When should I be aware of college admissions deadlines?

I'm kind of freaking out over all these dates and deadlines, and I want to make sure I'm on top of everything. Anyone got any advice or resources for tracking college admissions dates? Like, is there some kind of universal calendar for all colleges or do I need to look up each one individually?

You've got this! College application deadlines can be overwhelming, and it's understandable that you want to stay organized. There isn't a universal calendar for all colleges, unfortunately. Each college sets its own deadlines, and these can vary dramatically between institutions. However, there are some typical timelines you can use to guide your application process.

1. Early Decision and Early Action Deadlines: These typically land around November 1 or November 15.

2. Regular Decision Deadlines: These often occur between January 1 and February 1, depending on the college.

3. Financial Aid Deadlines: These deadlines can also vary, but they often coincide with the application deadline. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens on October 1, and you should aim to complete it as soon as possible.

Here are some strategies to keep track of everything:

- Research: Look up the specific deadlines for all the colleges you're interested in. You can find this information on the college's admissions website.

- Build your own calendar: Use a system that works for you, whether that's a physical planner, a digital calendar, or an app. Include every important deadline.

- Categorize: Consider using different categories or color codes for different types of deadlines (application, financial aid, scholarship, housing, honors program, etc.).

- Set reminders: A few days before each deadline, set a reminder to make sure you're not forgetting anything.

Staying organized will definitely make this process easier, and you'll feel more in control. Remember, it's all about taking it one step at a time. You got this!