College Application Timeline
Everything you need to do to complete the college admissions process.
Display timeline for:
Junior - Summer Before
Prepare for the SAT/ACT
The summer before your junior year is the optimal time to start preparing for your SAT, as during the school year you will have to dedicate time to classes, extracurricular activities, leadership positions, and more. For tips to get started, read our College Tip of the Week #13: How to prepare for SAT/ACT exams.
Spend your summer wisely
Though you should take time off during the summer to relax before your classes start again, try to find local volunteer opportunities or a part time job for a few weeks to gain valuable experience and start building your resume.
Junior - Fall
Talk to your school counselor
Whether you are struggling with choosing classes, finding organizations to join, creating a college list, or even your personal life, your counselor is a wonderful resource for you. Asking them to help you plan your junior year is a great idea, in order to make sure you choose the right classes that challenge you, take college preparatory exams, and spend your summer after junior year wisely.
Take the PSAT
Though this test score will not be sent to colleges, it is a good measurement of how well you will perform on your SAT test. It is also the basis for eligibility regarding the National Merit Scholarship Program, where you can earn recognition as a commended student, semifinalist, or finalist and obtain scholarships for your hard work.
Take college-prep courses
Your junior year academic activity will likely be the most recent for the college admissions committee, so make sure to take challenging courses (such as AP or IB). These courses show colleges that you are taking the most rigorous schedule you can handle and that you are driven and hardworking. However, make sure that you do not overload yourself with too many difficult courses, as you want to leave enough time for your extracurricular activities and leisure. Remember, getting a B in an AP class is better than getting an A in an easier class.
Focus on your grades
Since many of your college applications are due before the first semester grades of senior year are finalized, colleges will be looking at your junior year grades. Try your best to balance SAT/ACT studying with your extracurricular activities and classes, and make getting an A your goal.
Learn about colleges
This is the best time to attend college fairs, ask college friends for their opinion, and talk with college representatives, whether virtually or in-person. You can also talk with your family and same-year friends about their thoughts. Continue this throughout your junior and senior years to formulate your college list over time.
Visit college campuses
This is the time to get a feeling for what a college campus is like. Even though you may not want to attend these schools, it is a great opportunity to get an initial impression. You always have the opportunity to visit a college virtually or get a student’s opinion. For guidance, read our College tip of the Week #9: Getting a “feel” for a college. Visiting a college campus is best to do during the school year rather than summer, since students will be active walking to classes, playing sports, and studying in the libraries. This is the an incredible way to get exposed to the “atmosphere” of a school. Continue visiting schools in your junior and senior years.
Obtain leadership positions
In the few student organizations you have committed to, run for leadership positions to obtain a more active role. In addition, apply for leadership conferences or organizations focused on helping your community, such as a mayor’s youth council. You can even start your own organization or initiative, which will convey your ability to organize and inspire people to further a benevolent cause.
Junior - Winter
Take the SAT/ACT
Since this is most likely your first attempt, do your best and try to get used to the test environment, stress, amount of time you have per section, and approximate time you can spend per question. Plan to take the test more than once until you receive a score that you are satisfied with, but avoid taking it over 4 times.
Take SAT Subject Tests
(Fall courses)
SAT Subject Tests focus on certain topics from classes you can take in high school, and are required by some colleges. They are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge of a particular subject to colleges. Near the end of your first semester is a good time to take subject tests for classes ending in the fall, when the material is still fresh in your mind. You can also take the SAT Subject Tests for other classes you have had in previous years.
Start creating a college list
Start thinking of around 10 to 20 colleges that you are interested in applying to, attempting to have varying degrees of selectivity (for more info check out College Tip of the Week #7: Safety, Target, and Reach Schools). You will alter and narrow down this list over your junior and senior years, as you visit colleges and research more about them. You can also schedule a call or visit with college representatives to get more information about a specific school
Apply for scholarships
Midway through your junior year is when more traditional scholarships (for seniors) will be available to you. Search online at Scholarships.com or other safe sites for scholarships that you are eligible for, and continue this throughout your summer and senior year. For tips on getting started, look at our College Tip of the Week #17: Scholarship Applications.
Junior - Spring
Take SAT Subject Tests
(Spring courses)
SAT Subject Tests focus on certain topics from classes you can take in high school, and are required by some colleges. They are a great way to demonstrate your knowledge of a particular subject to colleges. Near the end of your second semester is a good time to take subject tests for classes ending in the spring, when the material is still fresh in your mind.
Take AP/IB Exams
AP/IB Exams are yet another way to demonstrate your mastery of a certain class or subject, and you should definitely take them. Even if you do not do well, you still conveyed your drive and determination to challenge yourself to the college admissions committee. Unlike SAT Subject Tests, AP/IB tests require a lot more preparation and studying, since there is an essay portion and the multiple-choice questions require a much deeper college-level understanding of the material.
Find summer opportunities
The last summer before your college applications is an important one. You will definitely want to leave time for working on your college essays and applying for scholarships, but you also do not want to just sit home. Finding a part-time job or volunteer opportunities for a few weeks is a great way to show the admissions committee that you will continue to stay active into your college years.
Visit colleges
After you have had time to think about your college list and refined it, it is a good time to visit the schools you are interested in applying to. This can be done virtually as well as by viewing the virtual tours on college campus websites. You can even do this in the summer if you would like to check out the overall campus, dorms, recreation center, and classes, but remember that it may feel empty without the students. If you are having trouble finding time during the spring, feel free to visit in early September of your senior year.
Start saving for college
It may seem like paying for college is far away, but time goes by quickly when you many other responsibilities to keep up with. It is never too late to open a bank account or even a piggy bank at home to put your paychecks, allowance, or any other sources of income to save for your college tuition.