Rising seniors should map out deadlines early to help them stay on track with their college applications.
Students should prep for college throughout high school, but for rising seniors time is limited. Applying to college can be stressful, but proper planning can help alleviate some of the pressure on students and their families.
Students can use the following timeline to map out their college application process. For a general timeline on when to apply for financial aid, students should refer to our college savings plan for 2014.
12:00 AM
June 1, 2014 — 12:00 AM
June 30, 2014
Ask for Recommendation Letters
Students who want recommendation letters from their junior year teachers should reach out to them before the school year ends.
“It’s really ideal if you ask before the start of the summer because if you have a teacher who is on top of things he or she might actually write the letter over the summer, so you’ll have it when you come back to school in September,” says Elizabeth Heaton, senior director of educational consulting at College Coach.
12:00 AM
July 1, 2014 — 12:00 AM
August 31, 2014
Start Test Prep
“As you’re putting your list of colleges together, you want to make sure you’re making note of the different testing requirements at each school,” Heaton says. Most schools accept either the ACT or SAT, but some institutions require additional testing or make standardized testing optional.
12:00 AM
August 1, 2014 — 12:00 AM
August 31, 2014
Write Your College Essay
Application essays are one of the most daunting parts of the college application process, but students can get that part done during the summer. The Common Application has announced that essay prompts will remain the same for the 2014-2015 school year. The application will be available to students on Aug. 1. For schools that don’t use the Common App, Heaton says students can reach out to those institutions directly to ask about the prompts.
12:00 AM
August 1, 2014 — 12:00 AM
October 30, 2014
Go On A College Tour
Summer can be a great opportunity for students to see schools on their application list. Many schools have programs and students on campus during the summer, so prospective students can still get a feel for campus culture and life.
12:00 AM
September 1, 2014 — 12:00 AM
October 30, 2014
Take the SAT or ACT
Fall is the best time to retake the SAT or ACT because it allows students to get their scores ahead of early decision application deadlines.
12:00 AM
September 1, 2014 — 12:00 AM
December 31, 2014
Search for Scholarships
It’s never too early to start searching for scholarships. Many national scholarships have fall deadlines, so if you haven’t started your search already, now is a good time to start.
12:00 AM
September 1, 2014 — 12:00 AM
September 30, 2014
Create an Application Timeline
Heaton encourages students to map out their deadlines for the rest of the year. With school in session, managing time becomes more important, she says.
12:00 AM
January 1, 2015 — 12:00 AM
March 3, 2015
Apply for Summer Jobs
A summer job is a great way to build your resume and assist with some of your college expenses. Many summer jobs and internships start accepting applications for summer jobs in the beginning of a new year. Start searching now to hopefully have something secured by graduation.
12:00 AM
April 1, 2015 — 12:00 AM
May 1, 2015
Make Your College Decision
By now you’ve likely researched your top choices, gone on tours and analyzed your financial aid packages. The national response deadline for accepting a college is May 1.
12:00 AM
May 1, 2015 — 12:00 AM
May 31, 2015
Apply for Late Admissions to Schools if Necessary
Students who haven’t secured a spot at an institution still have hope. Some schools still have places open after the May 1 national response date, but space is limited.
12:00 AM
June 1, 2015 — 12:00 AM
August 31, 2015
Prepare for Freshman Year
From selecting dorms to negotiating financial aid, there’s a lot more to do after you’ve been admitted. Stay up-to-date on all of your paperwork, enjoy the summer and prepare for the new school year.
Briana Boyington is an education Web producer at U.S. News. You can follow her on Twitter or email her at bboyington@usnews.com.