College Application Timeline

Written By First Gen Empower

Use this timeline as a general guideline for organizing your college application process.

Summer before high school ▾

Key tasks:

  • Start your college search
  • Make a chart with schools you want to apply to, deadlines, and requirements
  • Start your personal statement drafts

Learn more:

  • Start looking into schools you’re interested in. Make a list of the schools you want to apply to, as well as requirements and deadlines. Make sure your school list includes safety, target and reach schools.
  • Create a separate email for your college applications. Emails from colleges pile up quickly and you don't want to miss an important email from a college because it got buried under other emails. Create a free email account and use it to apply to all of your colleges.

August - September ▾

Key tasks:

  • Check in with your guidance counselor to make sure you're on track to graduate.
  • Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers/counselors.

Learn more:

  • Talk to your guidance counselor. Make sure that you are on track to graduate. Also it may be helpful to ask questions about the application process and what’s the best path for you.
  • Recommendation letters: If the colleges you're applying to require letters of recommendation, start asking for them. Ask teachers that knows you really well and will for sure put in a good word for you. Don’t wait until the last minute because they may not be able to accommodate you! Give them AT LEAST one month.

  • Grades and extracurriculars: Although it’s your senior year, your grades still matter! Stay involved and on top of your work.

  • Keep working on your personal statements.

  • Take the SAT/ACT if you have decided to take the SAT.

October ▾

Key tasks:

  • CSU and UC applications officially open.
  • Financial aid applications (FAFSA and the California Dream Act) officially open.
  • Keep working on your college applications.
  • Finish personal statement drafts and show them to at least 3 people.

Learn more:

  • CSU and UC Applications officially open!

  • Finalize your college choices: Finalize which colleges you will be applying for. Look at your grades and your SAT/ACT scores and break down your list into three categories. Safety, Match, Reach.

    • Safety school: Schools that you are almost certain you will get into (your ACT/SAT scores and your GPA are higher than the school’s median)
    • Match school: Schools that are likely to admit because your ACT/SAT scores and your GPA are at the school’s median.
    • Reach school: Schools where your chance of acceptance might be low because your GPA and/or SAT/ACT scores are below what the medians are.

  • Check out these guides for a general overview of the UC, CSU, and private college applications:

  • Work on your applications everyday. Applications are very stressful and can be overwhelming. Make a list of all of your tasks and work on a small part of it everyday.

  • Finish your personal statement drafts and show them to at least 3 people:

    • Someone who knows you very well (a friend or family member)
    • Someone who doesn't know you as well and can point out if anything is missing from your essays (a counselor or advisor)
    • Someone who can provide feedback on grammar and structure (an English teacher).

  • Request your transcript early. Most universities don’t need your transcript right away. However some private colleges may ask you for them, so be prepared and request them in advance from your guidance or college counselor.

November ▾

Key tasks:

  • Turn in CSU and UC applications by November 30th.
  • Apply for financial aid.

Learn more:

  • November 30 is the last day to submit your UC and CSU applications!

  • If you still have not done so sign up to take the SAT/ ACT.

College Applications

  • Finalize your personal statements and complete the UC and CSU applications.

  • UC applications require you to describe your extracurricular activities.

    • Here is a guide on how to explain your extracurricular activities effectively.

  • CSU applications include an additional application to the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP), which provides support and services to first-generation, low-income and underrepresented students. If you are eligible, we recommend that you fill out the application. You will need:

    • Short essays

    • 2 recommendation letters (letters don't have to be submitted by Nov 30. The deadline for your recommenders to submit letter is January).

    • Learn more about EOP here

Financial Aid and Scholarships

  • If you are applying to private colleges, you might need to submit your financial aid applications early, as some private colleges award financial aid on a first come first serve basis.

  • Submit your FAFSA OR the California Dream Act (for undocumented students). This is required by ALL UCs, CSUs, community colleges, and private colleges.

  • Private colleges might also ask you to submit the CSS financial aid profile (this is separate from the FAFSA and CA Dream Act).

  • Scholarships: Start looking into some scholarships that you’re interested in applying for. (check the deadlines so you can time manage and prioritize).

