Application Time- Table for Undergraduates
Preparing for college and pursuing an undergraduate program really gets serious in the junior and senior years in high school. As a junior, students start working on a serious college search list and prepare to take exams like the PSAT and AP tests. As a senior, students narrow their college list to 5 or so and work on taking the SAT or ACT exams early.
NOTE: Parents of seniors should know that they might need to do taxes a little earlier than normal for submitting their child's application for financial aid.
• Application – online or hard copy
• High school and all other valid transcripts
• Personal statement (statement of purpose)
• Letters of recommendation - normally three are required
• Test scores – ACT, SAT, SAT Subject Tests, TOEFL etc.
• Resume or CV – for some programs
• Financial aid forms
Majority of application deadlines fall between December and February.Here is a typical application time-table recommended for students applying to undergraduate school:
Summer
Shortlist undergraduate schools and desired programs;
Visit the undergrad school websites to see what the application process is like;
Review test dates;
Finalize which fall admissions tests need to be taken or retaken;
Register to re-take SAT or ACT exams if required.
Continue to work on practice essays;
Write or call for required admission materials from target colleges;
Schedule admission interviews and college visits;
Research financial aid sources for grad students;
Find out what standardized tests are required to take and time duration needed to prepare. For example: SAT, ACT, TOEFL, SAT Subject Tests etc.;
Research test preparation courses for select programs;
Start thinking about who should write recommendation letters;
Write a draft statement of purpose/personal statement;Keep application checklists up- to-date for each target college.
Note: If students are applying to schools with Early Action or Decision Plans, they need to ensure that their applications are completed and sent.
August-September
Schedule a senior counseling meeting;
Research programs by talking with faculty;
Request select inidividuals for letters of recommendation;
Register for standardized exams like SAT, SAT Subject Tests or ACT;
Begin to develop a personal timeline for the application process;
Write a first draft of application essay;
Take a test preparation course.
October
Start carefully filling out application forms;
Follow and complete application timeline based on each institution's and financial aid deadlines;
Order transcripts from all post-secondary institutions (If fall term grades are expected, then check with staff in the registrar's office to see if a transcript including fall term grades can be sent in time to meet application deadlines.) ;
Provide recommenders with required information to write recommendation letters;
Also, gently remind instructors (and others) about due dates;
Continue to schedule interviews and visit target schools;
Take required standardized tests;Start search for scholarship opportunities;
Continue to attend college fairs, and meet with college representatives;
Complete personal statement, adjusting it to meet each application's specific needs;Continue to write and review application essays;
Initiate a serious talk with parents about financial aid and cost of college.
November
Continue to look for scholarship opportunities;
Be prepared as many schools have November 30th deadline for applications;
Check for upcoming college visits or admissions interviews;
Start completing and sending scholarship applications;
Ensure to take SAT standardized exams;
Attend application workshops sponsored by different schools;
Send application forms to target schools;
Check with requested recommenders to ensure they are working to complete and send the required Letters of Recommendation.
December
Ensure all recommendation letters are submitted;
Continue to discuss and review the financial aid application with parents and counselors;
Continue to make college visits, attend college fairs and meet with college representatives;
Mail applications. Even if deadlines are later, it is good to get the applications in early.
January
Fill-out financial aid forms provided by target colleges;
Attend (with parents) financial aid workshops at school;
Check deadlines for submitting the financial aid forms;
February
Check all deadlines and due dates coming up;
Continue to fill-out scholarship applications and send them in;
Continue to research short-listed colleges and schedule all necessary visits;
Complete financial aid forms;Try and submit applications for financial aid;
March
Look for student aid report in the mail;
Continue to research, evaluate and visit target schools;
Register for re-takes of SAT or ACT exams;
Check for all deadlines and due dates still outstanding';
Check with counselor or teachers about Advanced Placement Tests.
April
Schedule any Advanced Placement Exams for May
Students should follow-up with schools that have wait listed their applications;
Watch for Student Aid Report (SAR);
Send commitment deposit by the required deadline to the finalized school;
Continue search for scholarships and apply;
If students are applying for need based financial aid programs, they may have to file a copy of their federal income tax return.
May
Check any deadlines or due dates still outstanding;
Take Advanced Placement Exams based on eligibility;
Make final decision and inform schools. Usually MAY 1st is the deadline.
June
Contact everyone who helped in the admission process and thank them;
Get prepared to get into undergraduate school.