A planning guide for students + families
Senior Year
College Planning Guide
What to do, and when.
Senior Year Goal
Senior Year at a Glance
- 01
June – August
Finalize your college list, draft your essays, and set up your application plan.
- 02
September
Finalize early-round strategy and continue refining essays and applications.
- 03
October
Submit October deadlines and prepare remaining Early Action and Early Decision applications.
- 04
November – December
Complete early applications, continue Regular Decision work, and respond to early decisions.
- 05
January – February
Submit remaining applications, confirm materials are received, and follow up as needed.
- 06
March – May
Compare your options, make your decision, and complete enrollment steps.
Stage 1 of 6
June – August
Finalize your college list, draft your essays, and set up your application plan.
Consider
- Is your college list balanced — likely, target, and reach?
- What do you want your essays to reveal about you?
- Which application plans (ED, EA, REA, RD) fit your goals?
- What will make this summer meaningful beyond applications?
Do
- Finalize a balanced college list of 8–12 schools.
- Draft your personal statement; aim for a strong version by mid-August.
- Build a tracker for requirements, essays, and deadlines.
- Take or retake the SAT/ACT* if you haven’t reached your target.
- List the supplemental essays required by each school.
- Review financial aid requirements and note school-specific deadlines.
- August 1: applications open — create accounts and complete your Common App profile.
- Choose one email address for applications and check it regularly.
Stage 2 of 6
September
Finalize early-round strategy and continue refining essays and applications.
Consider
- Which schools have the earliest deadlines — some fall as early as October 15?
- Do your essays sound like you?
- Do your recommenders and counselor have what they need from you?
Do
- Refine your personal statement; begin supplements, earliest deadlines first.
- Have a trusted reader review essays for clarity, voice, and consistency.
- Confirm your Early Decision / Early Action plan.
- Check in with recommenders; request a counselor letter if needed.
- Schedule interviews where colleges offer them.
- Research merit scholarships and note their deadlines, which may be earlier.
- Register for a final fall SAT/ACT* if needed; October is often the last sitting for early-round scores.
Stage 3 of 6
October
Submit October deadlines and prepare remaining Early Action and Early Decision applications.
Consider
- Which of your schools have October 15 deadlines?
- Does each college require official scores, or accept self-reported?
- Which financial aid forms does each school require, and when?
Do
- Submit applications with October 15 deadlines — several Early Action and Early Decision plans close this day.
- Finalize remaining ED/EA applications ahead of November deadlines.
- Send official score reports where required, allowing time for processing.
- Confirm school-required materials are in process.
- Complete any remaining testing* if needed.
- Submit the FAFSA and CSS Profile when they open, as required by each college.
- Create each college’s applicant portal as soon as setup instructions arrive.
Stage 4 of 6
November – December
Complete early applications, continue Regular Decision work, and respond to early decisions.
Consider
- Are Regular Decision essays progressing?
- Have any colleges sent portal setup instructions or follow-up requests?
- If an early decision does not go your way, what is your next step?
Do
- Submit remaining Early Action / Early Decision applications by each college’s deadline.
- Check the email address used for applications regularly.
- Create each college’s applicant portal when setup instructions arrive.
- Review applicant portals for missing materials or follow-up requests.
- Note December 1 deadlines for arts portfolios and some scholarships.
- Continue Regular Decision essays and prioritize upcoming deadlines.
- When possible, complete Regular Decision applications before winter break.
- Respond to early decisions as they arrive.
- If admitted ED, follow the binding agreement, withdraw other applications, and notify your counselor.
Stage 5 of 6
January – February
Submit remaining applications, confirm materials are received, and follow up as needed.
Consider
- Are there any remaining application, scholarship, or honors deadlines?
- Do any applicant portals show missing or incomplete materials?
- If deferred, does the college invite updates or a letter of continued interest?
Do
- Submit remaining Regular Decision and ED II applications by each college’s deadline (most fall Jan. 1–15; some Feb. 1).
- Confirm each college’s exact submission deadline and time zone before submitting.
- Continue checking application email and applicant portals.
- Follow up on missing materials as needed.
- Respond promptly to college requests.
- Track remaining scholarship and honors program deadlines.
- If deferred, follow the college’s instructions and send an update if appropriate.
- Keep grades strong; midyear reports may still be required.
Stage 6 of 6
March – May
Compare your options, make your decision, and complete enrollment steps.
Consider
- Which offer fits best — academically, financially, and personally?
- How do the financial aid awards compare?
- Where can you see yourself growing over the next four years?
Do
- Most decisions arrive by early April — compare offers on fit, cost, and opportunity.
- Continue checking email and applicant portals for decisions and next steps.
- Revisit campuses or attend admitted-student events if you can.
- Review financial aid awards together as a family.
- If waitlisted, follow the college’s instructions and decide whether you want to remain under consideration.
- May 1: National Decision Day — submit your enrollment deposit.
- After committing, decline other offers and withdraw remaining applications.
- Take AP/IB exams if applicable; scores may be used for placement or credit.
- Notify your counselor of your decision; send your final transcript and complete housing and orientation steps.
Next: Prepare for college
Complete enrollment, housing, orientation, and transition steps.
*If applicable based on the student’s testing plans and the policies of colleges under consideration.
Keep your plan close.
Print the four-page guide for monthly check-ins, family conversations, and meetings with your school counselor.
Download the PDFSenior year, one step at a time.
Want support with essays, deadlines, and decisions? My Statement Studio’s College Admission Coaching keeps every application moving on a plan built for your student.