Senior Year -  December to February

Take SAT Subject Tests for courses ending in the fall—SAT Subject Tests, which are required for some colleges, are best taken immediately after you’ve taken the relevant class and while the material is still fresh.

Review and assess response for early applications—Most applications submitted through early programs will receive a decision by December. If you submit your financial aid forms on time, you should receive an estimated financial aid package as well.

Submit early decision deposit —If you’ve decided to apply early decision and the school’s financial aid package meets your need, enrollment deposits are often due in winter of your senior year. Request a fee waiver from the school if the deposit is not feasible.

Submit regular decision applications —Most colleges have regular decision due dates sometime between January 1 and March 1 of each year.

Confirm OFFICIAL SAT and ACT score reports are sent to regular decision schools – In addition to your application forms, letters of recommendation, essays, and other requested materials, your regular decision application will require you to go to the College Board (SAT) and ACT Student (ACT) websites to send colleges your official test score reports.

Interview! – Interviews for some regular decision schools happen in the winter, do your research stay relaxed and ask questions!

Complete and Submit FAFSA Forms – FAFSA, the main determinant of federal financial aid, can be submitted after October 1 of your senior year. Submit ASAP, as some schools give aid on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Complete and Submit the CSS PROFILE or other school-based aid forms—Certain schools require the CSS PROFILE in addition to FAFSA to determine financial aid. Submit ASAP, as schools often give aid on a first-come, first-serve basis. More information about the FAFSA can be found on BigFuture.