The College Application Timeline: How Early or Late Should You Start?
After working with countless applicants, we have learned that setting appropriate time expectations is essential before discussing the strength of any candidacy. If you are too late, you risk not having enough time to adjust critical variables. If you are too early, you risk overloading yourself with too many expectations.
It's no secret that high school teens are overbooked and overstretched. So what is the appropriate timeframe to efficiently tackle college applications? Here is our year-by-year outlook to help you plan ahead and minimize college application anxiety. Our approach is flexible and can be personalized depending on the applicant. When in doubt, feel free to book some time with one of our advisors for guidance.
College Application Timeline for Middle and High Schoolers
7th and 8th Grade:
Outline your high school schedule with classes that display academic rigor and drive. Think about which AP, IB, or honors courses you would take and understand if there are any prerequisites that you will need to complete.
Catch up on any subjects that you're falling behind in.
Explore different interests through middle school electives and after-school programs. Get to know what you like vs. what you don't like.
Freshman Year (9th Grade):
Develop good study habits to maintain a high GPA throughout high school.
Start filling this summer (and all summers!) with productive activities that align with your interests, like taking additional classes, participating in academic research, volunteering at non-profit organizations, working a part-time job, or simply traveling around the world to learn about new cultures.
Sophomore Year (10th Grade):
Construct your resume by summarizing the activities you've participated in so far and brainstorm future extracurriculars, keeping in mind your intended college major/minor.
Create a broad list of target colleges that you've researched. Go to the schools' websites to learn more about the culture, curriculum, and learning environment. List a few reasons why you'd be a good fit.
Take the PSAT and prepare for the official exam with additional SAT/ACT resources.
Refine your career focus by talking to people in your intended fields of study.
Meet with an admissions advisor to discuss college options, standardized test scores, and application requirements.
Junior Year (11th Grade):
Register for the SAT or ACT. We recommend taking the exam at least twice since most students improve their scores the second time!
Tour campuses, attend information webinars, and chat with current students/alums to learn more about your target colleges.
Contact your recommenders near the end of this year if your target colleges require letters of recommendation.
Meet regularly with an admissions advisor to execute your admissions plan.
Summer Before Senior Year (12th Grade):
Enroll in summer courses for a GPA boost.
Research scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
Complete your resume with all achievements, jobs, volunteer experience, and awards.
Senior Year (12th Grade):
Finalize the list of colleges that you will apply to. Make sure there is a mix of safeties, matches, and reaches.
Decide if you are applying early decision or early action to any of your target schools. Generally, early action and early decision applications are due in early November, whereas regular decision applications are due in early January.
Create a calendar with all application deadlines.
Ensure that your high school transcript, official SAT/ACT exam, and letters of recommendation have been sent to your target schools.
Work on your essays, portfolios, activities list, interviews, and other application components with an admissions expert.
Submit your college applications!
The college application process requires careful planning, time management, and organization. Above all, students should prioritize their academic and extracurricular pursuits, prepare for standardized tests, and seek guidance from a counselor or advisor. By following this timeline and taking advantage of available resources, students can increase their chances of success and achieve their college dreams.
