Your Complete College Application Timeline (Junior Year to Decision Day)

The college admissions process is a marathon, not a sprint. Starting early and knowing what to do when gives you a massive advantage. This guide breaks down exactly what you should be doing from the spring of junior year through decision day.

Junior Year: Spring

• Take the SAT or ACT for the first time
• Start building your college list with reach, target, and safety categories
• Request teacher recommendations early so teachers have time over the summer
• Research summer programs, internships, or volunteering that strengthen your profile

Summer Before Senior Year

• Draft your personal statement
• Narrow your college list to 8–12 schools
• Visit campuses if possible
• Begin supplemental essays for schools that release prompts early

Senior Year: August–September

• Finalize your college list
• Create a master tracker with every deadline
• Register for any remaining standardized tests
• Send preliminary transcript requests to your counselor

Senior Year: October–November

• Submit Early Action and Early Decision applications
• Complete FAFSA and CSS Profile as soon as they open
• Send test scores and recommendation requests
• Keep working on Regular Decision applications

Senior Year: December–January

• Submit all Regular Decision applications
• Follow up on missing materials
• Prepare for interviews if offered

Senior Year: February–April

• Receive admissions decisions
• Compare financial aid packages
• Attend admitted student events

May: Decision Day

• Submit your enrollment deposit by May 1
• Notify other schools of your decision
• Celebrate

Get the timeline template

Download our free All-in-One College Planning Toolkit Google Sheet. It includes a month-by-month checklist with deadlines and reminders you can customize for your own schedule.