Having good time management during the college application process is so important for the sake of your mental health. It is easy to let work pile up, but we urge you to space out everything you need to do so that you are not scrambling the night before your deadline. For guidance on when to complete certain aspects of the application process, we have created an admissions timeline you can follow to help stay on track. This timeline provides month-by-month deadlines (inspired by Sara Harberson) for you to stay on top of essays, testing, financial aid deadlines, and more. We also created Google Calendars based on the timeline to help juniors and seniors stay on track.
Junior Timeline Calendar: tinyurl.com/junior-timeline
Senior Timeline Calendar: tinyurl.com/senior-timeline
August 2020
August To-Do’s
Seniors
Research colleges and do virtual tours if possible.
Brainstorm personal statement topics to write about.
Begin to compile a college list.
Juniors
Start preparing for standardized tests. Decide whether you want to take the SAT, ACT, or both.
Senior Timeline
August 1: Common Application and College-specific supplements go live for 2020/2021.
August 3: Create a Common App account and start filling out the preliminary information. Add colleges to your “My Colleges” list on Common App. Review supplements for all colleges on your list to determine what additional work is required.
August 21: Reach out to people to ask for recommendations, and send them a brag sheet if they agree. To find out what to include on a brag sheet, read our first blog “What to Know Before You Start” or our Instagram post.
August 21: Finish the first draft of your personal statement if you are applying to rolling schools. Send a copy to others for feedback.
Standardized Testing Timeline (Juniors and Seniors)
August 14: Registration deadline for September 12, 13 & 19, 2020 ACTs.
August 18: Late Registration deadline for August 29, 2020 SAT and Subject Tests.
August 26: Registration Deadline for September 26, 2020 SAT.
August 28: Late Registration deadline for September 12, 13 & 19, 2020 ACTs.
August 29: SAT and Subject Tests.
September 2020
September To-Do’s
Seniors
Get ready for the last remaining standardized tests, finalize the college list, work on supplements, Early Decision, and Early Action applications.
Juniors
Start developing relationships with your teachers. College recommendation letters usually come from these teachers.
Continue preparing for standardized tests. If you believe you are eligible for the National Merit Scholar award, study for the October PSAT/NMSQT. Your score determines if you qualify for the award.
Senior Timeline
September 1 - September 14: Submit all rolling admissions applications. Many state and public colleges/universities have rolling admissions programs. The sooner you get the application submitted to these schools, the better!
September 7: Have a completed version of your personal statement if you are applying to rolling schools.
September 7: Set up a formal meeting with guidance counselors to review your college list.
September 11: Have all preliminary information on the Common App filled out. This includes the profile, family, education, testing, and activities.
September 14: Finish the first draft of your personal statement and send a copy to others for feedback.
September 30: For students submitting test scores this year for the colleges which require official score reports, send score reports now for Early Decision and Early Action programs. This will ensure the scores arrive in plenty of time before the deadline. We know many of you may be taking tests later this year, so as long as scores are sent around two weeks before November 1st, you will be okay.
September 30: See your guidance counselor review and sign off on your high school transcript. Make sure all grades and courses listed are accurate. If you are applying to test-optional colleges, request that all test scores are removed from the transcript.
September 30: Have a finalized list of Early Decision/Early Application schools you want to apply to. Make sure all the necessary documents (score reports, transcripts, etc.) have been sent into these Early schools.
Standardized Testing Timeline (Juniors and Seniors)
September 4: Registration deadline for October 3, 2020 SAT and Subject Tests.
September 12: ACT.
September 13: ACT (non-Saturday).
September 15: Late Registration deadline for September 26, 2020 SAT.
September 17: Registration deadline for October 10, 17, 24 & 25, 2020 ACTs.
September 19: ACT.
September 25: Late registration deadline for October 10, 17, 24 & 25, 2020 ACTs.
September 26: SAT Test (no Subject Tests this date)
October 2020
October To-Do’s
Seniors
Focus on the last round of standardized tests, finalize Early Action/Early Decision applications, and make sure all college visits and virtual tours are completed.
Juniors
Continue to prepare for standardized tests, study for the PSAT/NMSQT test.
