Senior year is short and deadline-driven. A clear month-by-month timeline keeps you from scrambling in October and lets you give every application component the time it deserves. Here's exactly what to tackle each month.
August: Summer Push
August is your most productive writing month — school hasn't started yet and you have uninterrupted time. Use it.
- Draft your Common App personal statement (650 words); aim for a complete first draft before school begins
- Email your 2–3 recommendation writers with a formal request, your resume, and a deadline reminder
- Finalize your college list: reach, target, and likely schools balanced across deadlines and fit
- If you plan to test again in August (SAT/ACT), confirm registration and continue prep
September: Finalize Your List and Start EA/ED Prep
- Lock your college list — no more additions after September 15
- Open Common App school-specific supplements for EA/ED targets and begin drafting
- Confirm recommendation writers are on track; share any school-specific details they need
- Create application portal accounts for every school on your list
- October test date: last chance to sit before EA/ED deadlines — confirm your registration
October: EA/ED Submissions
Most Early Action and Early Decision I deadlines fall November 1–15, which means your final review window is October.
- Proofread every EA/ED essay — read aloud, then have a trusted reader review
- Submit EA/ED applications by October 28–31 to allow buffer before the deadline
- Confirm test scores are sent to EA/ED schools; check reporting deadlines in each portal
- Begin drafting Regular Decision supplements while EA/ED applications are fresh
November: ED Decision and RD Finalization
- ED I decisions typically arrive in mid-December — continue working on RD applications regardless
- Finalize all Regular Decision essays and supplements by end of November
- File FAFSA as early as possible (priority deadlines vary; many are December–February)
- Submit CSS Profile for schools that require it alongside FAFSA
December: Regular Decision Submission
- Submit all Regular Decision applications by December 20 — before the holiday break disrupts your focus
- January 1 and January 15 RD deadlines are the most common; do not wait until the day-of
- ED I decisions arrive: if admitted, withdraw all other applications promptly per binding agreement
- Save confirmation emails for every application submitted
January–March: Decisions Roll In
- EA decisions typically arrive December–January; review financial aid award letters carefully
- RD decisions arrive February–April; most schools notify by April 1
- Compare financial aid offers using a side-by-side award letter breakdown
- Appeal financial aid decisions before the stated deadline if your offer is lower than expected
- Enrollment deposit deadline is typically May 1 — commit to one school and withdraw from all others