Below are month-by-month lists of suggested deadlines for college-related tasks to be completed before or during your senior year of high school. Typically, these tasks should be completed on or before the month they are listed beneath. However, keep in mind that it is your responsibility be aware of actual deadlines.
September
- Meet with your school counselor to discuss plans
- Research possible colleges by reading brochures and websites
- Create a Common Application account
- Investigate and apply for scholarships
- Consider early application options
- Register for the SAT or ACT
- Develop a system to keep track of college-related deadlines
- Create a list of activities and accomplishments to make it easier to complete college applications
- Seek opportunities to strengthen your application, such as assuming leadership roles in activities and participating in community service projects
- Find out college events, such as presentations on college issues or visits by admissions representatives
October
- Take the SAT or ACT
- Submit early decision application materials, if applicable
- Begin working on college applications and writing essays
- Ask teachers for positive recommendations
- Apply for scholarships
- Meet with your school counselor to discuss college plans
- Keep grades up. Discuss any academic difficulties with your teachers and school counselor.
November
- Take the SAT
- Meet with college representatives
- Visit college campuses
- Submit college applications and supplementary materials (Many schools have a November application deadline)
- Meet with your school counselor to discuss college plans
- Keep grades up. Discuss any academic difficulties with your teachers and school counselor.
December
- Take the SAT or ACT
- Expect early application news by the middle of the month
- Discuss any college decisions you receive
- Meet with your school counselor to discuss college plans
- Keep grades up. Discuss any academic difficulties with your teachers and school counselor.
January
- Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application as soon possible after January 1st
- Submit admissions applications to colleges with January deadlines
- Research scholarships for incoming students at prospective colleges
- Notify prospective colleges of spring semester schedule changes if applicable
- Keep grades up. Discuss any academic difficulties with your teachers and school counselor.
February
- Submit FAFSA application
- Check with colleges to be certain all application materials have been received
- Expect some college decisions from colleges that have a rolling admission process
- Meet with your school counselor to discuss college plans
- Keep grades up. Discuss any academic difficulties with your teachers and school counselor.
March
- Submit FAFSA application if you have not already done so. FAFSA applications should be submitted no later than the middle of March in order to be considered for the maximum aid amount.
- Meet with your school counselor to discuss college plans
- Keep grades up. Discuss any academic difficulties with your teachers and school counselor.
April
- Receive college acceptance letters by the middle of the month
- Discuss college selection decision with your school counselor
- Visit colleges that have accepted you
- Select a college to attend
- Submit tuition and housing deposits to the college you have decided to attend (Deadline is usually May 1st)
- Notify colleges you have decided against that you are not attending
- Meet with your school counselor to discuss college plans
- Keep grades up. Discuss any academic difficulties with your teachers and school counselor.<
May
- Be sure that your tuition and housing deposits have been submitted by May 1st
- Keep grades up. Discuss any academic difficulties with your teachers and school counselor.
- Study hard for all final examinations
June
- Attend graduation ceremony
- Make certain that your final transcript is sent to your chosen college
- Read all materials received from colleges
- Write thank you notes to everyone who wrote letters of recommendation for you or who helped you apply for college
- Register for a college orientation session
