CollegeVine’s Free​ Program Guide
Admissions Timeline
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Freshman
Sophomore
Junior
Senior
Use this timeline as a reference – dates will change for specific programs, and Early Decision applications.
Freshman Year
Late July, Early August
Registration deadline for
August SAT if applicable.
Preview SAT Subject Test
calendar dates and availability.
Make a schedule that
accommodates the tests you
plan to take.
Late August
SAT Administration
September
Begin research and planning
for the summer between your
freshman and sophomore
year. Many prestigious
summer programs have
application deadlines as early
as November of the year prior.
September 15
Confirm PSAT registration with
guidance counselor if you plan
on taking it. If none is offered
at your school, contact other
schools to arrange a test date.
Mid-September
Registration deadline for
October SAT and ACT, if
applicable. Preview SAT Subject
Test calendar dates and
availability. Make a schedule
that accommodates the tests
you plan to take.
October
Take the PSAT​.
Three dates are typically
available, but the test will only be
offered at your school once.
Early October
SAT Administration
Early June
SAT Administration
Mid-October
Mid-February
Registration deadline for
November SAT, if applicable.
Preview SAT Subject Test
calendar dates and availability.
Make a schedule that
accommodates the tests you
plan to take.
Registration deadline for
March SAT. ​No SAT IIs offered on
March exam date
Late October
ACT administration
November
Registration deadline for
December SAT and ACT.
Preview SAT Subject Test
calendar dates and availability.
Make a schedule that
accommodates the tests you
plan to take.
Mid-November – March
Deadlines for many summer
programs.
Early November
SAT and ACT administrations​.
Early December
SAT and ACT administrations​.
Mid-January
Registration deadline for
February ACT.
Winter – Spring
Before March 1
Confirm AP registration with
AP teachers, or discuss
registration with AP
coordinators if self-studying.
Before March 1
Check AP calendar for any
potential exam conflicts.
Speak with an AP coordinator
at your school to coordinate a
late-testing date if necessary.
Early March
ACT administration
Mid-March
SAT administration
NOTE: There are no SAT Subject
Tests available on this date.
March and April
(Optional) Visit colleges over
your spring break to begin to
get a feeling for your likes and
dislikes
Early April, Early May
Registration Deadlines for May
and June SAT administrations.
Attend college fairs. Visit
several colleges if your
schedule allows.
Early May
Mid-February
May – June
ACT administration​ (NOTE: No
ACTs available in New York
State on this date.)
Think about scheduling college
visits as time allows over the
summer.
SAT Administration​ and
AP Exams
Use this timeline as a reference – dates will change for specific programs, and Early Decision applications.
Sophomore Year
Late July and
Early August
Registration deadline for
August SAT if applicable.
Preview SAT Subject Test
calendar dates and availability.
Make a schedule that
accommodates the tests you
plan to take.
Late August
SAT Administration
September 15
Confirm PSAT registration with
guidance counselor if you plan
on taking the PSAT. If none is
offered at your school, contact
other area schools to arrange a
test date.
Mid-September
Registration deadline for
October SAT and ACT, if
applicable. Preview SAT Subject
Test calendar dates and
availability. Make a schedule
that accommodates the tests
you plan to take.
September
Early October
Mid-February
SAT Administration
ACT administration
NOTE: No ACTs available in
New York State on this date.
Mid-October
Registration deadline for
November SAT, if applicable.
Preview SAT Subject Test
calendar dates and availability.
Make a schedule that
accommodates the tests you
plan to take.
Late October
ACT administration
November
Registration deadline for
March SAT. No SAT IIs offered
on March exam date
Before March 1
Confirm AP registration with
AP teachers, or discuss
registration with AP
coordinators if self-studying.
Registration deadline for
December SAT and ACT.
Preview SAT Subject Test
calendar dates and availability.
Make a schedule that
accommodates the tests you
plan to take.
Before March 1
Early November
ACT administration
SAT and ACT administrations​.
Early December
SAT and ACT administrations.
Mid November – March
Begin researching and
planning for the summer
between your sophomore and
junior year. Many prestigious
summer programs have
application deadlines as early
as November.
Deadlines for many summer
programs.
October
Attend college fairs. Visit
colleges if your schedule
allows.
Take the PSAT. Three dates are
typically available, but the test
will only be offered at your
school once.
Mid-February
Mid-January
Registration deadline for
February ACT.
Winter – Spring
Check AP calendar for any
potential exam conflicts. Speak
with AP coordinator to
coordinate a Late testing date
if necessary.
Early March
Mid-March
SAT administration
NOTE: There are no SAT Subject
Tests available on this date.