December - January ▾

Key tasks:

  • December is the last month to take and submit your SAT/ACT to universities!
  • Check your email regularly for updates.

Learn more:

SAT/ACT

  • DECEMBER is the last chance for you to take the SAT/ACT and still be able to send it to the universities you applied to.
  • SAT/ACT scores must be SENT to the UCs and CSUs by January. Go online to College Board to send your score for FREE (apply for a fee waiver during checkout and select “Reduced Lunch Program”).
  • Even if you applied to multiple UCs and CSUs, you only need to send your scores to ONE UC and ONE CSU and the rest of the campuses will receive your score.

Financial aid

  • Most universities require you to submit a FAFSA or California Dream Act application.
  • Look into the universities that you have applied to, so that you can get an idea of the aid you may be able to receive.

College Applications

  • Confirm Applications: Around this time you should be receiving emails from colleges confirming that they have received your application and will also provide you with a link to set up your portal.
  • A portal is a web page where students can keep track of their admissions process and provide the university with extra materials (if needed).
  • It is extremely important that you check your email OFTEN (at least once every few days) for any emails from colleges. Failure to respond to certain emails on time can result in your application being withdrawn from consideration.
  • Early acceptances: If you submitted an early action or early decision, you should be receiving a decision around this time period.

February - March ▾

Key tasks:

  • March 2nd: Last day to complete the FAFSA or the California Dream Act.
  • Keep checking your email regularly for updates.
  • Keep searching for scholarships.

Learn more:

Financial Aid

  • March 2nd is the last day to submit your FAFSA or California Dream Act application.

College applications

  • College admissions decisions usually start to come out as early as February. Check your email regularly so that you can see if any updates have been made to your portal.

April ▾

Key tasks:

  • Research your college options and visit if possible
  • Decide which college you will be attending
  • Keep checking your email regularly for updates
  • Keep searching for scholarships

Learn more:

  • By now, you will have heard back from most colleges. This is the time to start researching your options and visiting campuses if you are able to. Colleges usually host admitted students events to welcome newly admitted students to campus. Try to attend those events if possible, as they will help you get a feel of the campus and student body. Ask the admissions department if they offer reimbursements for trips (they might pay for your flights, hotels, etc.)

  • Compare the pros and cons of each school.

  • Make a final decision: After weighing all your options, accept your offer of admission and submit your deposit.
  • Notify other schools: After making your final decision, notify all the other schools of your decision as soon as possible.

May - June ▾

Key tasks:

  • Send official transripts and AP exam reports to the college you're attending
  • Pay deposit to the college you are attending
  • Keep checking your email regularly for updates.

Learn more:

  • Deadline deposit: Colleges will require you to submit a deposit in order to reserve your seat.
  • Final transcripts: Once you graduate high school request your FINAL TRANSCRIPTS so that you can send them to your university.
  • AP exams: Some colleges will allow you to submit the scores of the current AP courses you took. (check and if they allow it go ahead and submit them)
  • Thank you letters: If one of your teachers, counselors, co-worker, etc. wrote you a recommendation letter, write them a thank you note to them to show your appreciation!

Summer before college ▾

Key tasks:

  • If living away from home, secure housing early.
  • Register for classes.
  • Keep checking your email regularly for updates.

Learn more:

  • Housing: If you’re planning on living away from home (dorming or living in an apartment), fill out your housing application on time, so that you can be accommodated.
  • Finding roommates: Once you have applied for housing, universities have Facebook housing pages that will allow you to communicate with your peers and find yourself a roommate. When filling out your housing application, you can also opt to be randomly matched with a roommate based on some personal preferences (when you like to go to bed, if you prefer quiet spaces, etc.)
  • Attend orientation: Your university will host an orientation when you will learn how to register for classes, get involved, and meet your classmates.
  • Register for classes: Your university will give you a date and time when you can enroll into classes. Have backup classes ready just in case the classes you want are already filled up.

Congratulations! You’re ready to begin college in the fall!

Last updated: 2/20/20

More articles under Applying to College

Featured
Exploring majors
Info on the SAT/ACT
College Application Timeline
Community college and the transfer process
Applying to the CSUs
Applying to Private Universities
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