College Admission Timeline
Timeline
The college admissions process is a multi-year journey, and at Forbes College Consulting, we guide students through the critical steps to ensure a smooth and strategic experience. This timeline offers a glimpse into the guidance we provide, outlining key milestones from freshman year through senior spring to help students navigate their academic and extracurricular choices, college research, and application process with confidence.
Freshman/Sophomore Years
- Explore academic interests during the school year and the summer
- Try a range of activities to learn about what interests you
- Commit to 2-3 activities through high school; show leadership/initiative
- Give back in a meaningful way in or out of school; focus on 1 cause (if possible)
- Advocate for yourself; get to know teachers, coaches and staff
- Read for pleasure and across multiple genres
Junior Year – Fall/Winter
- Develop personal criteria to identify and evaluate schools
- Strategize Early Action/Early Decision plan (fall)
- Get on college mailing lists/social media to learn more about schools
- Tour colleges when school is in session (use breaks and Saturdays!)
- Decide if and which testing is best (ACT v. SAT) and register for test dates
- Determine style and scheduling of test preparation
- Identify themes for extracurriculars and what you want them to reveal about you
Junior Year – Spring
- Visit as many colleges as you can before May 1
- Register for Forbes Summer Workshops
- Revise college list based on visit intel
- Research curriculum and majors in depth – utilize our “Digging Deeper” handout
- Prepare for and complete SAT or ACT
- Plan your summer – Take a class? Volunteer? Work? Deepen an interest?
Junior Year – Summer
- Finalize college list as much as possible
- Plan interview schedule for colleges that offer them
- Identify supplemental essay requirements and any overlap in prompts
- Consider merit aid/honors programs and deadlines
- Attend our day-long essay and application workshops
- Complete Common Application including all required essays
- Identify 2-3 recommenders: teachers, coaches, extracurricular contacts
Senior Year – Fall/Winter
- Update Score/Maia/Naviance (or equivalent) account
- Strategize Early Action/Early Decision plan
- Request recommendation letters well ahead of deadlines
- Complete all supplemental work including essays and honors/merit applications
- Revisit colleges and meet with a professor/coach/students
- Submit all applications 1 week in advance of deadlines
- Thank those who helped you and take some deep breaths!
Senior Year – Spring
- Check portals frequently for critical admission updates
- Weigh admissions offers
- Revisit potential colleges – attend open house/admitted student events
- Submit your admission deposit (only one!) by the required deadline
- Enjoy the final months of high school!
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