Fall Semester

September

Check your transcripts to make sure you have all the credits you need to get into your college(s) of choice. Find out from the colleges to which you are applying whether or not they need official copies of your transcripts (sent directly from your high school) at the time of application.

Register for October/November SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Test, and ACT (with writing) tests.

Take another look at your list of colleges, and make sure that they still satisfy your requirements. Add and/or remove colleges as necessary.

Make sure you meet the requirements (including any transcript requirements) for all the colleges to which you want to apply. Double-check the deadlines, and apply.

Give any recommendation forms to the appropriate teachers or counselors with stamped, college-addressed, envelopes making certain that your portion of the forms are filled out completely and accurately.  Be sure to give them a resume of your activities.

Most early decision and early action applications are due between October 1 and November 1. Keep this in mind if you intend to take advantage of these options and remember to request that your high school send your official transcripts to the college to which you are applying.

October

Make a final list of schools that interest you and keep a file of deadlines and required admission items for each school.

Begin to request transcripts be sent to schools to which you are applying Early Decision (a binding agreement between the college and you stating if you are admitted,you will attend their institution of high learning –notification for Early Decision is mid-December), Early Action(a non-binding agreement between you and the college to enter after your senior year  if you are accepted– notification is in mid-December), or Rolling Admission(colleges will make decisions on who is admitted 3-6 weeks after receiving all application documentation).

Complete applications for colleges you are applying to Early Admission or Rolling to.

Take SAT Reasoning Test and/or ACT tests with Writing. Have the official scores sent by the testing agency to the colleges/universities that have made your final list of schools. Register for December or January SAT Reasoning Test and/or SAT Subject Test, if necessary.

Continue thinking about and beginning writing (if you have not already started) any essays to be included with your applications.

November

Submit your college admission application for Regular Admission.

If you are applying for scholarships, research deadlines, write essays for applications and request transcripts as needed.

Some private colleges may request the CSS Profile or other financial forms be completed. Check your applications for further information.

December

Early Decision replies usually arrive between December 1st and December 31st.

If you haven’t already done so, make sure your official test scores are being sent to the colleges to which you are applying.

Schedule any remaining required interviews.

Spring Semester

January

Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on or after January 1st. Contact the Financial Aid Office to see if you need to complete additional financial aid forms and check into other financial aid options. In order to be considered for financial aid, you will need to submit these forms even if you have not yet been notified of your acceptance to the college(s) to which you applied.

Go to the FAFSA now to complete the form. Or complete a paper FAFSA.

Request that your high school send your official transcripts to the colleges to which you are applying.

Make sure your parents have completed their income tax forms in anticipation of the financial aid applications. If they haven’t completed their taxes, providing estimated figures is acceptable.

Contact the admissions office of the college(s) to which you have applied to make sure that your information has been received and that they have everything they need from you.

February

If you completed the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within 2-3 weeks if you applied via paper. If you applied on-line, you can receive results via e-mail by the next business day after electronic submission. If corrections are needed, correct and return it to the FAFSA processor promptly.

Complete your scholarship applications.

Contact the financial aid office of the college(s) to which you have applied to make sure that your information has been received and that they have everything they need from you.

March/April

If you haven’t received an acceptance letter from the college (s) to which you applied, contact the admissions office.

Compare your acceptance letters, financial aid and scholarship offers.

When you choose a college that has accepted you, you may be required to pay a nonrefundable deposit for freshman tuition (this should ensure your place in the entering freshman class).

May

Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams for any AP subjects you studied in high school.

You should make a decision by May 1st as to which college you will be attending. Notify the school by mailing your commitment deposit check. Many schools require your notification letter be postmarked by this date.

If you were placed on a waiting list for a particular college and have decided to wait for an opening, contact that college and let them know you are still very interested.

June

Have your school send your final transcripts to the college which you will be attending.

Thank your counselors and teachers for their assistance along the way.

Contact your college to determine when fees for tuition, room and board are due and how much they will be.

Summer after Senior Year

Participate in any summer orientation programs for incoming freshmen.

Now that you know you will be attending college in the fall, it is a good idea to evaluate whether to get student health insurance.  How will you handle unforeseen emergencies?  Will your family’s insurance coverage be sufficient?