After a slow start in the college application process, more than 100 seniors have applied to four-year universities this semester and at least 300 have applied to two-year universities.

“The momentum is shifting. Kids are realizing they need to get things done as soon as possible,” college adviser Sarah Simmons said. “I just hope everybody remembers the December first deadline. It does make me feel better though that things are getting done.”

Some students were ahead of the curve and applied to colleges early on in the year.

Senior Savanah Baliff has already received acceptance letters from the University of Texas and Texas A&M.

“It took me a month or less to apply,” Baliff said. “There is so much more that goes into it than I thought. Not having my essays finished affected me a lot.”

Baliff stresses that finishing essays is key to applying in a timely manner.

“Your essays really need to be perfect because it gives you a better chance of getting in but the essays are the hardest part of the application,” Baliff said. “The rest is just filling out information and sending stuff in.”

Baliff plans to major in public relations at either UT or A&M.

“Some schools it’s first come first serve so students might not get the major they want,” she said. “I don’t really have to stress about coming close to the deadlines now.”

Senior Fred Blackman has been accepted to Texas Lutheran University and the University of Alabama in the beginning of the school year.

“It didn’t take me too long. I finished my Alabama application in one day,” Blackman said. “The longest part was waiting for my transcripts.”

Blackman also applied to Texas Christian University, University of Texas at Austin, Texas A&M, and Baylor University. He plans to major in business and administration.

“Seniors should be applying as soon as they can,” Blackman said. “Order your transcripts now. You don’t want to be ambushed with a bunch of applications at the last minute.”