March and April
(Optional) Visit colleges over
your spring break to begin to
get a feeling for your likes and
dislikes
Early April and
Early May
Registration Deadlines for May
and June SAT administrations.
Use this timeline as a reference – dates will change for specific programs, and Early Decision applications.
Sophomore Year (continued)
Early May
May – June
Early June
SAT Administration
Think about scheduling college
visits as time allows over the
summer.
SAT Administration
Early-Mid May
AP Exams
Use this timeline as a reference – dates will change for specific programs, and Early Decision applications.
Junior Year
Late July and Early
August
Registration deadline for
August SAT if applicable.
Preview SAT Subject Test
calendar dates and availability.
Make a schedule that
accommodates the tests you
plan to take.
Late August
SAT Administration
September
Begin to keep an eye out for
scholarship opportunities.
While most are not due until
senior year, some — especially
larger awards — do have
deadlines during junior year or
early in senior year. Remain
alert in order to capitalize on
potential scholarships available
to you.
September 15
Confirm PSAT registration with
guidance counselor if you plan
on taking the PSAT. If none is
offered at your school, contact
other area schools to arrange a
test date.
Mid-September
Registration deadline for
October SAT and ACT, if
applicable. Preview SAT Subject
Test calendar dates and
availability. Make a schedule
that accommodates the tests
you plan to take.
September
Mid November – March
Begin researching and
planning for the summer
between your junior and senior
year. Many prestigious
summer programs have
application deadlines as early
as November
Deadlines for many summer
programs.
October
Mid-January
Registration deadline for
February ACT. Take your first
ACT now if you plan on taking it
but have not already.
Take the PSAT. Three dates are
typically available, but the test
will only be offered at your
school once.
Winter – Spring
Early October
Mid-February
SAT Administration
Mid-October
Registration deadline for
November SAT, if applicable.
Preview SAT Subject Test
calendar dates and availability.
Make a schedule that
accommodates the tests you
plan to take.
Late October
ACT administration
November
Registration deadline for
December SAT and ACT.
Preview SAT Subject Test
calendar dates and availability.
Make a schedule that
accommodates the tests you
plan to take.
Early November
SAT and ACT administrations
Early December
SAT and ACT administrations
Attend college fairs. Visit
colleges if your schedule
allows.
Take your first ACT if you plan
on taking the ACT and have not
already. (NOTE: No ACTs
available in New York State on
this date.)
Mid-February
Registration deadline for
March SAT. Take your first SAT
if you plan on taking it but have
not already. No SAT IIs offered
on March exam date
Before March 1
Confirm AP registration with
AP teachers, or discuss
registration with AP
coordinators if self-studying.
Before March 1
Check AP calendar for any
potential exam conflicts. Speak
with AP coordinator to
coordinate a Late testing date
if necessary.
Use this timeline as a reference – dates will change for specific programs, and Early Decision applications.
Junior Year (continued)
Early March
ACT administration
Mid-March
SAT administration
NOTE: There are no SAT Subject
Tests available on this date.
March and April
Prepare a list of colleges to visit
and visit colleges during your
spring break
Early April and
Early May
Registration Deadlines for May
and June SAT administrations.
Juniors should plan to take SAT
Subject Tests on these dates.
Early May
SAT Administration
Early May
AP Exams
May – June
Think about scheduling college
visits as time allows over the
summer.
Early June
SAT Administration
End of Junior Year
Request teacher
recommendations.
Use this timeline as a reference – dates will change for specific programs, and Early Decision applications.
Senior Year ​ (​ page 1 of 3)
Summer Before
Mid-September
October 12
Research scholarships. Create
a list of ongoing scholarships
and important deadlines to
keep in mind throughout the
year. Many scholarships have
deadlines as early as October
and November.
Registration deadline for
October SAT and ACT, if
applicable. Preview SAT Subject
Test calendar dates and
availability. Make a schedule
that accommodates the tests
you plan to take.
Complete Naviance or
Guidance counselor brag
sheet, if applicable.
Preferences will vary by
guidance counselor. Check
with yours ahead of time.
Mid-June
September
Begin working on Common
App essay
Begin brainstorming for essay
topics.
Late July
September 7 –
October 1
Send SAT/ACT and SAT Subject
Test scores to all early action
schools unless you are taking
October ACT or November SAT.
Registration deadline for
August SAT if applicable.
Preview SAT Subject Test
calendar dates and availability.
Make a schedule that
accommodates the tests you
plan to take.
August 1
The Common Application is
released online.
Early August
Registration deadline for
September ACT.
