Did you spend most of the summer before your senior year finishing college applications only to be left in the dark by your school’s guidance administration? If so, you’re not alone.

High schools nationwide must provide more resources for seniors applying to college during the summer of their junior year.

Many high school students have taken great initiative over the summer to prioritize their academic careers and prepare their college applications. Students have worked on compiling the perfect resume to apply as soon as possible. However, students across the U.S. often need their official transcripts, guidance counselor letters, or even the guidance administration to open their Naviance portal for applications.

The Common Application officially opens on August 1st each year, and the College Board recommends on their website that you start your college application process “the summer before your senior year.” As of the beginning of September, Hershey High School’s Naviance portal had only been open one day before the guidance counselors led a lesson on the college application process. A common issue raised by students at Hershey High is that, even though their resumes were completed, the Hershey administration in charge of the Naviance system does not allow students to add colleges to their “Colleges I’m Applying To” list until the early days of September. This delay prevents students from submitting their applications earlier than average, which can demonstrate hard work and dedication to college admission officers. Applying early shows initiative and making a strong first impression can be a significant advantage in the application process.

According to the University of South Florida, the most crucial time to apply to colleges is during the fall of your senior year. If you are concerned or trying to be more proactive with your education, you should have your college applications fine-tuned and submitted by late September or early October. However, if students cannot add colleges to their “Colleges I’m Applying To” list, they cannot request teacher recommendations. Some colleges require teacher recommendations, so this obstacle makes it virtually impossible for students to have their applications ready for early submission.

While many high schools provide college fairs and instant decision days, this is only the tip of the iceberg. College tours can be expensive, and many families cannot afford the cost of traveling. According to U.S. News & World Report, the average price of a college visit is around $2,000, which is out of reach for many families who don’t have the luxury of pulling two thousand dollars from their bank accounts.

By reaching out to your high school’s principal or school board, you can advocate for yourself and many other students who need better support during the challenging college application process. For Hershey High School Students, contact Principal Lindsay Schmidt or the Hershey School Board Administration here.