College Application Timeline

While the whole process of applying to college can seem complicated and overwhelming at times, it is actually quite logical. This section serves as a handy guide for identifying the key milestones in the process and for keeping you on track.

Junior Year

  • Maintain good study habits.
  • Participate in extracurricular activities.
  • Identify career interests.
  • Identify locations for community service activities.
  • Take Advanced Placement courses, prepare for AP exams.
  • Take the PSAT.
  • Prepare for the SAT (and take the SAT , usually in May or June ).
  • Begin the college application process (identify colleges, seek scholarship information, etc.).

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March of Junior Year

  • Select senior year courses. Remember to continue challenging yourself academically.
  • Consider or plan to visit colleges over spring break.
  • Register for May SAT I .

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April of Junior Year

  • Register for June SAT I.
  • Look for and attend college fairs.   
  • Begin thinking about summer plans.

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May of Junior Year

  • Take appropriate AP exams.
  • Take SAT I exams now or in June .

June of Junior Year

  • Another opportunity to take SAT I.

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July/August of Junior Year

  • Work – save money for college. 
  • Consider taking a summer course, such as SAT prep or essay writing.
  • Visit colleges that interest you.

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Senior Year

  • Maintain good study habits.
  • Participate in extracurricular activities.
  • Take Advanced Placement courses, prepare for AP exams.
  • Complete the college application process.
  • Seek financial aid.
  • Take SAT and other required tests.

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September of Senior Year

  • Check your course schedule with your guidance counselor. Make sure you are taking all required courses.
  • Review your transcript, available in the College Bureau (make sure it is correct as to courses, grades, and weighting of grades).
  • Develop college application plans with your counselor.
  • Identify 6–10 colleges that you would like to apply to; get applications.
  • Begin working on college applications; note deadlines.
  • Set up your college applications filing system; keep track of all correspondence with colleges.
  • Register for any additional SAT I  exam.
  • If some colleges you like require you to take the ACT exam, register for it.
  • Look for scheduled visits of college representatives. Schedule is posted in and near the Guidance Department office.
  • Attend all Guidance Department-sponsored programs about college admissions. Be aware of your Guidance Department’s college application procedures.
  • When a college rep comes that you want to talk to, sign up in the Counseling Center. Get a pass. Get permission from your teacher to leave class for the appointment, if necessary.
  • Plan campus visits and interviews, or take “virtual tours” and make appointments to have interviews locally.
  • Look for and attend college fairs.
  • Request letters of recommendation from your teachers. .
  • Submit requests for transcripts and counselor recommendations from your counselor at least three weeks before the application deadline.

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October of Senior Year

  • Take SAT I if needed.
  • Continue preparing and finalizing college list.
  • Continue meeting college reps, visiting colleges (if possible) and interviewing.
  • If applying Early Decision, prepare application, request all necessary documents.
  • Begin researching financial aid and scholarships.
  • Begin drafting college essays. Review the essay with your counselor, English teacher and parents. 
  • Apply for ROTC scholarships, if interested.
  • Register for Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB), if interested.

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November of Senior Year

  • Visit colleges.
  • Attend college rep visits.
  • November 1st and November 15th are the deadline dates for some colleges’ Early Decision.
  • November 1st is a priority deadline at state universities with Rolling Admissions.
  • Take SAT I. You are running out of chances to take the tests.
  • Finalize college list.
  • Take advantage of assistance within O’Hara, such as help writing your college essay.
  • Visit Guidance Department as needed.
  • Complete college applications and submit them to your counselor.
  • Keep copies of all forms and applications you complete.
  • Maintain grades and extracurricular activities.
  • ASVAB given.

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December of Senior Yea.

  • Regular Decision admission deadlines are December 15th or January 1st – check your college application materials.
  • Submit college applications with January deadlines by December.
  • Rolling Admission and Early Decision students, look in the mail. If accepted, see what deposits are required for tuition and housing. Plan to go to an orientation session at your college.
  • Pick up financial aid form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) in the Guidance Department, or get it online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.

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January of Senior Year

  • Check your course schedule. Meet with your guidance counselor to make any necessary changes.
  • Review first semester grades with counselor.
  • Regular Admissions deadline for most colleges is this month.
  • Submit your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Keep a copy for your records. Keep photocopies of all forms and applications you complete. File FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible (use estimated income figures.)
  • Begin requesting scholarship applications.

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February of Senior Year

  • Regular Admissions deadline for some Historically Black Colleges falls this month.
  • Start looking for summer work or internship opportunities.
  • Talk to your guidance counselor about any Advanced Placement exam registration and test dates.
  • Continue looking for scholarship money.
  • Receive Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Student Aid Program, and review for accuracy.
  • Respond to requests from colleges for any additional information needed.
  • Maintain high level of academic performance.

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March of Senior Year

  • Regular Admissions deadline for some large state universities falls April 1st. Complete and submit all applications during March.
  • Don't commit if you have not yet received all of your award letters from the colleges to which you have applied. Call the college admissions offices and ask for extensions.
  • Schedule overnight visits at top-choice colleges.
  • Sign up for AP exams.
  • Register for ASVAB, if interested.

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April of Senior Year

  • Begin receiving financial aid award letters from the colleges you have applied to, and make comparisons.
  • Investigate payment options with each college.
  • Accept all or part of the financial aid offered; sign and return acceptance letter.
  • Many schools will require commitments to attend by May 1st; deposits will be required.
  • Don't commit if you have not yet received all of your award letters from the colleges to which you have applied. Call the college admissions offices and ask for extensions.
  • Don’t let your grades slip; you want to graduate in good standing.
  • ASVAB given.

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May of Senior Year

  • Notify by May 1st the college you plan to attend and send final transcript. Send deposit to college.
  • Make loan arrangements. Report any private scholarship to the financial aid office of the college you will be attending.
  • Notify the colleges that you will not be attending. This is very important.
  • Send thank-you notes to teachers and counselors who advised and assisted you.
  • Take AP exams.
  • Continue to work hard at your studies.

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June of Senior Year

  • Request a final transcript.
  • Complete senior clearance.
  • Graduate.

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