AUGUST & SEPTEMBER

• Confirm your final college list, application deadlines, and requirements.

• Write your college-specific supplemental essays.

• Send us your college essay for any revisions!

• Continue to research scholarships with the help of our scholarship page.

• Set up on-campus or local rep interviews with colleges.

• Check in with your letter of recommendation writers. Update your Letter of Rec Questionnaire and ask for a letter of recommendation from your school counselor.  Apply to scholarships throughout the school year.

• Parents: Start preparing financial aid paperwork and develop a deadlines list. 

SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER

• Complete and send out all EA and ED applications no later than late October. (These deadlines are typically around November 1. )

• Many portfolio-based arts programs have December 1st deadlines. And some universities require submission by December 1st to be considered for scholarship opportunities. Schedule a meeting with your school counselor to review your college list to get his or her feedback and review your application deadlines, and ask any questions you may have.

• Attend high school presentations and programs.

• Apply for financial aid using the FAFSA and CSS/PROFILE (if required).

• Completed final college visits.

• Send test scores to your colleges after checking whether they allow self-reported scores.

• Ask your school counseling office to deliver letters and transcripts to colleges. 

DECEMBER

• Regular Decision (RD) deadlines are typically around January 1. Complete and send out all RD applications no later than mid-December. Give yourself a relaxing holiday break by completing your applications before November 15.

JANUARY - MARCH

• January: If deferred, send an email to your region/state/country admissions representative. Reaffirm your interest in the school and offer any updates (activities, achievements, awards, etc).

• Wait for application decisions.

MARCH - APRIL

• Colleges have until April 1 to release decisions.

• Plan visits to accepted colleges, if needed, in order to make your final college choice.

• Attend local admitted student events when possible.

• Evaluate financial aid packages and scholarship offerings to figure out how to pay for college.

• Students need to enroll and submit a deposit by May 1.

MAY

• Take AP/IB exams.

• Notify your school counselor of your college decisions and scholarship opportunities.

• If you've been waitlisted, this is a good time to send a)your “I'd like to stay on the wait list" form and b) the email to your designated admissions rep which states your interest in the school and offers updates (activities, achievements, awards, etc).

• Sign-up for campus housing if you plan to live on campus.

JUNE - AUGUST

• Continue saving for college.

• Check your email for waitlist notifications.

• Attend orientation sessions.

• Sign up for meal plans and register for classes.

• Find out what you need for your dorm and classes, and go shopping.

• Contact your future roommate(s).

• Make travel and move-in arrangements.

• Set up a bank account on or near ­campus.

• Continue applying for scholarships.

• Set up a meeting with an academic advisor at your college to plan your classes.

To learn more about how to have an amazing pre-college summer, click here!