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 (transcripts sent directly from your high school) sent at the time of application.
- Register for October/November SAT I, SAT II, and ACT 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 begin your applications. Take some time to think about and outline any essays required.
- 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.
- 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.
- Take SAT and/or ACT tests. 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 I and/or SAT II tests, 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 applications.
December:
- Early decision replies usually arrive between December 1 and December 31.
- 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.
January:
- Complete and submit your college financial aid application and the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) by the college's deadline, and check for other financial aid options. (In other words, get money.) 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 FAFSA on the Web form now.
- 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.
- Contact the admissions office(s) 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 four weeks. Make the necessary corrections and return it to the FAFSA processor as soon as possible in order to have your forms processed quickly.
- 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:
- You will hear from the colleges as to whether or not you are accepted. Check with the college for a precise date.
- Compare your acceptance letters, financial aid, and scholarship offers.
- When you choose to accept a college's invitation to attend the institution, you might be required to pay a nonrefundable deposit for freshman tuition (this should ensure your place in the entering freshman class).
May:
- Take exams for any Advanced Placement and other honors-level subjects you studied in high school.
- Many schools will require a decision by May 1. Check with the college to find out their decision deadline and notify the school by mailing your commitment deposit check. Many schools require that 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 interested.
June:
- Have your school send your final transcripts to the college that you will be attending.
- Contact your college to determine when fees for tuition, room and board are due and how much they will be.
- Participate in summer orientation programs for incoming freshmen at your college.
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Planner Timeline
