Know Your Deadlines
College application time is a stressful one because so many different materials need to be received on different dates. Think that weight will be off your shoulders once your child gets accepted? Not a chance: Many financial aid applications need to be renewed each year your child is in college. A good way to avoid unnecessary tension is to clearly map out when everything is due and when certain things should be scheduled. Here’s a cheat sheet by month for parents of high school seniors:
September
October
- SAT or ACT exams (dates will vary)
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Ask teachers and counselors for letters of recommendation (lots of students will want them, especially from popular teachers, so put your request in early)
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Schedule campus tours
November
- Early Admission/Early Decision deadlines (these vary by school; more on the difference between the two here.)
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SAT exams (dates will vary)
December
- SAT or ACT exams (dates will vary)
- Suggest your child completes and submits his or her applications before winter break
January
- FAFSA submission begins on January 1st (the deadline varies by state; we recommend starting NOW)
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Regular admission deadlines (these also vary by school and there is a fee associated with each application)
February
March
April
- Attend events for accepted students and their parents to help finalize your child's college choice
- Mail enrollment form and deposit check to your child’s school of choice before the end of the month (May 1st is the deadline at many schools; check with your child’s to be sure)
May
- AP exams run (typically the first two weeks in May)
June
- Make sure your child is signed up for orientation (dates again depend on the school; for larger colleges, multiple dates available are often available to accommodate all students)
- Finalize housing assignments and submit appropriate forms and deposits if your child will be living on campus