Application Timelines

Freshman Year

(for a full downloaded copy, please see pages 5-7 on the College Guidance Handbook.)

Get to know your teachers.
Begin to explore your interests and passions. Get involved in those areas. Invest in extracurriculars. Volunteer in areas of interest to you.
Try something new!
Look into summer academic opportunities and service projects.
If you are interested in applying to a military academy, begin researching the process.

Sophomore Year

(for a full downloaded copy, please see pages 5-7 on the College Guidance Handbook.)

Fall

October: Take the practice PSAT in October. Use the results to strengthen areas of weakness before taking the test next year.

Winter

December/January: Consider how you will spend your summer. Use it well! Look into job opportunities or summer academic programs.
Meet with your college guidance counselor to discuss your initial thoughts about college.
Visit the websites of your dream colleges. Look at their admissions requirements to begin getting a feel for what they require.
Attend a college fair.
Determine whether you will take any SAT Subject tests and register.

Junior Year

(for a full downloaded copy, please see pages 5-7 on the College Guidance Handbook.)

Summer

Make the best use of your time in the summer. Find a job or internship, volunteer, or participate in a summer academic program. Do something that interests you!
Study for the PSAT - work on strategies, take practice tests, or take a prep class.
Read for pleasure (reading is one of the best ways to prepare for the PSAT).
Begin visiting colleges and researching scholarship opportunities.
Plan out your standardized testing schedule for your Junior year.

Fall

September: Take a PSAT prep class. Practice with sample tests.
October: Take the PSAT.
Register for a spring offering of the SAT.
Meet with your college guidance counselor.
Continue to research colleges and build your interest list.
Attend local college fairs.
Research scholarships and make a list of deadlines (Some scholarship deadlines may be during your Junior year).
Research and apply for summer academic and research programs hosted at colleges.

Spring

Study for the SAT or ACT - work on strategies, take practice tests, or take a prep class.
Take the SAT or ACT.
Attend a local college fair.
Visit 2-3 colleges. Spring break is a great time for this!
Meet with your college guidance counselor to continue developing your college list.
Plan an interesting summer! Look into internships, jobs, or volunteer opportunities.
Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers before summer break.
Take AP tests or SAT Subject tests.

Senior Year

(for a full downloaded copy, please see pages 5-7 on the College Guidance Handbook.)

Summer

Take initiative - do something that interests you! Find an internship, a volunteer opportunity, or a job. If you know what you want to study in college, do something related to that field.
Research scholarships and begin applying.
Visit colleges!
Become familiar with the Common App when it becomes available on August 1.
Begin writing your college essays.
Study for the SAT or ACT by working on strategies, taking practice tests, or taking a prep class.
Get organized! Create a master calendar of deadlines (applications, test registration, test dates, scholarship applications, financial aid, housing).
August 1: Register for ACT/SAT If you plan to take or retake.

September

Study applications of all colleges you are interested in attending to ensure you submit the correct documents and know the deadlines.
Begin applications. If applying early decision, keep in mind the deadlines for those applications.
Schedule an appointment with your college guidance counselor to discuss your plans.
Request letters of recommendation by end of September.

October

October 1: Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is available. Submit it as soon as possible after this date.
Retake SAT/SAT Subject Tests or ACT if necessary.
If you are applying “Early Decision” your application may be due as early as November 1. Complete your application.
Apply for scholarships.
Meet with your college counselor throughout the semester.
Visit additional colleges you are interested in.
Attend college fairs in the area.
Meet with your college guidance counselor to confirm the list of colleges to which you are applying.

November

Submit the CSS Profile if required by your school.
Retake SAT/SAT Subject Tests if necessary.
Nov. 1 and 15: Deadlines to submit for Early Action and Early Decision.
Continue submitting applications with rolling deadlines.
Begin working on applications with January deadlines.

December

Retake ACT if necessary.
Retake SAT/SAT Subject Tests if necessary.
Receive early decision/early action decisions.
Dec. 15 - Feb. 1: Begin submitting additional applications to schools with these deadlines.
Thank teachers who wrote recommendations on your behalf.

January

Submit the CCS Profile if required by your school.
Jan. 1 and 15: Submit additional applications by required deadlines.

February

February 1: Submit additional applications.

March - April

Colleges begin releasing admissions decisions.
Inform you guidance counselor if you have been wait-listed or rejected by an institution you hoped to attend.
Visit colleges where you have been accepted.

May

May 1: National Candidates’ Reply Date
- Make your decision on where to matriculate by this date. Inform all schools where you have been admitted of your decision.
Your final transcript will be mailed to your college choice.
Thank teachers who wrote you letters of recommendation.

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Application Timelines

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

Senior Year

College Guidance Calendar

School closed until Tu, April 14