COLLEGE APPLICATION TIMELINE
| FRESHMAN & SOPHOMORE YEARS | |
| During their freshman and sophomore years, students should be focused on taking the most challenging courses according to their ability. Special emphasis should also be placed on extracurricular involvement, including athletics, clubs & organizations, and community service opportunities. Sophomores will take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) in October. | |
| JUNIOR YEAR | |
| OCTOBER | Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) given at MacDuffie. Specific test date and other information will be available in the College Counseling Office and will be announced in ATC and at morning Assembly. |
| FEBRUARY | Monthly group meetings with College Counselor begin. Individual conferences are also structured around each student’s academic schedule. |
| MARCH | Plan to take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT in March, May, and June. College fairs are held for juniors in March & April at various locations. Spring break is a good opportunity to begin visiting colleges. |
| APRIL MAY |
Schedule individual meetings with the College Counselor. Monthly group meetings continue. Take SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT. Advanced Placement exams are held in May at MacDuffie. |
| JUNE | Continue to obtain information about colleges, visit colleges, begin to narrow their list of choices, work on a resume of activities and accomplishments, and practice writing essays. Take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT in June. |
| SUMMER | Continue to research potential colleges, plan college visits, continue to narrow their list of choices, work on a resume of activities and accomplishments, and practice writing essays. |
| SENIOR YEAR | |
| SEPTEMBER OCTOBER |
Be aware of deadlines for October, November, December SAT. College representatives visit MacDuffie. College Fairs are also held at various locations. Most Early Decision and Early Action deadlines are in November. Seniors meet with College Counselor in regular group and individual meetings. Work on college application essays, turn in extracurricular activity sheets, and review transcripts independently and during individual meetings. |
| NOVEMBER DECEMBER |
Keep track of college requirements and deadlines, begin filling out college applications, take SAT, SAT Subject Tests, & ACT (it is advised to have all testing completed by the December test date for non-rolling admission colleges), and request recommendations from teachers well in advance of the deadlines. Check College Counseling Office for scholarship opportunities and deadlines. Many Early Decision & Early Action candidates notified of decisions in December. |
| JANUARY FEBRUARY |
January is the last chance for seniors to take the SAT. Most college applications are due between January 1 and March 1. Note dates carefully, and submit applications in advance of deadline. Parents complete financial aid forms. Most are due between February 1 and March 1. Many scholarship applications are due by March 1. |
| APRIL | Most colleges notify students of their admission status by the first week of April. Students must make their decisions and notify colleges in writing by May 1. They should also decline offers from other colleges which accepted them. |
| MAY | Advanced Placement exams. |
| JUNE | Graduation! Final transcripts are sent to colleges by July 1. |
