Important Deadlines for the College Process

It can be incredibly nerve-wracking to start the college admissions process and organize the different application and essay deadlines. This guide will help you start your college application journey! Make sure you include these dates in your college application checklist!  

Note: Not all college process deadlines and steps are included. The guide will be updated regularly.   

Image Courtesy of Pixaby

Over the Summer ☀️

During the summer, you should . . . 

• Start/Continue researching colleges based on your aspirations, major, location, and grades. 🏫
• Prepare for your SAT/ACT. 📚
• Brainstorm topics for your college essays! 🧠🌨

Important Dates in the College Process 🗓️

• Late Summer: National College Match Application opens
• August 1: Common Application and the Coalition for College opens for the class of 2022
• August 6, 2021: Registration deadline for the September 11th, 2021 ACT
• August 28, 2021: SAT Day

September - November 🍂

Over the fall, you should . . .

• Narrow down the colleges you are applying to. 🤔
• Start looking for scholarships! 🔍
• Start asking teachers for letters of recommendation. 🙋
• Write the first draft of your college essays! ✍️

Important Dates in the College Process🗓️

• September 11, 2021: ACT Day
• September 17, 2021: Registration deadline for October 23rd ACT
• September 28: National College Match Application is due
• October 1: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens, allowing you to receive financial aid for college
• October 1: CSS Profile opens
• October 2, 2021: SAT Day
• October 23, 2021: ACT Day
• November 1: Early Decision program deadline and Early Action program deadline (learn more about early action and early decision)
• November 5, 2021: Registration deadline for December 11 ACT
• November 6, 2021: SAT Day
• November 15: Second Early action program deadline (find out how applying early action can help you show demonstrated interest!)

December - February ⛄

Over the winter, you should  . . . 

• Find local and external scholarships. 🎓
• Send out your mid-year report to your preferred schools. 🗂️
• Sign up to tour schools and meet with alumni. 🚗

Important Dates in the College Process 🗓️

• Dec 1-4: Application deadlines for various universities, including the UC’s
• Dec 4, 2021: SAT Day
• Dec 11, 2021: ACT Day
• Jan 1: Regular admission deadline for most universities
• Jan 7, 2022: Registration deadline for the February 12 ACT
• Jan/Feb: Deadline for schools that require a CSS profile
• Feb 12, 2022: ACT Day
• Feb 25, 2022: Registration Deadline for April 2 ACT

March - July 🌷

You’re almost finished! With college application season closing, you should be focusing on . . .

• Picking your college! 💭🏫
• Picking out a dorm and roommate. ✔️
• Studying for any standardized test (use Fiveable resources to help). 📚

Important Dates in the College Process🗓️

• March 12, 2022: SAT Day
• April: Send any supplemental materials to any colleges that waitlisted you
• April 2, 2022: ACT Day
• May 1: Most schools have their decision deadline
• May 6, 2022: Registration deadline for the June 11 ACT
• May 7, 2022: SAT Day
• June 4, 2022: SAT Day
• June 11, 2022: ACT Day
• June 17, 2022: Registration deadline for July 16 ACT
• June 30: FAFSA deadline
• July 16, 2022: ACT Day

There are a lot of dates involved in the college process, and it's easy to get overwhelmed. Remember to take care of yourself, especially during the long-winded college admissions process and your senior year. Check out this page on how to implement self-care routines and care for your mental health. 

Next, check out our information on applying to college undecided.