college application timeline 2024-2025
Your junior year has come to an end and it is time to start thinking about the college application process as it will be approaching fast. Applying to college is often an overwhelming time for students and their families. There is much work to be done while continuing to juggle schoolwork, extracurricular activities, and other responsibilities through senior year.
We hope to alleviate some of your stress by providing this detailed, monthly timeline as you tackle the coming months.
Manage your time well, plan out your process and keep track of all deadlines. Organization is key and we encourage you to use a platform like excel to map out your plan for the application season.
College Application Monthly Timeline
Terms
- EA: Early Action
- REA: Restrictive Early Action
- ED Early Decision (options are ED1 and ED2)
- SCEA Single Choice Early Action
june/july 2024
Create a resume.
Research scholarships.
Compile a college list.
Register by June 7 for the July 13 ACT test.
July 13, ACT test.
August 2024
August 1: The Common Application opens.
Begin writing your Common Application Personal Statement.
Research each school’s deadlines and requirements.
Register by August 9 for the September 14 ACT test.
Register by August 9 for the August 24 SAT test.
August 24 SAT test.
september 2024
Secure all Letters of Recommendation.
Begin writing your EA/ED/REA supplemental essays.
September 14: ACT test.
Register by September 20 for the October 26 ACT test.
Register by September 20 for the October 5 SAT test
October 2024
Request test scores be sent to ED/EA schools early in the month.
Submit EA/ED apps at least 5 days before deadline (deadlines often around 10/15 or 11/1).
Begin writing RD (Regular Decision) supplemental essays.
October 5 SAT test.
Register by October 18 for the November 2 SAT test.
October 26 ACT test.
If applying to the University of California, begin writing insight questions.
November 2024
- ED Deadline, November 1.
- November 2 SAT test.
- Prepare for ED interviews.
- Work on ED II essays should you not get into your ED I school choice.
june/july 2024
Create a resume.
Research scholarships.
Compile a college list.
Register by June 7 for the July 13 ACT test.
July 13, ACT test.
August 2024
August 1: The Common Application opens.
Begin writing your Common Application Personal Statement.
Research each school’s deadlines and requirements.
Register by August 9 for the September 14 ACT test.
Register by August 9 for the August 24 SAT test.
August 24 SAT test.
september 2024
Secure all Letters of Recommendation.
Begin writing your EA/ED/REA supplemental essays.
September 14: ACT test.
Register by September 20 for the October 26 ACT test.
Register by September 20 for the October 5 SAT test
October 2024
Request test scores be sent to ED/EA schools early in the month.
Submit EA/ED apps at least 5 days before deadline (deadlines often around 10/15 or 11/1).
Begin writing RD (Regular Decision) supplemental essays.
October 5 SAT test.
Register by October 18 for the November 2 SAT test.
October 26 ACT test.
If applying to the University of California, begin writing insight questions.
November 2024
- ED Deadline, November 1.
- November 2 SAT test.
- Prepare for ED interviews.
- Work on ED II essays should you not get into your ED I school choice.
- Register by November 8 for the December 14 ACT test.
- Register by November 22 for the December 7 SAT test.
December 2024
- EA/ED decisions released – mid-December.
- University of California Application Deadline
- If admitted to ED school, withdraw applications from all other schools.
- If deferred, work on a Letter of Continued Interest.
- If deferred or denied, work on ED II school.
- December 7 SAT test.
- Submit all RD applications by December 10.
- Request test scores be sent to RD schools.
- December 14 ACT test.
- ED II Deadline, December 15.
January 2025
- RD Deadline, January 1
- Prepare for RD interviews.
- Register by January 3 for the February 8 ACT test.
February 2025
- Make sure your counselor sends mid-year reports to all RD schools that require them.
- February 8 ACT test.
- ED II decisions released mid-month.
- If admitted to ED school, withdraw applications from all other schools.
- If deferred, work on deferral Letter of Intent, showing continued interest and commitment.
- Register by February 21 for the March 8 SAT test.
March 2025
- March 8 SAT test.
- RD decisions released.
- If waitlisted, write waitlisted letter.
November 2024 (Cont.)
- Register by November 8 for the December 14 ACT test.
Register by November 22 for the December 7 SAT test.
December 2024
EA/ED decisions released – mid-December.
University of California Application Deadline
If admitted to ED school, withdraw applications from all other schools.
If deferred, work on a Letter of Continued Interest.
If deferred or denied, work on ED II school.
December 7 SAT test.
Submit all RD applications by December 10.
Request test scores be sent to RD schools.
December 14 ACT test.
ED II Deadline, December 15.
january 2025
RD Deadline, January 1
Prepare for RD interviews.
Register by January 3 for the February 8 ACT test.
february 2025
Make sure your counselor sends mid-year reports to all RD schools that require them.
February 8 ACT test.
ED II decisions released mid-month.
If admitted to ED school, withdraw applications from all other schools.
If deferred, work on deferral Letter of Intent, showing continued interest and commitment.
Register by February 21 for the March 8 SAT test.
March 2025
March 8 SAT test.
RD decisions released.
If waitlisted, write waitlisted letter.
May 1st- National College Decision Day. Finalize your school decision if you have not already.
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