College Application Timeline
Everything you need to do to complete the college admissions process.
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NOTE:
Below is a general timeline for the major parts of the college application process. The exact deadlines will vary by college and high school, so we recommend making a calendar for your specific due dates and including all the aspects we mention here.
Senior - Summer Before
SAT/ACT Exams
Though you can take the SAT or ACT during your senior year, this makes it way too close to your application deadlines. You may not even receive your score before submitting some of your applications, which is why we recommend taking the exams earlier and saving this time frame for a final attempt at the exam if needed. You can sign up for the SAT on CollegeBoard’s website and for the ACT on their website.
Research Colleges
Using our helpful hints from College Tip of the Week #7: Safety, Target, and Reach Schools and College Tip of the Week #8: College Research, develop a list of schools you would like to apply to based on your academics, preferences, and finances.
Visit colleges
Even if you are not be able to visit a college campus in-person, you can utilize virtual tours on a college’s website and the college’s social media to receive updated news and information. For a student’s perspective, you can read posts on Reddit and Rate My Professors, as well as watch Youtube videos. For more tips on visiting colleges virtually, check out our College Tip of The Week #9: Getting a “feel” for a college.
AUGUST
Complete Rolling Admissions Applications
Many Texas public colleges review applications on a rolling basis, meaning that the earlier you apply, the better chance you have to be accepted and the more scholarships you will likely receive. If you are in the top 10% of your class, you will gain automatic admission to these colleges, and if you are in the top 6% you will gain automatic admission to UT Austin. However, you are not guaranteed your major at these colleges, so if do not apply early enough you may not be able to pursue the major you are interested in if there is not enough space.
Complete background info for Applications
Complete the background information on your application websites. For Common App, fill out the “Common App” tab and search for colleges to add to your “My Colleges” list, using the available filters. Look the required application materials for the colleges you wish to apply to and the record the deadlines. For more information, check out our College Tip of the Week #12: Common App.
Write College Essays
Begin writing drafts for your Common App personal statement, as well as the supplemental essays required by the colleges you are planning on applying to. Revise and edit your drafts and have others (parents, teachers, counselors, etc.) give their input. Continue working on your essays in the coming months, and try to complete your final copy at least a week before your application deadline. Give yourself plenty of time! Visit our services page if you would like our help with your college essays.
Apply for Scholarships
There are thousands of scholarships available with hundreds of deadlines, so we recommend searching on Scholarships.com or other safe websites for scholarships you are eligible for. Keep track of the deadlines of these and continue working on them periodically throughout your senior year. For tips on getting started, look at our College Tip of the Week #17: Scholarship Applications.
OCTOBER
Complete Financial Aid Documents
The FAFSA form, on the Federal Student Aid website, opens on October 1. Though you have until January 15 to complete it, you will want to submit it early in October to make sure you get the amount of financial aid that you need. The earlier you complete the form, the potentially higher amount of aid you can receive. Some colleges also require the CSS Profile on CollegeBoard’s website, which provides you the ability to receive additional college financial aid. Make sure you determine if the schools you are applying to require the CSS profile, or complete it just in case!
Letters of Recommendation
Make sure you ask for Letters of Recommendation at least a month before the deadline, but preferably even earlier. Make sure you ask someone who knows you well and can speak to your strengths, rather than someone who has a large title in your community but has not spent much time working with you.
NOVEMBER
Submit College Applications
(Early Action/Early Decision)
Some Early Decision and Early Action applications are due on November 1, so make sure you know your deadlines and get them done beforehand! Many California schools are also due on November 30 (they only offer regular decision, so this is quite earlier than most schools). For more information on types of applications, read our College Tip of the Week #4: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision.
Alumni Interviews
(for Early Action/Early Decision schools)
Depending on the college, interviews may or may not be offered. Interviews are an incredible opportunity for you to learn about the college firsthand and convey the unique abilities and experiences you can bring to the college’s campus. For help preparing for your interview, visit our services page to meet with one of our consultants.
JANUARY
Accept admission to Early Decision school
If you applied Early Decision to a college, you agree to accept admission to the college as long as the financial aid package is reasonable for your situation. It is binding. You must also withdraw your applications to any other school, once you have accepted admission.
Submit College Applications
(Regular Decision)
Some Early Decision and Early Action applications are due on January 1, so make sure you know your deadlines and get them done beforehand! You likely have already received your admissions notification for early applications, so make sure you start these regular applications well in advance to give yourself enough time.
Alumni Interviews
(for Regular Decision schools)
Depending on the college, interviews may or may not be offered. Interviews are an incredible opportunity for you to learn about the college firsthand and convey the unique abilities and experiences you can bring to the college’s campus. For help preparing for your interview, visit our services page to meet with one of our consultants.
Submit a Mid-Year Transcript
Your counselor must submit your Mid-Year Transcript for you, so make sure to contact them at least a month before the deadline and follow up with them periodically. The deadline for submitting this transcript is usually in February for most schools, but submit them as soon as they are available to you after your first-semester grades are posted.
MAY
Accept Admission to College!
(Early Action and Regular Decision)
May 1, typically referred to as College Decision Day, is the date by which most colleges require you to accept admission. When determining the college that is right for you, consider using our advice from College Tip of the Week #8: College Research as well as your family, teachers, counselors, and friends.
Review Financial Aid
Once you have accepted admission to the college that suits you best, will need to plan out how you will pay for it. Some schools will require you to accept or reject parts of a financial aid package, so makes sure you sign and send these forms to your college. Some schools also require a student contribution, so you may need to get a summer job or utilize a portion of your savings to cover these costs. You also have the option to continue applying for scholarships, as many of them are still available into the summer months.
JUNE
Send End-Of-Year Transcript
Once again, your counselor has to submit End-Of-Year Transcripts for you, so make sure to contact them a month in advance of the deadline and follow up with them.