Type-A vs. January Seniors… who’s better prepared?
Years ago — back when I still worked in an office and still answered an actual desk phone — I picked up a call that I will never forget.
On the other end was a sweet mom, whispering like she had ducked into a closet so her family wouldn't hear her.
“Christy… my daughter just started kindergarten… and I want to make sure I’m doing everything right to set her up for college.”
Kindergarten.
We’re talking nap times, jelly-covered fingers, and high-stakes negotiation over who gets the sparkly stickers.
It was adorable. Earnest. And deeply human.
My then-boss, a nationally recognized college planner, gently assured her that the only “college prep” her child needed at that age was to master tying her shoes — but that conversation lives rent-free in my head to this day. Why? Because underneath the question was the Universal Parent Fear:
“Am I behind?”
So let’s unpack this whole fear — and talk about what “ideal” timing looks like in the wild world of teens.
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The Timing Talk
(Served With a Side of Tree Wisdom)
When parents ask me, “When’s the best time to start the college process?” I usually give them my remix of that ancient proverb about planting trees:
“The best time was probably last year.
But the second-best time is today.”
Early makes things easier, absolutely. But starting NOW works just as beautifully.
And here's why: teens don't fit on spreadsheets. And they don’t run on standard-issue timelines. They run on spark.
The same goes for busy parents.
And so whenever that spark happens, that’s when we move.
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The Junior-Year Girls
Who Are Already Two Steps Ahead
These girls — and their equally proactive (or somewhat stressed) parents — regularly reach out in the spring of 11th grade. I can imagine them carrying color-coded timelines, anxiety tucked neatly into a side pocket.
They’re Type A. Authoritative. Deliciously Ambitious. And driven to remain Ahead of the game because then their world feels less like looking at the aftermath of a date-night closet tornado.
Here’s the vibe of our first conversation:
They’ve got a ranked list of campuses they've already visited
They have opinions: “too small,” “I look great in the school colors,” or “the vibes were off”
They're confident and ready to talk majors (even though they’ll most likely change their mind twice before graduation)
They’ve got a list of topics for the Personal Statement they've been curating since 9th grade
They’re already mentally walking the quad of their dream school — hoodie on, coffee in hand.
So, where do I come in? I take all that nervous energy and channel it. I help them make sense of the landscape so they don’t scatter their efforts — they aim them.
Scattered energy leads to a dozen half-formed ideas, five abandoned essay drafts, and a Common App that looks like a garage sale.
Strategic firepower, on the other hand, produces a school list that actually fits, a personal story admissions officers notice, and an application that feels intentional, which matches exactly who these students are.
For the planners and the processors, starting early isn’t overkill — it’s alignment. These kids thrive when the groundwork is laid early in the process, and they've got clear and focused direction.
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The Seniors Who Show Up in January
Every year, right after winter break, I meet the Late Bloomers.
These are typically young men, often sporting that telltale “my friends are done and I haven’t even logged in” panic in their eyes.
Last year’s duo arrived in mid-January. The Early Action ship had sailed. The Regular Decision ship was leaving the dock. Their classmates were comparing acceptance letters… and these guys were still digesting gingerbread.
They were overwhelmed, stressed in a completely different way from the students I work with over the summer, and convinced they had blown their entire future.
But late doesn’t always mean lazy. Sometimes, late just means not ready until right now.
Here’s how we turned the ship around:
Found schools that were still open for enrollment (yes, there are always more than you think)
Filtered for actual fit: One was in search of urban Orthodox Jewish life, while the other wanted strong LGBTQ+ support
Filtered out the “everyone is ahead of me/I'm so far behind” noise by focusing on next steps, one at a time
Crushed the personal statement, then the activity list, and then the supplemental essays…and hit submit to plenty of great schools
My part in the process? Late starters don’t need a lecture; they need a map. I help them cut the guilt spiral, look at what was actually on the table, and build a plan from right where they stand. Once they stopped panicking, the momentum (and relief) was instant.
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The Only Clock That Counts
Here is the thing I invite you to hold gently:
There is no Master Timeline.
None. Zero. Zip.
College planning isn’t about the calendar. It’s about readiness.
Some teens steady themselves by starting early
Some don’t ignite until the stakes get real
Some don’t find direction and focus until the eleventh hour
Readiness doesn’t own a watch. It doesn’t care if it’s June, October, or five minutes before the ball drops on New Year’s Eve. It shows up when your teen knows what environment they need, what pace feels right, and what genuinely interests them.
Once a teen steps into the process with genuine ownership — even if it’s later than you hoped — they make faster progress than if you had dragged them kicking and screaming months earlier. When they decide to begin, that's exactly when they reach the top of the hill and start to pick up momentum as they head down the other side.
As a mentor once told me, all our power lies in a decision.
If your teen is one of those Late Bloomers and you’re approaching the January deadlines with dread… let’s talk. It's not too late (yet).
Your teen is unique. Their path is unique. The support them need is unique. And for every teen, wherever they may be in the application process, I’ve got insights and tools to support them on the ride ahead.
With love, strategy, and the reminder that great futures grow just fine (even if planted when the ground is half-frozen),
Christy Sharafinski
Your go-to college essay + admissions mentor
P.S. If you think the mall is crowded in December, you should see my calendar. If your teen needs help, snag a spot before we slide into full-on holiday chaos.
👋 Hi, if we haven't met yet, I'm Christy. I help students craft standout essays so they can submit their best possible applications with confidence.
Wanna chat? www.calendly.com/easiercollegeessays/30min
