Usually the admission process begins in September of the Junior Year and ends in June of the Senior Year. It is imperative to know deadlines for SATs, ACTs and college applications as well as obtain letters of recommendations, forms and write essays on time. Try to mark your calendar with each school’s deadlines to guarantee your applications are received punctually.
The following calendar is a general guide; it is advisable to obtain information about specific deadlines and requirements of each college (institution websites, admission offices, brochures, etc).
 Junior Year:
* Fall
 Continue to remain involved in extracurricular activities, especially in positions of leadership. These will be very useful for your application.
Begin your college search and make a list of which best fit you.
You must check with your counsellor the number of credit required for the type of school you want to go.
Go to your counsellor’s office and pick up the PSAT’s registration form. With a good practice book you can obtain a great score on the PSAT and obtain a National Merit Scholarship!
* Winter
Stay involved in extracurricular activities like community services.
Try to organize your college information; this will be very useful to locate the precise information quickly.
With the help of your counsellor, decide when to take the ACT, SAT and SAT Subject Tests. At this time, if English is not your mother tongue, you also have to decide when to take the TOEFL exam.
* Spring
Plan your schedule for senior year; talk with your counsellor to determinate which courses you will take. Colleges consider senior year courses and grades so try to pick courses which challenge you.
If you are interested to obtain a scholarship, start your search at this time.
Recommendations are important, and you have to contact your recommendation writers. They could be teachers and guidance counsellors.
Start to schedule campus visits and interviews.
Make summer plans, you can apply for a job or internship.
* Summer
Visit the campuses of your top 5 college choices, take a tour, speak with the admission staff and try to talk to other students. If you have an interview, don’t forget to send a thank-you letter to your interviewer once you are in home.
Begin working on your application essays, prepare drafts and revise them many times. Ask opinions to your teachers of your final essays.
If you want to apply early decision to any school, you should begin working on your application. Time is really important in this kind of application; its deadline will be earlier than others.
Senior Year:
* Fall
Fall is the best time to visit colleges because classes are in session, you will be able to meet professors and talk to them.
Talk to counsellors, teachers and relatives to make your final list of colleges. You can use the information you have collected from visits, interviews and websites.
Continue with your extracurricular activities and stay focused on your classes.
If you are not register for standardized tests (ACT, SAT or SAT Subject Tests) register now!
Don’t forget to keep track for deadlines for admissions, recommendations, financial aid, etc.
Ask for letters of recommendation to the teachers and give them the proper recommendation forms filled with your name, address, address and the school name. Also, give them stamped and addressed envelops so your teachers can send the letters directly.
Meet with your guidance counsellor, he/she will help you to check your admission requirements.
Complete the application forms for your final list of colleges. Take you time to do your best filling your applications; don’t forget to make extra copies before you send them.
* Winter
Verify with your counsellor that all is in order and forms including transcripts, recommendations and test scores have been sent out to colleges.
If you want to apply for financial aid, fill the FAFSA and PROFILE. It is imperative to send these forms after January 1, before this date they can’t be processed.
With the help of your counsellor send your mid-year grade reports and your new honours or accomplishments to the colleges which you applied to.
* Spring
Verify if you have received a FAFSA acknowledgment.
Usually under the regular application process, you should receive acceptance letters by March or April. Congratulations!
It is possible to be in the waiting list that is not so bad. You should receive the final decision by May so keep watching your mail.
Compare financial aid offers. You can request more information to your top colleges if you require more financial aid because this is a key factor to take into account to define your decision.
By May 1 you should make your final college decision, you can make one more campus visit to the colleges you are considering. Once you have chosen, notify all colleges of your intent and make sure to send your deposit to your chosen college.
It is necessary to complete enrolment formalities for the college you will attend like course scheduling, orientation sessions, meal plan and housing.
Congratulations! You are going to start college. Good luck.
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