Senior Timeline
October 1: FAFSA (financial aid form) available.
October 1: CSS Profile (financial aid form) available.
October 2: Finish final draft of your personal statement.
October 5: Finish first draft of your supplemental essays for Early Action/Early Decision schools. Send a copy to counselors or trusted teachers for feedback.
October 16: Finish the FAFSA and CSS Profile
October 26: Finish final drafts of your supplemental essays for Early Action/Early Decision schools.
Junior Timeline
October 14: PSAT/NMSQT primary test date.
October 17: PSAT/NMSQT Saturday test date.
October 28: PSAT/NMSQT Alternate test date.
Standardized Testing Timeline (Juniors and Seniors)
October 3: SAT and Subject Tests.
October 7: Registration deadline for November 7, 2020 SAT and Subject Tests.
October 10: ACT.
October 14: PSAT/NMSQT primary test date.
October 17: ACT.
October 24: ACT.
October 25: ACT (non-Saturday).
October 27: Late registration deadline for November 7, 2020 SAT.
November 2020
November To-Do’s
Seniors
This month is when most of the Early Action and Early Decision deadlines are. This is also often the last time to take the SATs or Subject Tests if applying Early Action or Early Decision.
Prep for interviews for early schools if they offer them. For interview tips, check out our post “What To Do After You Have Applied.”
Juniors
Continue to prepare for standardized tests. Consider signing up for testing dates.
Senior Timeline
November 1: Early Application and Early Decision deadlines.
November 2 (optional): Ask guidance counselors to send first quarter grades from senior year to any Early Decision and/or Early Action school if they are on par or stronger than previous semesters. These grades are typically not required for Early Decision and Early Action programs, but if they are very strong, it can make a positive impact on a student’s application.
November 15: Early Application and Early Decision deadlines.
November 30: Applications for University of California schools due.
November 30: Have a finalized list of regular decision schools.
Standardized Testing Timeline (Juniors and Seniors)
November 5: Registration deadline for December 5, 2020 SAT and Subject Tests.
November 6: Registration deadline for December 12, 2020 ACT.
November 7: SAT and Subject Tests.
November 20: Late registration deadline for December 12, 2020 ACT.
November 24: Late registration deadline for December 5, 2020 SAT and Subject Tests.
December 2020
December To-Do’s
Seniors
Finalize and submit all remaining Regular Decision and/or Early Decision II applications; finish all standardized tests.
Juniors
Continue to prepare for standardized tests. Consider signing up for testing dates.
Senior Timeline
December 1: For students submitting test scores this year for the colleges which require official score reports, send score reports now for Regular Decision and Early Decision II. This will ensure the scores arrive in plenty of time before the deadline.
December 1: Have guidance counselors send in your high school transcript to Regular Decision and Early Decision II schools. If you are applying to test-optional colleges, request that all test scores are removed from the transcript.
December 4: Finish first drafts of your supplemental essays Regular Decision/Early Decision II schools. Send a copy to counselors or trusted teachers for feedback.
December 7 - December 25: Most Early Action and Early Decision programs will notify you with a decision around this time. If admitted to an Early Decision program, immediately withdraw all other applications.
December 28: Finish final drafts of your supplemental essays for Regular Decision/Early Decision II schools.
Standardized Testing Timeline (Juniors and Seniors)
December 5: SAT and Subject Tests.
December 12: ACT.
January 2021
January To-Do’s
Seniors
Prep for interviews for Regular Decision if they offer them. For interview tips, check out our post “What To Do After You Have Applied.”
Follow-up with every college to ensure all of your materials have been received. If deferred from your top choice, follow-up per college’s instructions (portal, email, or letter) letting them know you are still interested.
Juniors
Register for at least one ACT or SAT during the school year.
Senior Timeline
January 1 - January 15: Finalize and submit Regular Decision and Early Decision II applications.
January 11: Send in email or update if you were deferred from your first-choice college. Let them know that it remains your first choice and explain the reasons why.
January 15: Send anyone who wrote you a recommendation or reviewed your essays a thank you note to show your appreciation!
