For millions of high school seniors, fall brings a sense of anticipation and fear about applying for college admissions.

After enduring an endless barrage of standardized tests, honors classes, and extra curricular activities, many students are completely stressed out and overwhelmed. Even more discouraging, the enigmatic admissions process causes students and parents consternation.

Here are three easy tips to streamline the college admissions process:

1. Start early!

I can’t stress this enough. The majority of college applications are turned in the week before admissions deadline. I strongly urge any student to finish their applications as soon as possible and submit earlier rather than later.

Students who are ahead of the curve show the admissions committee that they can meet deadlines and don’t procrastinate. Applying early may increase a student’s chances of admissions since the committee still hasn’t filled its college class.

2. Make your essays sparkle!

If I read one more essay about building latrines in Costa Rica, the last minutes of a high school sporting event, or how climbing a mountain gave you clarity on life – I’ll find another line of work.

Admissions counselors read countless versions of these clichéd topics again and again. Think outside the box and find a topic that only you could write about.

3. Apply to the right amount of schools!

There are so many wonderful schools out there – do your research so you have many options. I recommend for my students to apply to at least nine schools – three that are safeties, three that are matches, and three that are reaches.

This way you won’t be stuck attending the only school you were accepted to since you will have choices.

Alana Albertson is the founder of Academe Advantage (www.AcademeAdvantage.com) and has a masters degree in Education from Harvard University and a bachelors degree in English from Stanford University. Alana provides rare insight as both a successful two-time Ivy League applicant and as a former admissions officer with more than 16 years experience in test preparation and college and graduate school admissions. She has prepared thousands of students for the SAT test. She is also the president of Romance Writers of America’s Young Adult Writers chapter.