Know Your Deadlines
Seems simple enough, I know. However, with deadlines generally starting in mid-December, it can be very east to procrastinate, placing emphasis on finishing the semester strong and putting your applications on a back burner. I managed to avoid this, but succumbed to another trap inherent in applications with early January deadlines. I figured I could relax a bit, since over Winter Break I would have plenty of time to work on things. However, free time over the holidays isn’t as plentiful as one would like, especially when more than a couple relatives are around.

Record and displayu your list of deadlines as if it were a beacon, so that it cannot be ignored or forgotten. Also, remember that those deadlines usually don’t mean the package must be postmarked by said date, but rather that the school wants all your materials in hand at that time, so give yourself ample time for the good old postal service to do its duty.

Start Early
I can't, I repeat can not, stress this enough. Often the majority of an application form is completed rather easily-- filling in personal information, schools attended, and GPA information can be done in a matter of minutes if you have your information right at hand. It is in writing the essays where you will find yourself wanting as much time as possible. Most schools will want to know why you want to go there, what your goals are, etc. Simple enough questions if they were to come up in casual conversation, but one-sentence answers aren't going to cut it with your admissions board.

The admissions board reviews application after application after application. The typed questions on the application form may ask one thing, but the basic query that they really want an answer to is this: What sets you apart from all the other Joe or Jane Academics out there? Why should we grant you admittance? This is why you will want as much time as possible. It is a tough line to tow between blowing your horn too much and saying just enough to sufficiently showcase your talents for the board.

Even if your applications don't have specific questions, more often than not they will ask for a Statement of Purpose, which can be even harder to construct than essays, as you are not provided any direction for it.