Standardized Testing Timeline (Juniors)
January 8: Registration deadline for February 6, 2021 ACT.
January 15: Late registration deadline for February 6, 2021 ACT.
February 2021
February To-Do’s
Seniors
Check email regularly for communication from the colleges you applied to. Open each email and respond accordingly.
Juniors
Get ready for the ACT or SAT, start thinking about senior year courses and summer plans, and let your guidance counselor know if you plan to take AP exams.
Senior Timeline
February 1: Follow up with guidance counselors to ensure first semester grades are sent to all colleges.
February 15 - February 28: Most Early Decision II programs will notify you with a decision. If admitted to an Early Decision II program, immediately withdraw all other applications.
Standardized Testing Timeline (Juniors)
February 6: ACT.
February 12: Registration deadline for March 13, 2021 SAT.
March 2021
March To-Do’s
Seniors
Make sure you have all password information on the colleges’ admissions portals to receive decisions.
Juniors
This is a popular month to both take the SAT and visit colleges over Spring Break.
Sign up for mailing lists at colleges and start visiting colleges over Spring Break (if that is a viable option by this point).
Senior Timeline
March 1 - March 31: Admissions decisions for all Regular Decision and Early Decision II programs released.
Standardized Testing Timeline (Juniors)
March 12: Registration for April 17, 2021 ACT.
March 13: SAT (no Subject Tests this date).
March 26: Late registration deadline for April 17, 2021 ACT.
April 2021
April To-Do’s
Seniors
Seniors register and attend accepted student programs.
Seniors register and attend any receptions for accepted students in your local area.
Juniors
Course selection for next year, test prep, standardized tests, first round of college visits, summer planning.
Juniors sign up for mailing lists at colleges.
Junior college visits during Spring Break.
Senior Timeline
April 2: Seniors looking for more financial aid should request re-evaluation forms and send them in as soon as possible.
April 12: Seniors hoping to get off a waitlist at certain institutions should communicate their interest in multiple ways.
April 30: Finalize enrollment and financial aid.
Standardized Testing Timeline (Juniors)
April 8: Registration deadline for May 8, 2021 SAT and Subject Tests.
April 17: ACT.
April 27: Late Registration deadline for May 8, 2021 SAT and Subject Tests.
May 2021
May To-Do’s
Seniors
Take AP exams, send in enrollment deposits, notify other colleges that you plan to enroll elsewhere.
Juniors
Take AP exams, test prep, standardized tests, consider running for leadership positions for next year, finalize summer plans.
Senior Timeline
May 1: National response deadline and enrollment deposits due.
May 3: Inform anyone who wrote you a recommendation or reviewed your essays about which college you plan to attend.
May 3 - May 14: AP exams. Opt into the free option of sending your AP scores to the college you committed to.
Junior Timeline
May 3 - May 14: AP exams.
May 17: Send emails to two academic teachers from 10th/11th grade to request a meeting (in person, if possible) to ask them to write letters of recommendation.
Standardized Testing Timeline (Juniors)
May 6: Registration deadline for June 5, 2021 SAT.
May 7: Registration deadline for June 12, 2021 ACT.
May 8: SAT and Subject Tests.
May 21: Late registration deadline for June 12, 2021 ACT
May 26: Late Registration deadline for June 5, 2021 SAT and Subject Tests.
June 2021
June To-Do’s
Seniors
Finish up high school strong! Make sure to maintain your grades.
Juniors
Start writing topics down for possible college essays.
Sign up for Summer SAT or ACT test-prep class and/or secure private tutor.
Take final exams and Subject Tests for students applying to highly selective colleges
Standardized Testing Timeline (Juniors)
June 5: SAT and Subject Tests.
June 12: ACT.
June 18: Registration deadline for July 17, 2021 ACT.
June 25: Late registration deadline for July 17, 2021 ACT.
You have a long road ahead, but spacing out your work and managing your time is the best way to make this process easier on yourself. Don’t let the application process intimidate you—instead, take baby steps to familiarize yourself with it so that you can make progress. If you have any comments, questions, or concerns about this article or anything in general, don’t hesitate to email applicationoverloadblog@gmail.com.
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