College Application Timeline

College Application Timeline

Here is a standard college application timeline. Your timeline may look different due to earlier or later deadlines – it is your responsibility to watch deadlines!

Fall or Winter of Junior Year:

Sign up for college representative visits held at Hayes High School.  Take the ACT or SAT for the first time. Take both, if you prefer, to see if you have a preference. They are both accepted at most, if not all, schools across the country.

Spring of Junior Year:

Take a test prep course or use a book to help you in your second taking of the ACT or SAT. Visit the Hayes Test Prep website.

Take the ACT or SAT again to improve your score. Most Seniors have taken all ACTs or SATs by the Winter of their Senior year, and many attempt them 2-3 times, sometimes more.

Start visiting colleges on your college list.

Not sure what questions to ask of a representative or while on a college campus tour? 

Here are some great questions to ask!

Also check out ACT's Ultimate Guide to Conquering College Visits.

 

Summer of Senior Year:

Continue to visit colleges, although it is best to see them when classes are in session. Now is the time to start creating the list of schools you will apply to. Dream schools can still be on the list.  Check out this checklist of things to do!

Fall and Winter of Senior Year:

Finalize the application list and begin your applications. Watch your deadlines and application materials needed as they are often different for each college. Once your Brag Sheet is complete, ask teachers, coaches, and/or Mrs. Pollard for a letter of recommendation.  This checklist will help you stay on track!

Submit your applications. And wait.

ASAP after October 1 of Senior Year:

Fill out the FAFSA online in order to receive federal, state, and institutional financial aid. List all colleges you have applied to, so they can receive your financial information and send you an award letter for financial aid. Each college has a FAFSA deadline, too!

Winter and Spring of Senior Year:

Letters or emails will begin arriving letting you know if you have been admitted, denied, deferred, or waitlisted to a particular college. Financial Aid Award Letters will begin to arrive in Winter and Spring to show you the aid package the college is offering.

Time to decide and send in your deposit. Colleges will hold your seat and aid until May 1.