Mid-August
Finalize your college list.
Consider Early Decision-I or
Early Action (EA) options.
Late August
SAT administration
Early September
ACT administration
October 12
October 15
Contact MIT Educational
Counselor (EC) to arrange
interviews for Early Action
applications, if applicable.
Aim to complete second draft
of essay for ED-I and EA
deadlines. Submit for editing
and final review.
October 1
October 15
Confirm teacher
recommendations for ED-I and
EA deadlines.
Register for CSS Profile, if
applicable.
October 5
Complete all steps for your
high school to send your
transcript to all ED-I and EA
schools.
Aim to complete first draft of
essay for ED-I and EA
deadlines. Submit for editing
and review.
Early October
SAT Administration
Early October
Registration deadline for
November SAT, if applicable.
Preview SAT Subject Test
calendar dates and availability.
Make a schedule that
accommodates the tests you
plan to take.
October 15
Before October 21
Meet with guidance counselor
to pass along any notes you
would like them to mention in
their recommendation letter.
October 22
Submit art or other
supplement and/or Slideroom
to all ED-I and EA schools.
October 25
Have a friend or teacher read
through your final essays to
catch any last typos for ED-I
and EA applications.
Use this timeline as a reference – dates will change for specific programs, and Early Decision applications.
Senior Year​ ​(page 2 of 3)
October 28
November 15
Check in with your teachers to
make sure that they have sent
your recommendation letters
in for ED-I and EA applications.
Complete all steps for your
high school to send your
transcript to UC Schools and
other 11/30 or 12/1 deadlines.
Late October
November 15
ACT administration
Confirm teacher
recommendations for regular
and ED-II applications.
November 1 – 15
Typical Early Decision-I and EA
application deadlines.
November 3 – 23
Contact MIT Educational
Counselor (EC) to arrange
regular decision interview, if
applicable
Early November
Registration deadline for
December SAT and ACT. This
administration will be your last
chance for SAT and ACT scores
to reach schools for ED-II
application and regular
application deadlines.
Early November
SAT and ACT administrations
November 10
Aim to complete first draft
essays and submit for editing
and review for regular or ED-II
applications
Before November 15
Prepare for ED-I and EA alumni
interviews.
November 15
Send SAT/ACT, and SAT II
scores to all UC Schools and
others with 11/30 or 12/1
deadlines.
ED-II and regular application
deadlines.
Mid-December
ED-I and EA decisions released.
December 10
Have a teacher or friend read
through your final essay to
catch any last typos for regular
or ED-II applications.
Before December 15
Prepare for ED-II alumni
interviews.
December 15
Rush October ACT or
November SAT scores to all
ED-I schools (if applicable).
Complete all steps for your
high school to send your
transcript to all regular or ED-II
schools.
November 22
December 15
Submit art or other
supplement and/or Slideroom
to all UC Schools and other
schools with 11/30 or 12/1
deadlines.
Around December 20
November 15 – 22
November 24
Aim to complete second draft
of essay for ED-II and regular
decision deadlines. Submit for
editing and final review.
November 30 or
December 1
Application deadline at UC
schools and few others.
Early December
SAT and ACT administrations.
Last chance for SAT and ACT
scores to reach schools for
Send SAT/ACT and SAT Subject
Test scores to all regular or
ED-II schools.
Rush December SAT or ACT
scores for ED-II and regular
decision application deadlines.
December 15 –
January 1
Typical ED-II Application
deadlines.
December 15
Submit art or other
supplement and/or Slideroom
to all regular or ED-II schools (if
applicable).
Use this timeline as a reference – dates will change for specific programs, and Early Decision applications.
Senior Year ​ (​ page 3 of 3)
January 1 – February 1
Before March 1
Typical Regular Decision
Application deadlines.
Check AP calendar for any
potential exam conflicts. Speak
with AP coordinator to
coordinate a Late testing date
if necessary.
Before January 25
Prepare for regular decision
alumni interviews.
January – March
Common Deadline for FAFSA
and CSS Profiles at most
schools
Before February 7
Make sure your school sends
Mid-year reports to all regular
decision schools that require
them.
Mid-February
ED-II decisions released.
February 20
Finalize and submit FAFSA and
CSS Profiles.
Before March 1
Confirm AP registration with
AP teachers, or discuss
registration with AP
coordinators if self-studying.
Mid-March – Early April
Regular application decisions
released.
April 15
Write waitlist letter and secure
waitlist recommendation if
applicable.
May 1
Finalize your college choice or
decision to take a gap year.
Early – Mid May
AP Exams