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The College Admissions Calendar: What Needs to Happen and When
- futurefindersllc
- Feb 25
- 2 min read
If college admissions had a theme song, it would be “Don’t Miss a Thing” by Aerosmith. 🎶 (Because if there’s one thing that stresses parents out, it’s the sheer number of deadlines lurking around every corner.)
The truth? College admissions isn’t just one deadline—it’s a series of steps, all on different timelines. Miss the wrong one, and you could lose out on financial aid, priority scholarships, or even a dream school acceptance.
But don’t worry—I’ve got you covered. Here’s a clear, simple breakdown of what needs to happen and when.
Junior Year (The Setup Phase)
If your teen is a junior, now’s the time to lay the groundwork. The earlier they start, the smoother senior year will be.
✅ Spring of Junior Year:
Start researching colleges & building a preliminary list.
Take the SAT/ACT (or decide if test-optional is the way to go).
Look at college websites for scholarship deadlines (some are earlier than you think!).
Plan summer college visits, if possible.
Pro Tip: By the end of junior year, your teen should have a strong list of potential schools and a sense of their testing strategy. This makes senior year way less stressful.
Summer Before Senior Year (The Prep Work)
Most parents don’t realize this, but the best time to start college applications is summer—before school gets crazy.
✅ July-August:
Finalize the college list (reach, target, and safety schools).
Start writing college essays (trust me, last-minute essays are painful).
Gather materials for recommendation letters.
Review the Common App and other application platforms.
Secret: The earlier your teen submits, the better. Many schools start reviewing applications as soon as they come in!
Fall of Senior Year (Application Season)
This is crunch time. Here’s what needs to happen:
✅ September-October:
Ask teachers for letters of recommendation (give them time!).
Double-check Early Action/Early Decision deadlines (usually Nov 1 or Nov 15).
Finalize essays and polish applications.
✅ November-December:
Submit Early Action/Early Decision applications.
Meet priority scholarship deadlines (many fall in December or earlier).
Complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile (financial aid forms open in October).
Money Alert: Some schools have separate scholarship deadlines—don’t assume they’re the same as the admission deadline!
Winter & Spring of Senior Year (The Waiting Game)
✅ January-March:
Submit regular decision applications (deadlines vary, usually Jan 1 – Feb 1).
Look for external scholarships—there’s still free money out there!
Track emails and portals for admissions updates.
✅ April-May:
Compare financial aid offers.
Make a final decision & submit a deposit (usually by May 1).
Last Call: If your teen’s first-choice school waitlists them, send a letter of continued interest! It can make a difference.
Final Thoughts: Stay Organized & Stay Ahead
The best way to avoid last-minute panic? Put deadlines on the calendar now.
🎯 Want a stress-free way to track all of this? My course walks parents through exactly what to do at every stage—so you never miss a deadline.
📖 Check it out here → https://forms.gle/HCzZidiJAdq7f2u26
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