As a high-schooler, it can sometimes be difficult to see past the next big exam or extracurricular event. If you’re reading this, though, there’s a good chance you’re already thinking ahead to what lies beyond your high school experience. And if college may be in your future, it’s never too early to start thinking about your college application timeline and preparing for the process.
When it comes to college applications, a well-planned and executed timeline can help you reduce your stress levels while improving your chances of admission to your school of choice.
So, when do you start applying to colleges, and what else do you need to keep in mind throughout the process? Read on to learn more!
When to Start Thinking About College (Junior Year and Earlier)
The first step of the college application process happens long before you start submitting applications and transcripts. Sometime around your junior year (or possibly even earlier), you should begin researching potential schools to develop a list of possibilities based on your academics, location, and areas of interest.
During your junior year, it can also be helpful to begin attending college fairs that may be held at your high school or elsewhere within the community. These fairs are a great opportunity to learn about different schools in one centralized location.
Likewise, taking virtual or in-person tours on college campuses during your junior year can help you get a better feel for what each campus is like and what kinds of resources may be available. The earlier you start thinking about this, the easier it’ll be to narrow down your choices when it’s time to start submitting college applications.
Can you apply to college as a junior, then? Technically, yes, but many students find that it’s better to wait until their senior year, as this allows more time to develop your academic record and extracurriculars.
If you’re eager to get a head start, you might consider dual enrollment or other early college opportunities if they become available during your junior year. Taking some courses while in high school (or exploring high school classes that can count toward college credit) could save you time and money later on. Baker College’s Running Start program allows high school students to earn college credits while completing their diploma, giving them a head start on their college education.
Summer Before Senior Year: Build Your College List and Get Organized
As you complete your junior year and head into your final summer of school before graduation, it’s time to start narrowing down your list of potential schools and thinking about the future. During this critical time, work toward finalizing a balanced list of reach, match, and safety schools:
- Reach schools are those where you may have a lower chance of admission due to low acceptance rates and/or stringent admissions requirements.
- Match schools are those where you have a better (but not guaranteed) chance of being admitted based on qualifications and admissions requirements.
- Safety schools are schools where you exceed the admissions requirements and have a high chance of acceptance.
You might be wondering, “How many colleges should I apply to?”
The answer depends on your unique circumstances as well as the amount of time you’re prepared to commit to the application process. As a general rule, the College Board recommends that high school students apply to anywhere from five to eight different schools — with a solid mix of safety, match, and reach schools.
During the summer before your senior year, it’s also wise to start gathering the materials required when applying to college. This may include:
- Unofficial transcripts
- Test scores (such as ACT and/or SAT scores)
- Recommendation letter requests
- An updated résumé
To stay organized, consider creating a spreadsheet or using a planner to track application deadlines for different schools. While it may be too early to start writing college application essays at this point, you could still get a head start by outlining and brainstorming essay ideas.
Fall of Senior Year: Begin Applying (August-November)
When do college applications open? While this can vary from one school to the next, many colleges formally open their applications in August, or at the end of summer the year before classes start.
As you prepare to begin the application process, it’s essential to understand the differences between early decision, early action, and regular decision in college admissions.
- Early decision refers to an agreement where a student applies to a school and, if accepted, will enroll in the school and withdraw all other college applications.
- Early action is an option in some schools where students can apply ahead of the usual deadline. Unlike early decision, early action is non-binding, so students have no obligation to enroll or withdraw other applications if they are accepted.
- Regular decision refers to the “traditional” college application timeline, where students simply apply by the college application deadlines and await a decision.
College Application Week
Many states also host a College Application Week (or similar state-wide event) to promote college access. These events, typically held during the fall, may provide assistance to high school students who are preparing to apply to school.
Some schools, for example, may waive their application fees during this time. Others may offer specialized workshops to assist students with crafting admissions essays, updating résumés, and completing other aspects of a college application.
How much does it cost to apply to college if application fees aren’t waived? This will vary by school. According to the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority (MEFA), most application fees range from $20 to $100. If you’re applying to a handful of colleges, it’s easy to see how quickly these costs can add up. Aside from applying during College Application Week (when these fees may be waived at some schools), you may also be able to cut down on application costs by exploring waiver options for individual schools. In addition, some schools may waive application fees if you take an in-person tour or meet other criteria, so this might be worth exploring if you’re looking for ways to save money.
In our continuing effort to make a college education more accessible to every learner, Baker College is proud to participate in various community-based outreach programs and application events throughout the year.
Winter: Follow Up and Finish Strong (December-February)
When are college applications due, and when do college applications close? This can also vary, but many colleges have strict deadlines for regular decision admission sometime in January or February. With this in mind, it’s important to stay on top of the specific application deadlines for your schools of choice and submit all required materials (including test scores, recommendation letters, and academic transcripts) by those posted dates.
Around this time, too, it’s crucial to apply for financial aid. The best way to find out whether you qualify for any federal aid is to complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the deadline posted for your school. And because FAFSA opens on October 1st the year prior, there’s no need to wait until the last minute.
The winter of your senior year is also an optimal time to start exploring additional scholarship and grant opportunities. Many schools offer their own funding and financial aid, although it’s never a bad idea to apply for some third-party scholarships and grants as well.
Spring: Decision Time (March-May)
After you’ve submitted your college applications, completed your FAFSA, and explored other funding opportunities, all that’s left to do is wait for decision letters to start arriving. For many schools, decision letters are sent out sometime in March or April.
When you’re accepted into a school, the acceptance letter should include details about any applicable financial aid offers, housing options, and additional program details.
Make your final choice by National Decision Day, which is May 1st. Then, you can formally accept your admission and begin the next exciting steps — such as registering for student orientation, enrolling in classes, and deciding on housing.
Baker College: A Simple, Student-Focused Admissions Process
There is plenty to keep in mind when it comes to narrowing down your list of schools, meeting all application requirements, and making sure you submit your applications by each school’s deadline. From there, it’s a matter of reaching your final decision based on your personal career goals, learning style, and other needs.
Looking for a college that offers a simplified admissions process with as little stress as possible? Our application and admissions process at Baker College is designed with students’ needs in mind. Simply complete your online application (with no fee to apply!) and provide your official transcripts (electronically or via snail mail) to get the ball rolling. While not required, you can also submit your ACT or SAT testing results to see if you qualify for scholarships. Plus, with dozens of degree programs to choose from (including both online and on-campus options), you can find the program that best aligns with your career goals. Get in touch to learn more about all that Baker College has to offer, or kickstart your future by starting your online application now.