As a high school junior, I'm trying to wrap my head around the college application timeline. What are the important deadlines I should be aware of, like for common apps, early decision, and regular decision?
Given the fact that you're a junior, I highly recommend starting the process soon, as the important deadlines are dispersed throughout your senior year. Here is a general timeline of crucial dates related to the college application process:
- August before Senior Year: The Common Application opens on August 1, giving you the chance to start confirming which schools you'll apply to and begin working on your essays. Other application systems, like the Coalition for College and the University of California System also open around this time.
- October of Senior Year: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available on October 1. This is crucial for applying for federal student aid in the form of grants, loans, and work-study.
- November of Senior Year: Early Decision (binding agreement) and Early Action (not binding) deadlines usually fall in early November, with some schools offering second rounds of Early Decision in early January.
- December of Senior Year: If you applied to colleges via Early Decision or Early Action, you can typically expect to receive your admissions decisions in December.
- January of Senior Year: Regular Decision deadlines are commonly in early January, although some colleges have deadlines later in the month or even in February.
- March/April of Senior Year: If you applied via Regular Decision, admissions decisions usually start coming out in March and continue throughout April.
- May 1st of Senior Year: National College Decision Day! This is when you'll need to have made a final decision and commit to the college you plan to attend.
However, remember that all colleges and universities may not follow the same calendar. It's essential to check the specific deadlines for each school you're interested in. This timeline is also dependent on you completing things like college visits, creating your list of schools, and asking for letters of recommendation in your junior year or over the summer before your senior year. Knowing these dates can help you plan, manage your time efficiently, and ultimately keep the stress levels to a minimum during your senior year. Good luck!
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