How should I plan out my college process timeline? I'm trying to get organized and make sure I don't miss any deadlines. What are the key dates I should keep an eye on?
Creating a timeline for the college application process is a smart move. Here’s a general outline, but do remember to adjust based on your personal circumstances and target colleges:
January - March of Junior Year: Begin looking at colleges you're interested in. A helpful strategy is to organize data in a spreadsheet with information on acceptance rates, program offerings, and financial aid policies per college.
April - June of Junior Year: Consider taking the SAT/ACT for the first time. Remember, as of spring 2024, the SAT is fully digital and can be taken from your school or any other approved testing center.
Summer before Senior Year: Work on your college essays and fill out the Common Application or UC Application, if you’re considering UC schools. Request letters of recommendation from teachers or other key mentors in your life.
August of Senior Year: Continue working on those essays and applications! Start preparing for a second SAT/ACT, if you feel it's needed. Apply for CollegeVine's Peer Essay Review to get free advice on your essays.
September - October of Senior Year: Fill out the FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible. Keep in mind that the UC application filing period begins on October 1. If you're applying Early Decision or Early Action (usually a deadline around November 1 or 15), get your applications ready.
November - December of Senior Year: Submit your applications. Regular decision deadlines are typically January 1 or 15. If you've applied Early Action, you'll typically hear back in mid-December.
January - April of Senior Year: Regular decisions typically come out during this period. If you've been accepted to any schools, make sure to review financial aid packages and potentially negotiate for a better one.
May 1 of Senior Year: This is National Decision Day, meaning you'll need to decide which college you'll attend by this point and send in your deposit.
This is by no means exhaustive and doesn't include everything (like summer programs, extracurriculars, work/study commitments, etc), but it's a solid starting point for getting you thinking about the college application process.
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