So you made it to the fall of your senior year of high school. Congrats! You're so close! But it's crunch time, y'all. (No pressure, right?!) Don't worry—you've got this. You have a lot to do and deadlines for everything involved. Here's a handy timeline for seniors so you know exactly what to do and when to do it.
September
- Finalize the list of colleges you plan to apply to and review them with your high school counselor.
- Collect application materials and keep careful track of all due dates.
- Decide if you need to take or retake the SAT or ACT, and register!
- Gather your family financial records in preparation for filing the FAFSA.
October
- Submit your FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible.
- Start outlining application essay ideas.
- Ask teachers, coaches, or others to write recommendations. Give them at least a month to write.
- Visit any colleges you haven’t seen already.
November
- A lot of Early Action and Early Decision deadlines fall in November, so be sure to stay on top of those deadlines if you want to be considered in the early applicant pool.
December
- Complete all applications neatly and send them on time. Don’t forget to include the application fee!
January
- Submit any remaining applications with Regular Decision deadlines.
- Look for scholarships. Use our Scholarship Search tool and check out the Financial Aid section of this site for more information on scholarships, loans, and financial aid.
February
- Some colleges require mid-year grades. Be sure your high school sends them.
March
- Start studying for any AP exams you plan to take in May.
April
- Look for admission notices in the mail or email.
- Carefully review financial aid award packages.
- Decide which college you will attend; notify all others of your decision.
May
- Make sure your high school sends your final grades, class rank, and proof of graduation to your college.
- Send required deposit to the school of your choice.
- Finalize all elements of your financial aid package. You may need to get loan applications directly from a lender.
- Enjoy the rest of your senior year and get ready for a busy summer before college!
That's it! Before you know it, you'll be off to college and starting an exciting new chapter in your life. Good luck!
PS: If you haven't found the right college(s) for you yet, you should check out The CollegeXpress Ultimate Guide to the College Search or go straight to our College Search tool!
