Senior year is the most packed with critical dates and deadlines in the college process. Start early, make a plan with your mentor and family, and stay organized! 

For another version of this timeline with separate checklists for parents and students, see the Parent and Student College Checklist resource.


August/September:

  • Transcript check

  • Register for/retake ACT or SAT

  • Finalize college list

  • Complete or update your brag sheet for your letters of recommendation

  • Write college essays

  • Begin college applications

  • Estimate your EFC (Expected Family Contribution)

  • Complete scholarship applications

  • Visit colleges

  • California Only: UC/CSU eligibility check


October:

  • Request letters of recommendation

  • Early Action/Early Decision applications

  • Continue to work on college applications

  • Revise college essays

  • Retake ACT or SAT

  • Complete scholarship applications

  • Attend Cash for College Night at your school with parents/ guardians

  • Submit the FAFSA, WASFA, or CA Dream Act Applications

  • Attend college preview days

  • Visit colleges


November:

  • Apply Early Action/Early Decision

  • Attend Application Night at your school

  • Complete scholarship applications

  • Washington Only: Submit UW applications due 11/15

  • California Only: Submit CSU & UC applications due 11/30

  • California Only: Submit EOP applications


December:

  • Apply Early Action/Early Decision

  • Ensure test scores are sent to colleges

  • Finalize your Common App Essay(s)

  • End semester with strong grades-- they will be sent to colleges!

  • Complete scholarship applications

  • Make a plan for college and scholarship applications over Winter Break


January:

  • Submit private college applications

  • Complete scholarship applications

  • Request Mid-Year Reports

  • Check your email (including spam folder) regularly for correspondence from colleges

  • Visit colleges

  • Washington Only: Submit UWB, UWT applications due 1/15

  • Washington Only: Submit WWU, WSU applications due 1/31


February:

  • Submit private college applications

  • Complete scholarship applications

  • Submit the CSS/Profile Application (if required by schools)

  • Check your email (including spam folder) regularly for correspondence from colleges

  • Visit colleges

  • Washington Only: Submit CWU, EWU, Evergreen applications due 2/1

  • California Only: Create a Webgrants 4 Students account 


March:

  • Complete scholarship applications

  • Submit any FAFSA changes/corrections

  • Sign up for AP exams

  • Check your email (including spam folder) regularly for correspondence from colleges

  • Visit colleges

  • California Only: Sign up for EPT/ELM testing


April:

  • Compare financial aid award letters

  • Meet with your mentor about your college decision

  • Check your email (including spam folder) regularly for correspondence from colleges

  • Submit Statement of Intent to Register


May:

  • Statement of Intent to Register deadline: May 1

  • Enter all application outcomes and college of attendance in Overgrad

  • AP tests

  • Check your email (including spam folder) regularly for correspondence from your college of attendance

  • Send all requested documents to your college of attendance


June:

  • Check your email (including spam folder) regularly for correspondence from your college of attendance

  • Send all requested documents to your college of attendance