Dr. Raymond J. Huntington, co-founder of Huntington Learning Center and an expert in ACT and SAT test preparation, offers the following calendar to keep parents and students on a steady course to college admissions.
October
Sophomores, juniors and seniors should attend college fairs
Seniors should ensure they have character recommendations lined up
Seniors who are applying for early decision should apply now
Seniors who haven’t taken the SAT Reasoning and/or Subject Tests or the ACT should sign up to take them in December
November
All students in need of financial aid should be searching for grants, scholarships and work-study programs
December
Sophomores and juniors should receive the results of the PLAN and the PSAT
Students planning to take the ACT in February should register now
Seniors should send official test scores to the colleges and universities they are considering
January February
Complete the FAFSA
Continue investigating colleges
Juniors who have completed the math courses covered on the SAT Reasoning Test should register to take the test in April
Students who have completed the FAFSA may receive a Student Aid Report in February. Review this carefully and correct any errors.
March April
Sophomores should register for the June SAT Subject Tests
Juniors should register for the May or June SAT Reasoning Test and/or the May/June SAT Subject Tests
Seniors should review college acceptances and financial aid awards
Seniors should inform the college of their choice of their decision
May June
Sophomores should be thinking about summertime activities that will build skills suited to the academic track or career they’re considering
Juniors should look at activities to strengthen their academic records
Seniors should decide by May 1 which college they want to attend
Seniors should affirm when payments for tuition, room and board are due
July August
Consider visiting colleges for a good view of campus life
September
Sophomores and juniors should register to take the PSAT or the PLAN
Seniors who have not taken the SAT or Act or those who want to re-test should sign up for the SAT in October and November and the ACT in September or October
Seniors should ensure they have all of the applications for colleges they’re targeting and the necessary financial aid forms
Sophomores, juniors and seniors who are concerned about their test-taking skills should register for a test preparation course
See our full article about how to save for college and apply for financial aid.