Complete Guide on When to Apply for Colleges | Month by Month Senior Year College Applications

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When Do You Apply For Colleges: Want to know the college application process? If yes, this Senior Year College Application Timeline will define the detailed steps along with the month-by-month ideal procedure. Senior year is a time for making memories with college adventures, and scoring good marks.

Here we are giving the month-by-month college admission timeline for the top 100 colleges to keep you on track as you navigate through senior year and finish your application process. Few dates and information may vary based on the college you choose.

When Do You Apply For Colleges?

When you are at the end of high school, college can feel far away. However, college application dates are reaching quicker than you think. So, it is always better to start planning for college admission as early as possible. Once you begin the college application process, you need to go on campus tours, take tests, write essays, communicate with admission offices, and many more.

We are suggesting starting college planning at the early stage so that you don't have to spend your entire senior year of high school stressing about test scores, exams, and application deadlines. You will also find time for high school exam preparations. Our ideal college application timeline process includes the following months:

  • Summer Vacation
  • September
  • October
  • November
  • December and January
  • February and March
  • April
  • May and June
  • Summer Before College

Early Stage of Senior Year College Applications (Summer Vacation)

If you are a junior and at the end days of the school year and you have not started the college application process yet, then it is the correct time to begin. You have to focus on the following things.

  • Take Test: Initially take the ACT or SAT tests while the subject knowledge is still fresh on your brain. SAT scores and ACT scores create a big effect on your application, you should have enough time to retake the exams when you are not satisfied with the result.
  • Make your College List: Summer is a great time to work on the list of your colleges. By the end of the summer, you must prepare the college list that matches your needs and preferences. While preparing the college list, know the High Acceptance Rate Colleges.
  • Common Application: A lot of colleges and universities use common application steps, that can be found online. You can register into that account and proceed with the steps.
  • Visit Colleges: Before you are loaded with homework and extracurricular activities, visit some of the campuses on the list.
  • Apply for Scholarships: It is never too early to check for the scholarship information for your college.

College Application Process in September

After school starts, you have to start working on the college application process. Here is the list of things you need to do in September.

  • Start your Essays: Choose your college and practice essay and plan for the interview.
  • Request Applications: Ask your school to start to give applications on your list.
  • Guidance Counselor: Take the opinions of the counsellor about your college. They will help out in selecting the best college and give valuable advice.
  • SAT: Register for SAT exam. And start practising for it.

Senior Year College Applications in October

After selecting schools and preparing for interviews, and essays, you can begin the application process. It should be done in the month of October of your senior year of high school.

  • Start Applications: By considering a few more schools, work on the applications. Take care of spelling, and copy and paste work while filling the applications.
  • High School Transcripts: Request your school transcripts and verify your applications. Reviewing your transcripts is good to maintain your grades through to the end.
  • Testing: By this time, you will be taking SAT and CAT exams. If you get fewer marks, take the exam again.

Applications Steps in November

Here is the list of instructions to be followed in November month.

  • Submit Applications: Complete all the applications and get feedback about your essays.
  • Financial aid and Scholarships: Deadlines for financial aid and scholarships are still left, but you need to finish them sooner.
  • Testing: Still it is casual to take your SAT and ACT exams.
  • Grades: As the high school classes semester will end in mid-December, November is important. Take time to study well and improve your high school score.

What Do I Have to Do in December and January Months?

  • Know Application Deadlines: Most colleges have deadlines in December. Make sure that you submit the applications before the last date. Don't leave any application-related work till the last minute.
  • Finalize Application Components: By now, you have taken exams, essays, and secured letters of recommendation. Confirm that your test scores have been officially submitted to the college.
  • Review Scholarships: Yes, again review your scholarship deadlines.
  • Last Chance for Testing: If you want to improve your score, now is the final chance to take the exam.

Senior Year College Application Timeline: February and March

  • Confirm Applications: Most colleges will send a confirmation regarding applications.
  • Financial Aid: After submitting your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report. Review this carefully and verify everything is correct.
  • Late Applications: Few colleges have late deadlines. So, you can still apply to those colleges.
  • Acceptance Letters: You will start receiving acceptance, rejection or waitlist letters from the college.

April, May and June Application Procedure

  • Take Final Decisions: It is time for you to take the final decision on which college you want to join. Take the advice from your parents, teachers, mentors, friends, and other family members. While making a decision, consider the good, financial aid and cost of living expenses at the schools. Have a look at these cheap colleges' list.
  • Notify Other Schools: After making the decision, notify other schools that accepted you. So that they will confirm waitlist applicants.
  • Open House: Attend the open houses to know more about the school directly from your seniors.
  • Appeals: If you are rejected by a school, then you can appeal the decision.
  • Deposit Deadline: You need to pay the fee by the deadline.
  • Final Transcripts: Send your high school transcripts to the new college. This may help you secure a scholarship.

Last Phase of College Application Process: Summer Before College

  • Housing: Now you know where is your college. If you are planning on living in student housing, know information about this. If you are planning to live off-campus, make friends at the place and search for rooms.
  • Register for Classes: Start registering for classes. As a freshman, you will feel like you have a lot of time.
  • Go to College: Congratulations. You are going to college.

Important Deadlines to Focus

Before you start Senior Year College Application Process, you should keep important dates. The important deadlines are given here:

  • Test Dates
  • Early Action Application Deadlines
  • FAFSA Deadline
  • Decision Day

Conclusion

Hoping that the data gave here about When Do You Apply For Colleges is useful to start the senior year college application process. Stay tuned to our site to know the importance of education, college degrees in order and other useful information.