College Application Calendar

Applying to college takes time and organization. Plan ahead and do your research to make things much easier. Keeping track of your deadlines will ensure that you have all the necessary paperwork and information given to the college at the appropriate times.

College Application Calendar for Freshmen & Sophomores:

• Get to know your high school guidance counselor.
• Plan a family discussion about college.
• Get a Social Security Number.
• Evaluate your personality, interests, and skills.
• Explore occupations, salaries, and requirements.
• Understand basic college curriculum requirements.
• Check if your state sponsors a college savings plan.
• Start investigating how much college will cost.

College Application Calendar for Juniors:

September

• Plan a family college discussion.
• Review your courses with your high school guidance counselor.
• Sign up to take the PSAT.
• Get and stay organized. Create files to keep copies of applications and correspondence. Set up a calendar to track important dates and deadlines.

October-November

• Attend college fairs and financial aid nights.
• Take the PSAT.
• Start searching for scholarships and ways to pay for your education.
• Review descriptions of the different types of schools.
• Begin to understand the basics about federal and private loans.
• Plan and make college visits.

December

• Review your PSAT results with your counselor.

January

• Identify characteristics you want in a college.
• Attend college fairs and financial aid nights.

February

• Register and study for the SAT.

March

• Plan campus visits.
• Narrow your college list to a reasonable number.
• Contact the financial aid office for each college on your list to discuss payment options.
• Keep up college discussions with your family and counselors.
• Estimate how much various colleges will cost.

April-May

• Select senior year classes - check with your counselor to ensure your courses meet necessary college requirements.
• Take the SAT.
• Select Advanced Placement (AP) courses, if desired.

Summer

• Continue searching for scholarships and ways to pay.
• Combine vacation plans with campus visits.
• Start working on your college application essays.
• Decide who you'll ask to write letters of recommendation.
• Register for the SAT early for fall, if necessary.

College Application Calendar for Seniors:

September

• Discuss your classes, college plans, and test scores with your high school counselor.
• Begin applying to colleges.
• Continue working on your college essays.
• Continue to search for scholarships and grants.

October

• Ask for letters of recommendation. Most admissions and scholarship applications require these letters.
• Candidates for early school admission (early decision, early action, early admission, etc.) should complete college applications. It's a good idea to investigate the pros and cons of this decision and to get familiar with the early admission timeline.

November

• Wrap up your college essays.
• Continue completing your college applications.
• Early decision deadline is often November 1 or 15.
• Determine which financial aid forms the colleges on your list require - when in doubt contact the financial aid office.

December

• Complete school applications, ideally by December 1.
• Early decision and early application responses begin arriving this month.

January

• Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.
• Fill out and submit required financial aid forms. Follow instructions carefully and make copies.
• Familiarize yourself with state financial aid deadlines. They tend to differ from federal and institutional deadlines.
• Let your parents know that the IRS could save them money through education tax deductions and credits.

February-March

• Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR). If there are special circumstances affecting your family's financial situation, be sure to discuss them with the financial aid office.
• Stay on top of important financial aid deadlines.
• Respond quickly to college requests for additional documentation.
• College acceptance and financial award letters start rolling.

April

• Make a decision and send your tuition deposit (most colleges require a response by May 1).
• Notify the other colleges that you won't be attending.
• Register for Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if necessary.
• Carefully follow the instructions in your acceptance letter. Along with important deadlines, these letters provide specific instructions on housing, financial aid, orientation, and more.
• Continue to mark your calendar with important deadlines.

May

• Mail your official transcripts.
• Respond quickly to requests and return necessary forms.
• Notify your financial aid office of additional funding you'll receive to pay for college (scholarships and loans, etc.).
• If you are taking AP exams make sure that your score report is sent to your final-choice college.

June

• Your guidance counselor should send a copy of the final transcript to your college choice.

July-August

• Register and attend a college orientation session.
• Confirm housing arrangements and meal plans.