August - SEPTEMBER
- Select the final colleges to which you want to apply and research their application deadlines and requirement
- Complete the Common Application, Coalition Application, or ApplyTexas for the schools that you selected.
- Apply to 1-2 schools that are considered "Reach" or "Hard Target"
- Apply to 2-4 schools that are considered "Match" or "Target"
- Apply to 2 schools that are considered "Safety"
- If given a choice, use the Common Application or Coalition Application over the ApplyTexas Application. It will allow your counselor to send your documents more efficiently.
- Complete the Common Application personal statement or Essay A of the ApplyTexas application
- Ask a trusted adult (like your academic advisor, counselor, or teacher) to review your college application and essays.
- Research and apply to scholarships—at least two per week!
- If you need to improve your ACT or SAT scores, sign up to take the ACT or SAT. See links below for more information.
- Prepare for the TSIA test if you have not proven college readiness (23+ on ACT with a 19 in math and English, 480 EBRW and 530 Math for SAT, 4000 on English III EOC or Algebra II EOC) and if you plan to attend a Texas college.
- Check in with your recommendation writers (teachers in the subject you want to study, counselors, academic advisors, teachers who've know you for a long time). Make sure they have all the information they need to write a great letter (like a resume).
- If your colleges make it an option, set up on-campus or local rep interviews for admission.
- Parents: Start preparing financial aid paperwork and develop a deadlines list.
SEPTEMBER - November
- Submit all applications by the fall scholarship priority deadline, typically around November 1.
- Submit all Early Action and Early Decision applications no later than late October (these deadlines are typically around November 1).
- Many portfolio-based arts programs have December 1st deadlines.
- Ask the registrar's office to send transcripts to your colleges.
- Dual Credit Students: Send your AP scores for passed tests to San Jacinto College, so they can add those credits to your San Jac transcript. They give more credit hours than universities will. Send your San Jac transcript to your college.
- Pay any application fees or submit a fee waiver for your college application. If you are requesting a fee waiver, Google [your university's name] application fee waiver to determine the forms and directions for submission.
- Send ACT or SAT test scores to your colleges if you plan to apply with test scores. If your college is test-optional, look at your school's automatic acceptance cutoff or average ACT/SAT scores and compare these to your scores.
- Check your colleges' online portals and your email at least twice per week to make sure you don't miss any to-do items!
- Complete final college visits.
- Apply for financial aid using the FAFSA or TASFA. Some colleges also require the CSS/Profile (see a full list of those schools here).
- Research and apply to scholarships—at least two per week!
December
- Regular Decision (RD) deadlines are typically around January 1. Complete and send out all RD applications no later than mid-December. Give yourself a relaxing holiday break by completing your applications before November 15.
- Research and apply to scholarships—at least two per week!
- Check your colleges' online portals and your email at least twice per week to make sure you don't miss any to-do items.
January - March
- If deferred, send an email to your region/state/country admissions representative. Reaffirm your interest in the school and offer any updates (activities, achievements, awards, etc).
- Wait for application decisions.
- If you plan to live on campus, sign-up for campus housing as soon as registration opens.
- Research and apply to scholarships—at least two per week!
- Check your colleges' online portals and your email at least twice per week to make sure you don't miss any to-do items!
MARCH - APril
- Colleges have until April 1 to release decisions.
- Make your final college choice. Inform your decision with:
- Visits to accepted colleges, if needed,
- Local admitted student events when possible.
- Financial aid packages and scholarship offerings to figure out how to pay for college. Remember, loans must be repaid; grants and scholarships are gifts; student and parent contributions have to be paid up front.
- If you plan to live on campus, sign-up for campus housing as soon as registration opens.
- Students need to enroll and submit a deposit by May 1.
- Research and apply to scholarships—at least two per week!
- Check your colleges' online portals and your email at least twice per week to make sure you don't miss any to-do items!
May
- Take AP/IB exams. Make sure to send your scores to your college.
- Notify your school counselor of your college decisions and scholarship opportunities.
- If you've been waitlisted, this is a good time to send a)your “I'd like to stay on the wait list" form and b) the email to your designated admissions rep which states your interest in the school and offers updates (activities, achievements, awards, etc).
- Research and apply to scholarships—at least two per week!
- Check your colleges' online portals and your email at least twice per week to make sure you don't miss any to-do items!
JUNE
- AP Students: Send your new AP scores to your college (if you haven't already!)
- Continue saving for college.
- Check your email for waitlist notifications.
- Attend orientation sessions.
- Sign up for meal plans and register for classes.
- Find out what you need for your dorm and classes, and go shopping.
- Contact your future roommate(s).
- Make travel and move-in arrangements.
- Set up a bank account on or near campus.
- Set up a meeting with an academic advisor at your college to plan your classes.
- Continue applying for scholarships.
- Check your colleges' online portals and your email at least twice per week to make sure you don't miss any to-do items!
