Dear Seniors,

With many Regular Decision deadlines just two weeks away, we’re providing answers to FAQs that arise during winter break.

1. Will my counselor be available to answer questions over the vacation?

The office will be closed during winter break, and most of the counselors will be unavailable. Every few days, Mr. Worthman will check email, so email him if you have questions (CC your counselor on any emails). Please allow 3-4 days to receive a response.

2. The counselors have advised submitting applications before the deadline. How far in advance should I submit?

We recommend 48 hours in advance of each college’s deadline. In prior years, the Common Application has encountered technical issues handling application volume in early January. By submitting in advance, this ensures you’ll meet the deadline, even if the Common App isn’t functioning optimally.

3. Aside from submitting my application by the deadline, is there anything else I need to do over the break?

If you’re submitting test scores to colleges that require official score reports, send your scores from ACT and/or College Board to those colleges. If you are using a test-optional or a self-reporting policy, there is nothing else you need to do. Visit each college’s website for their testing policies.

4. Is it OK if I decide not to apply to one of the schools on my list in SCOIR?

It depends! We assume that you will submit quality applications to all colleges in your “Applying” list, especially your foundations and reaches. Because the counselors have worked to ensure this list is well-rounded, we discourage you from cutting schools unless they are unlikelies or highly unlikelies or if you have already been admitted to an Early Action school that you prefer over other colleges on your list. If you decide not to apply to school(s), email your counselor(s) who will make the change after the office reopens on January 5.

5. Over the next two weeks, can I add schools to my list in SCOIR?

We don’t think this is necessary. Applying to too many schools can decrease the quality of your applications.

However, if you make an addition, email your counselor(s) after break with the required form. Most colleges accept school reports, transcripts, recommendations, and Early Decision agreements after their deadlines, provided your application is submitted on time. Your counselor will submit Lakeside materials when the office reopens on January 5.

Note that the Common Application prohibits you from applying to more than 20 colleges (and the college counseling team discourages this, too). Should you apply to more, some colleges allow students to apply through SCOIR, but your counselor must first acknowledge the application. Should you add a college during break and need to apply through SCOIR, email Mr. Worthman so he can acknowledge the application, which will allow you to proceed.

6. I’m applying for need-based financial aid - what should I be doing over the break?

If you are applying for need-based aid, review instructions for applying on colleges’ websites and work on the applications. Most colleges have financial aid deadlines between February 1 and March 1. The break is a great opportunity to compile a list of each school's financial aid deadline and start those financial aid applications. If you were unable to participate in College Money Method’s fall webinar on completing financial aid applications, or screen-by-screen walkthroughs of the FAFSA and CSS Profile, watch recordings here (passcode: lscmm).

7. I’m going to apply for merit scholarships. Should I be doing anything over break?

The break is a great chance to begin researching scholarships. Thousands of organizations award merit scholarships, and in the past, some Lakesiders have benefited from their generosity. On the Resources Page, you can read more about scholarship opportunities and search databases under the “Paying for College” FAQs. Remember that most programs provide small awards relative to the total cost of attendance. In the past, very focused Lakesiders who have applied for many scholarships have been able to combine a couple of awards, but rarely have students been able to amass money that has exceeded five or six percent of the total cost of attendance.

8. Will my counselor review essays with early January deadlines over the break?

No. Essays with early January application deadlines were due to your counselor for feedback by December 8, and this feedback will be provided prior to winter break. Over the fall, we’re confident that students built the necessary skills and mindsets to write successful supplementary essays.

9. My application was deferred in the early round; what should I be doing during break?

Over the break, draft your “letter of continued interest” (LOCI) and share it with your counselor for feedback when you return. The LOCI is a critical step for students whose early applications were deferred. We suggest submitting this letter by January 15. (Read instructions & guidelines for the LOCI.)

10. If I decide during break to apply Early Decision 2 (ED2), what should I do?

Submit your application by the deadline, indicating in the application you're applying ED2.
Update the application round for that school in SCOIR Applying/Applied.
The student, followed by a parent/guardian, must log into your respective SCOIR accounts and sign the ED Agreement. Here’s a quick video on how (Parent/Guardian instructions begin at 3:25)
Email your counselor who will submit the ED2 agreement as soon as Lakeside reopens on January 5. As long as you submit your application by the deadline, the ED2 agreement can arrive shortly afterward.

11. If I was admitted Early Decision 1, is there anything else I need to do?

Per Lakeside's family handbook, within one week of an Early Decision admit, you must*:

For any schools where you haven't yet applied: In SCOIR, remove school(s) from Applying into Not Interested
For any schools where you've already applied and haven't received an admissions decision: Withdraw your applications (instructions from Lakeside here). Once you've sent the withdraw message to each university, please update SCOIR to say "withdrawn"
For any schools where you've already applied and been admitted: Decline their offer of admission in each applicant portal but leave the admission decision as in SCOIR (do not change to “withdrawn”)
For your ED1 school: Once you've paid your enrollment deposit, please update that school to "admitted" and "enrolling" in SCOIR. If you self-reported testing, send your official test scores from ACT or CollegeBoard.

* = If you applied for need-based financial aid, withdraw only after you have received your financial aid award and have confirmed with your parent/guardian(s) that it’s affordable.

We know this has been a long trek and you are nearing an important signpost. The counselors will continue to support you on this journey. Have a wonderful vacation and we look forward to seeing you in 2026.

Happy Holidays!

The College Counseling Team