College Planning Timeline

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July 2020

Checklist:

• Research colleges on your list and keep SCOIR updated regarding preferences.
• Draft your main college essay.
• Register for Aug, Sept, Oct. or Nov. standardized tests.

July 18: ACT Test Day
July 31: Registration deadline for August SAT

August 2020

Checklist:

• Visit college campuses if possible.
• Draft your main college essay.
• Begin work on the Common Application and supplemental essay writing.
• Register for Sept, Oct, Nov, or Dec. standardized tests (SAT, ACT, or Subject Tests).

August 1: Common Application is available starting on this day (commonapp.org)
August 1: College essay draft due to your college counselor via email
August 14: Registration deadline for September ACT
August 26: Registration deadline for September SAT
August 29: SAT /SAT Subject Test Day

September 2020

Checklist:

• Meet with college counselor.
• Decide on Early Decision or Early Action applications.
• Try to finalize college list and organize application deadlines.
• Work on college applications.
• Register for Oct., Nov., or Dec. standardized tests (SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests).
• Attend college representative visits at Thayer. Register in advance in SCOIR.
• Complete the Senior Questionnaire in SCOIR for your college counselor.
• Arrange for Parent Response Form to be completed & returned to college counselor.
• Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation at least one month prior to application deadline. Add them to your SCOIR account and/or provide them with the necessary paperwork.

September 4: Registration deadline for October SAT/ SAT Subject Tests
September 12: ACT Test Day
September 15: College Counseling meeting for Grade 12 parents via Zoom
September 23: SAT at Thayer
September 29: SAT Test Day

October 2020

Checklist:

• Work on college applications.
• In SCOIR, move colleges you plan to apply early to over to the "Applying" column (due 2 weeks before app. deadline). Complete FERPA waiver on Common App.
• Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation one month prior to application deadline. Add them to your SCOIR account or give them the necessary paperwork.
• Take SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests.
• Register for Nov. and/or Dec. standardized tests (SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests).
• Send SAT/ACT score reports via testing company to colleges requiring them.
• Attend college representative visits at Thayer. Register in advance on SCOIR.
• Prepare financial aid documents for any early applications if needed (fafsa.ed.gov and www.profileonline.collegeboard.com)
• Complete Senior Questionnaire in SCOIR for your college counselor.
• Arrange for Parent Response form to be completed & returned to college counselor.

October 1: Financial Aid applicants can fill out FAFSA and CSS/Profile starting today. (fafsa.ed.gov and css.collegeboard.org)
October 3: SAT / SAT Subject Test Day
October 6: ACT at Thayer
October 7: Registration deadline for November SAT / SAT Subject Tests
October 12: Columbus Day Holiday. Consider visiting a college campus today.
October 14: SAT at Thayer
October 24: ACT Exam Day

November 2020

Checklist:

• Submit Early Decision / Early Action applications.
• Send SAT/ACT score reports via testing company to colleges requiring them.
• Take SAT or SAT Subject Tests.
• Attend college representative visits at Thayer. Register in advance on SCOIR.
• Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation one month prior to application deadline. Add them to your SCOIR account or get them the necessary paperwork.
• In SCOIR, move colleges you plan to apply early to over to the "Applying" column (due 2 weeks before app. deadline). Complete FERPA waiver on Common App. For deadlines over winter break, forms must be logged in by December 11.
• Complete Student Questionnaire in SCOIR for your college counselor.
• Arrange for Parent Response form to be completed & returned to college counselor.
• Prepare financial aid documents if needed (fafsa.ed.gov and profileonline.collegeboard.com)

November 5: Registration deadline for Dec. SAT/ SAT Subject Tests
November 6: Registration deadline for December ACT
November 7: SAT / SAT Subject Test Day
November 11: Veteran’s Day Holiday. Consider visiting a college on this day.

December 2020

Checklist:

• Decisions arrive for Early Decision and some Early Action applicants.
• Take SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests.
• Complete all applications.
• Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation one month prior to application deadline. Add them to your SCOIR account or give them the necessary paperwork. For deadlines over winter break, forms must be logged in by December 11.
• In SCOIR, move colleges you plan to apply to over to the "Applying" column (due 2 weeks before app. deadline). Complete FERPA waiver on Common App.
• Send SAT/ACT score reports via testing company to colleges requiring them.
• Prepare financial aid documents if needed (fafsa.ed.gov and profileonline.collegeboard.com)

December 5: SAT Reasoning/SAT Subject Test Day
December 11: College applications due over break must be logged in by this date
December 12: ACT Testing Date

January 2021

Checklist:

• Submit remaining applications.
• In SCOIR, move colleges you plan to apply to over to the "Applying" column (due 2 weeks before app. deadline). Complete FERPA waiver on Common App.
• Send SAT/ACT score reports to any remaining colleges requiring them.
• Submit financial aid forms. Complete the FAFSA online at fafsa.ed.gov; complete the CSS/PROFILE, if required by colleges on your list, at profileonline.collegeboard.com.
• Respond to an Early Decision acceptance if applicable.
• Contact colleges (via internet or phone) to make sure your applications are complete and that online applications have been received.

Checklist:

• Provide additional information to colleges as requested.
• Receive admission decisions and communicate them to your college counselor.
• Wait patiently and think about options.
• Visit colleges as necessary.
• Contact financial aid offices to make sure all necessary forms are received.

March 13-28: Spring Break. Visit colleges if necessary.

Checklist:

• Receive admission decisions and communicate with your college counselor.
• Think through options.
• Visit colleges if necessary.
• Make final decision.

April 19: Patriots Day Holiday. Consider visiting a college campus today.

May 1: Acceptance / deposit due at the college of your choice.

June 12: Thayer Commencement. Congratulations!

Notes:

1. Many of the dates above represent the deadline (last possible date). Plan ahead and act early!
2. It is the responsibility of the student to understand the test requirements of the colleges to which they are applying.
3. Thayer is not a testing site for the SAT, SAT Subject Test, or ACT.