SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR (BEFORE SCHOOL STARTS) TIMELINE FOR COMPLETING COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

Ideally, this is the time when your application organization should begin in earnest.

• Develop a file for each college to which you plan to apply.

• Narrow down your college list to 10-15 of those you like best.

• Finalize your activities resume.

• With your resume in hand, identify activities, talents or interests about which you can write essays.

• Make plans to visit colleges during the summer and/or fall.

• Sign up for any SAT I, Subject Test or ACT tests that you need to take in the fall.

• Decide if you are going to apply through an Early admissions plan to a college/s.

• Determine which colleges accept the Common Application (or UCA) and those that have their own application.

• Complete at least one application, including the essays, before the beginning of school. This is particularly important for students who play fall sports or are engaged in very time-intensive fall activities.

SENIOR YEAR TIMELINE FOR COMPLETING COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

September

• Get a calendar. Taking into consideration scheduled academic, sports, and activities, block out time each week through December to work on applications, noting which applications you want to complete by when.

• Begin working on any Early Application and/or “Most Important” applications.

• Download the applications for your final college list.

• Identify the due dates of all the applications you plan to complete (noting when Preliminary App, Early App, and Regular App deadlines are) Click here for a full color, printable PDF of the Application Due Dates Master List.

• Identify the essay questions for all of your applications. Decide on a focus for your applications and what topics you will use to write the essays. Click here for a full color, printable PDF of Master Essay Grid.

• Brainstorm ideas for essays; write first draft; have someone edit the essays; finish final drafts.

• Prepare Recommendation packages for your counselor, teachers and others. Go to www.admissionpossible.com/letters.html for what to include.

• Meet with your high school counselor, teachers and other recommenders and give them Letter of Recommendation package.

• Find out which college reps are coming to your high school and/or town and make arrangements to meet them.

• Give some extra attention to your high school counselor (who will complete the college Secondary School Reports for you next fall) and special teachers who might be writing recommendations.