September
Check in with your guidance counselor to review your final list of schools and ensure your transcripts are accurate.
Plan and attend your final college visits
September 6 is your registration deadline for the October 5th SAT test
September 20th is your registration deadline for the October 26th ACT test
Send your score reports to all the schools you have applied to or plan to apply to. Score reports can be sent before your application. Ensure you do not send scores to test optional schools on your list.
October
October 1 the CSS Profile and FAFSA (financial aid) form is available at https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
Focus on starting your college applications. Not all colleges use the same application so be sure to check which your colleges need.
Don’t forget to send thank you notes to teachers and Guidance Counselors who wrote a letter of recommendation for you. A small not of thanks can mean a lot.
November
November 1 deadline for Early Action and Early decision applications.
November 2 SAT test (one last chance to get the best possible score).
December
Finalize and submit any and all remaining applications.
January
Apply for scholarships local, regional and national. You can’t win a scholarship unless you apply!
Follow-up with every college you have applied to and confirm your application, transcripts and scores have been received. Don’t give up if you have been deferred from an early decision/action school. Send a letter or email letting them know you are still interested.
February
Check your mail daily and respond promptly to any requests for information from schools you have applied to.
March
Admission decisions are released throughout the month.
College acceptance letters will typically come with their financial aid award. Now is the time to compare award letters and calculate your estimated loan debt.
April
Still looking for additional financial aid? Request a re-evaluation form and send them in ASAP.
If you are still on a wait list, you can still communicate your interest.
Plan one more visit to your school of choice before sending in your deposit.
May
May 1 National responses deadline and enrollment deposits due. If you are planning to live on campus, a housing deposit may also be due.
AP Exams
Send in your enrollment deposit
Notify all other colleges that have made you an offer that you respectfully decline their offer and will be attending another college.
