College Planning Timeline

click here to download

July 2022

Checklist:

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

June 29/July 6 & 21/28: College Essay Workshops at Thayer
July 16: ACT Test Day
July 29: Registration deadline for August SAT

August 2022

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 or ACT).
• Complete the Senior Questionnaire in SCOIR for your college counselor.

August 1: Common Application launches for this application cycle (commonapp.org)
August 5: Registration deadline for September ACT
August 27: SAT Test Day

September 2022

Checklist:

• Meet with college counselor.
• Try to finalize college list and organize application deadlines.
• 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.
• Work on college applications.
• Register for Oct, Nov, or Dec. standardized tests (SAT, ACT).
• 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 provide them with any necessary paperwork.

September 2: Registration deadline for October SAT
September 10: ACT Test Day
September 15: College Counseling meeting for Grade 12 parents 
September 16: Registration deadline for October ACT

October 2022

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 and give them the necessary paperwork.
• Take SAT or ACT Tests.
• Register for Nov. and/or Dec. standardized tests (SAT or ACT).
• 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. (www.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 1: SAT Test Day
October 7: Registration deadline for November SAT
October 10: Indigenous Peoples' Day. Consider visiting a college campus today.
October 12: No school for seniors. Visit a college campus or work on applications at home or at the application workshop in the Brickyard (10:30-1:30).
October 22: ACT Exam Day

November 2022

Checklist:

• Submit Early Decision / Early Action applications.
• Send SAT/ACT score reports via testing company to colleges requiring them.
• Take SAT
• 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 and 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 10.
• Complete Senior 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 3: Registration deadline for December SAT
November 4: Registration deadline for December ACT
November 5: SAT Test Day
November 11: Veteran’s Day Holiday. Consider visiting a college on this day.

December 2022

Checklist:

• Decisions arrive for Early Decision and some Early Action applicants.
• Take SAT or ACT.
• 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 10.
• 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 3: SAT Test Day
December 9: College applications due over break must be logged in by this date
December 10: ACT Testing Date

January 2023

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 11-26: 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 17: Patriots Day Holiday. Consider visiting a college campus today.

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

June 10: 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 or ACT.