We all know that the college admissions process is complicated and deadline driven. With enough moving parts to make your head spin, students and parents are often stressed and anxious about completing each step on time. When do I take the SAT’s? When do I apply for financial aid, and what about making campus visits?

Follow our timeline and you will know exactly when and where you need to be in the process. Remember this is not a sprint, but more like a four-year marathon. Do yourself a favor and don’t wait until fall of senior year to start planning. Follow our advice and I promise that you will keep your sanity and submit a thoughtful application on time. We want you to be successful. Plan ahead, follow this map, and you will be.

Grade 9

• Take the toughest classes you can
• Meet your school counselor
• Apply for testing accommodations if you need them
• Explore and choose extra curricular activities
• Engage with your community outside of school
• Read outside of class

Summer

• Volunteer, Work
• Read, Travel
• Visit colleges

Grade 10

• Take the toughest classes you can
• Begin preparing for the PSAT, ACT, SAT
• Find a tutor if you need one
• Meet with your school counselor
• Focus and commit to your extracurriculars
• Start your resume
• Research colleges

Summer

• Read, Travel
• Volunteer, Work
• Visit colleges
• Prepare for the SAT, ACT, PSAT, SAT Subject, and AP tests

Grade 11

• Take the toughest classes you can
• Study for all standardized Tests
• Take the PSAT
• Register and take standardized Tests
• Get to know your teachers
• Meet with your school counselor
• Work on preliminary college list
• Take a deep dive with your extracurriculars:focus on leadership and impact
• Research schools
• Identify teachers/others who will write your letters of recommendation
• Have an honest talk with your parents about financial aid
• Apply for outside scholarships
• Retake SAT/ACT and study/ take AP tests
• Visit campuses

Summer

• Read
• Volunteer
• Do meaningful community service
• Work a job or internship that aligns with your major or career interests
• Build your leadership experience and skills
• Begin to finalize your college list
• Log in to your college applications
• Begin brainstorming and writing essays
• Visit colleges

Grade 12

Fall

• Take the toughest classes you can
• Meet with you counselor
• Finalize your resume
• Finish all standardized testing
• Send all test scores as required
• Attend college fairs
• Attend college visits at your high school
• Finalize your college list
• Log in to all applications
• Meet all high school deadlines for sending transcripts and recommendations
• Know your deadlines
• Finish all essays
• Decide about Early Decision and/or Early Action
• Talk to each of your recommender s
• File your FAFSA as early as October 1^st
• File CSS profile for schools that require
• Finish all applications and submit
• Schedule interviews as required
• Apply for scholarships
• Get the best grades you have ever gotten

Winter/Spring

• Send updates to schools that deferred you
• Fight senioritis
• Send mid-year reports to schools that require them
• Make final campus visits
• Follow all directions carefully for each acceptance or waitlist you receive
• Make your decision
• Compare financial aid rewards
• Send in your deposit once you decide to accept a school’s offer
• Send update to schools that waitlist you where you are still interested in attending
• Graduate
• Pat yourself on the back
• Thank your parents, teachers, counselor, and everyone who helped you get here