Field log, Fall 2026

Xavier's Dig Site

Applications to Virginia Tech, James Madison and George Mason, all under Early Action. Every layer below is one week of work, from the first brush strokes to the day the finds go in the box.

--days to target submission, Thu Oct 29
--days to working deadline, Sun Nov 1

The Three Dig Sites

The school's own deadline and requirements for each site. Early Action is non-binding at all three.

Site 1

Virginia Tech

Official deadline Nov 15. Working deadline Nov 1.

  • Ut Prosim Profile: 4 short answers, 120 words each, locked after submission
  • Honors College box checked
  • Self-reported STARS course record opens after the application is in
  • Test optional
  • Fee $60
Site 2

James Madison

Nov 1. Every piece is due that day.

  • Application, official transcript with senior schedule, and Honors essays all due Nov 1
  • Honors College: 2 essays, 200 words each, entered with the application
  • Transcript sent electronically by the school counselor
  • Test optional
  • Fee $70
Site 3

George Mason

Nov 1, 11:59 pm ET. Regular Decision is Feb 1.

  • Honors College essay: 500 words max, choose 1 of 2 prompts
  • Official transcript required
  • Recommendation letter submitted through the Common App
  • Score optional
  • Fee $75
Plan: aim to submit all three on Thursday, October 29. That leaves three days of cushion before the Sunday, November 1 deadline.

The Prep Lab

Essays are cleaned and brushed here before they go in the box. Status as of October 3, 2026.

SpecimenLengthStatusNext
VT Ut Prosim 1: Community120 wordsFinalLast read before submitting
VT Ut Prosim 2120 wordsFinalLast read before submitting
VT Ut Prosim 3: Leadership120 wordsFinalLast read before submitting
VT Ut Prosim 4: A goal120 wordsFinalLast read before submitting
JMU Honors 1: Ideal college experience200 wordsNot startedBrainstorm, then first draft by Oct 11
JMU Honors 2: Quality that matters most200 wordsNot startedBrainstorm, then first draft by Oct 11
GMU Honors (1 of 2 prompts)500 words maxNot startedPick a prompt, first draft by Oct 11
Common App personal essay650 wordsNot submittingOptional at all three schools

The Strata

Five layers, oldest at the top. Checked items are done.

Layer 1

Triassic

Sep 28 to Oct 4
Setup and first brushwork
  • VT Ut Prosim first drafts
  • Apply to the Honors College at VT, JMU and GMU
  • Common App: all three schools added, Early Action selected
  • Profile, family and education sections
  • Decide on the optional personal essay (no)
  • Recommendation letter requested through the Common App (GMU Honors)
  • Transcript copy and senior schedule in hand for the VT course record
  • VT Ut Prosim essays revised and closed
  • Request official transcripts for JMU and GMU from the school counselor
  • Ask the counselor for the school's internal deadlines for transcripts and letters
  • Activities list
  • Brainstorm the JMU Honors prompts
  • Brainstorm the GMU Honors prompt choice
Layer 2

Jurassic

Oct 5 to Oct 11
First drafts
  • JMU Honors first drafts, both essays (due Oct 11)
  • GMU Honors first draft (due Oct 11)
  • Activities section, first pass
Layer 3

Cretaceous

Oct 12 to Oct 18
Feedback and revisions
  • Feedback on the JMU and GMU Honors first drafts
  • Xavier revises each essay
  • Activities section final
Layer 4

Paleogene

Oct 19 to Oct 25
Polish
  • Final feedback round on all essays
  • Word counts at or under the limits: 120 (VT), 200 (JMU Honors), 500 (GMU Honors)
  • Mechanics check, with Xavier making every correction
  • Confirm the transcripts were sent and the recommendation letter shows as submitted
Layer 5

Summit

Oct 26 to Nov 1
Final checks and submit
Mon Oct 26Final read of every essay and short answer
Tue Oct 27Final checklist for GMU (Honors box checked) and JMU (both Honors essays entered, official transcript received)
Wed Oct 28Final checklist for VT (Honors box checked, Ut Prosim answers can't be changed after submission)
Thu Oct 29Submit all three. Save the confirmations.
Oct 30 to Nov 1Cushion. Confirm JMU and GMU show the transcript as received

After the Dig

The work continues once the applications are in. Dates are the schools' own.

WhenWhat
Within 72 hours of submittingVT emails the Applicant Portal instructions
When the portal opensComplete the VT STARS record: all courses and grades for 9th to 11th grade, plus 12th grade courses in progress or planned
Done2027-28 FAFSA completed
By Jan 8, 2027VT Honors College scholarship application, if invited (essay of 500 words or fewer)
Jan 22, 2027VT General Scholarship Application
Jan 2027JMU Madison Scholarships Hub opportunities
Mar 1, 2027FAFSA priority date for VT and GMU
May 1, 2027Reply deadline