helps colleges understand when students officially begin their high school journey. Now, if you are scratching your head trying to remember that exact date, don’t worry! Fortunately, there is no need to begin frantically scrolling through your camera roll to find that beautiful first day of school picture that your parent most likely captured. Colleges are simply looking for the month and year that you started.
The good news is that most high schools start either in August or September. If you are unsure about the year, it is primarily 4 years before your intended graduation date. For example, if you are graduating in 2025, your “Date of Entry” will likely be August 2021.
How To Find The Exact Day You Began High School
If you’d like to be as specific as possible, you have a few options to find the exact date. Start by checking your school records or logging into any student portals where your academic information might be stored. Another key resource would be to reach out to your guidance counselor or the school registrar.
This takes the guesswork out of the process and saves you the stress of choosing a date that makes you feel uncertain. Obtaining the information directly from the source ensures your application is as accurate as possible!
Want help with the Common App?
How To Use The Calendar Picker On Common App
To input your start date, you’ll need to use the calendar tool provided in the Common App. This step is very important because manually typing the date won’t always work, and the system may give you an error.
Follow these key steps:
1) Click on the small calendar icon in the "Date of Entry" box.
2) Use the little arrows at the top of the calendar to scroll back and select the correct year you began high school.
3) After selecting the year, choose the month — which will usually be August or September, depending on your school.
What If You Started High School Mid-Year?
Some students may have begun their high school education in January or even transferred schools mid-year. If this applies to you, be sure to select the month and year of your first official day at your new high school or the program where you were enrolled. It is perfectly fine if this date differs from your peers — admissions offices understand that everyone’s educational journey looks different and would like each student to be as accurate as possible.
What Happens If The Date You Enter Is Wrong?
Mistakes happen and some students often enter the wrong date for this section. Accidentally entering the wrong date won’t typically impact your application, but accuracy is always best. Admissions offices understand that minor mistakes happen, and if there’s a discrepancy, they may follow up with you or your high school counselor. Nevertheless, it is always important to double-check your entry (as well as other sections on the common application) to avoid delays in processing your application.
When In Doubt, Don’t Stress! Ask For Help!
Remember that colleges are more interested in your achievements, experiences, and growth than the exact start date of high school. As long as you get the month and year right, you’re all set! The goal is to give admissions a clear timeline of your educational journey.
Additionally, remember to never feel alone when running into tricky sections of the Common App. Many students feel overwhelmed by parts of the process, but with some patience and resources, you’ve got this! Stay tuned for more tips and advice on completing your application!
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