College Application & Materials Timeline

A step by step monthly guide to keep you organized and on schedule

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March

  • Have your list of colleges completed and know which ones you will be applying to,you should have at least 10 schools on your list
  • Determine which tests you will take, ACT or SAT and decide when you will take them
  • Study for tests
  • Consider Enrolling in summer camp

SAT/ACT test Dates

  • SAT/Test Date                             Registration                             SAT Scores Released
    March 9, 2019
    May 4, 2019 March 20, 2019 April 5, 2019
  • ACT/Test Date                            Registration                             ACT Scores Released
    April 13, 2019 March 8, 2019 April 23 – June 7, 2019
    June 8, 2019 May 3, 2019 June 18 – August 2, 2019

AprilScreen Shot 2019-03-03 at 11.36.03 AM

  • Juniors – you should have asked your teacher/other for letters of recommendations. If not, make sure you ask for them before the end of the school year.
  • Send decline letters to schools you will not be attending
  • Send acceptance letter and admissions and housing deposit no later than May 1st
  • Study for advance placement test
  • Attend National College Fair Wednesday April 24th 2019 https://www.nacacfairs.org/attend/national-college-fairs/metro-detroit-college-fair/

 

MayScreen Shot 2019-03-03 at 11.13.43 AM

  • Request your final transcripts be sent to the college you selected
  • register for orientation

 

 

June/Julyjunejuly

  • Begin a list of scholarship opportunities
  • Polish your resume adding any junior year accomplishments
  • Ask for any additional letters of recommendation
  • Consider hiring a tutor during the summer months, especially if you are struggling in any areas. Plus, you can be working on studying for your ACT/SAT that is coming up
  • Internships
  • Getting a summer job is a great way to help with college costs
  • Focus on extracurricular activities such as volunteering
  • *Work on college essays* at least your first draft should be completed by the end of the summer
  • Take time for summer fun!

Augustaugust

  • Begin outline/final draft for college essays. In a perfect world, August 1st is a good goal to set to have your essays completed but we know how life goes so you should at least have a draft ready for editing.
  • Campus visits
  • Finalize resume
  • Register for fall SAT/ACT tests and consider signing up for an ACT/SAT test prep course. Kite Tutoring http://www.kitetutoring.com/ is one of my local favorites.
  • Start a scholarship calendar for private scholarships
  • Music and Art students need to register for any scholarship competitions
  • Review all your college websites for scholarships and requirements

SeptemberScreen Shot 2019-03-03 at 11.10.31 AM

  • Participate in ant admissions teleconferences that will be helpful
  • Finalize your college list that you will applying to
  • Start a large 3 ring binder to file all correspondence
  • Verify your transcripts are accurate
  • Write a letter to guidance counselor – Parents
  • Ask for letters of recommendation required for college or scholarship applications
  • Have your essays reviewed, we can help!
  • Complete final draft of essays
  • Accept any invitations to scholarship competitions

OctoberScreen Shot 2019-03-03 at 11.10.51 AM.png

  • All applications MUST be completed by October 15th
  • Make sure your application, essay, resume, letters of recommendation and other required information is included in application
  • PLEASE watch and read ALL your college emails. 9 times out of 10 there is at least one student who missed out on scholarship money because they missed a deadline – no one was reading the mail.
  • Submit FAFSA October 1

NovemberScreen Shot 2019-03-03 at 11.11.30 AM

  • Follow up with your admissions representative at EVERY college you applied to. Confirm they are not waiting on anything to review your application
  • Do some career exploration and research in areas that interest you
  • Early Decision
  • Early Action Nov 1-15

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  • Regular Decision
  • Register December 1-Jan

JanuaryScreen Shot 2019-03-03 at 11.11.56 AM

  • Update your admission representative with some new positive information about you
  • Do not get senioritis – these grades count for scholarship and admissions
  • Schedule interviews with the department heads – request consideration for scholarship money
  • Send thank you notes

FebruaryScreen Shot 2019-03-03 at 11.12.13 AM.png

  • Guess what…this is a FREE month but continue to work hard in your high school classes. Tie up any loose ends and if you need to catch up on anything, now is the time to do it.
  • For freshmen, sophomores and juniors in the family, mid-winter break is a great time to explore and visit a variety of college campuses

 

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