This part is all about execution: turning your self-awareness, essays, and ECs into a strategically positioned, submission-ready package.


🧱 PART 3: APPLICATION SYSTEMS + STRATEGY

“The system you build will determine the outcomes you achieve.” — James Clear

We’re now engineering your college app system — not just completing tasks, but setting up a repeatable, stress-free flow to execute like a pro.


🔍 DECONSTRUCTION

Let’s break down the entire application system into 5 pillars:

Pillar Description Example Tools
🎯 School List Strategy Balanced mix of reach/target/safety aligned with your values Notion tracker, CollegeVine, BigFuture
🧩 Application Platforms Common App, Coalition App, UC App, school-specific portals Master platform tracker, deadline map
⏳ Timeline & Deadlines Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision Notion calendar, timeline view
🧠 Positioning Strategy Aligning your story across all materials Thematic storyboard, "one-liner" identity
💰 Financial Strategy Scholarships, FAFSA, CSS Profile, interviews Financial aid organizer, scholarship database

⛓️ SEQUENCING

Let’s put this into a depth-first + DiSSS sequence for clarity and efficiency:


1️⃣ Build a Thematic Narrative (“One-Liner”)

Your entire app should echo a 1-sentence identity:

“I’m a first-gen Haitian-American innovator blending mechanical engineering and storytelling to empower underserved communities through tech.”

This “one-liner” becomes your: