Timeline for the College Application Process
Note: This is an optimal schedule for Junior to Senior Year which follows our Season Pass which can be expanded or compressed!
Hover over each month for details
🍂 Junior Year — Fall & Winter
November
Stage 1: Establish Milestones
Parent(s) & Student
Begin your journey with planning meetings and establishing your roadmap.
- Hold scheduling and planning meetings
- Set a baseline monthly meeting rhythm
- Review the year-ahead roadmap
- Sign coaching agreement
- Activate client portal access
December
Stage 2: Kick-off Family Meeting
Parent(s) & Student
Meet your coach and align on academics, testing, and activities.
- Meet your dedicated coach
- Review student and parent questionnaires
- Discuss current academics and GPA
- Outline testing approach (SAT/ACT)
- Review extracurricular activities
- Brainstorm first ideas for summer plans
January
Stage 3: Draft College List
Head Coach (Behind the Scenes)
Your coach builds an initial list of 15-25 potential colleges.
- Analyze questionnaire responses
- Review kick-off meeting notes
- Research matching colleges (15-25 schools)
- Consider academic fit and student interests
- Balance reach, target, and likely options
February – March
Junior Check-ins & Course Planning
Parent(s) & Student
Refine college list and plan senior year course schedule.
- Review and refine developing college list
- Monitor grades and academic progress
- Refine standardized testing plan
- Evaluate extracurricular involvement
- Continue developing summer ideas
- Plan senior schedule for rigor and balance
- Align courses with goals and potential majors
- Verify NCAA/program prerequisites if applicable
🌸 Junior Spring — Early Summer
April
Research & Recommendations
Parent(s) & Student
Deep dive into college research and secure recommendation letters.
- Continue monthly check-in meetings
- Student researches schools from draft list
- Evaluate academics and campus culture
- Review athletics and support services
- Discuss letters of recommendation strategy
- Identify teachers to approach for letters
- Complete Parent Brag Sheet
- Complete Student Academic Brag Sheet
May
Testing & Summer Prep
Parent(s) & Student
Confirm testing schedule and finalize summer plans.
- Confirm late-spring/early-summer testing plan
- Register for SAT/ACT dates
- Finalize summer work opportunities
- Confirm summer programs or activities
- Plan college campus visits
- Coordinate athletic outreach (if applicable)
June
Stage 4: "Huddle Up" — College List Review
Parent(s) & Student
Review and refine the complete college list with your coach.
- Revisit counselor-built college list
- Discuss each school's fit and appeal
- Clarify likely/target/reach categories
- Set campus visit priorities
- Determine approximate total applications
☀️ Rising Senior Summer
June – July
Stage 5: Financial Planning
Parent(s) & Student
Understand financial aid options and refine list within budget.
- Learn key points about FAFSA
- Understand CSS Profile requirements
- Explore merit aid opportunities
- Refine college list within financial parameters
- Set realistic budget expectations
Summer
Common App Essay Development
Student Only
Craft your personal statement through dedicated coaching sessions.
- Meeting 1: Brainstorm essay topics and angles
- Meeting 2: Develop rough "talking" draft
- Meeting 3: Final revision and polish
- Complete all Common App sections (2 meetings)
- Fill out biographical information
- Craft activities list descriptions
August
Stage 6: Game Plan (1st Half)
Parent(s) & Student
Map out your ED/EA/REA/RD strategy and application timeline.
- Map out ED/EA/REA/RD options
- Develop overall application strategy
- Identify supplemental essay workload
- Note early and priority scholarship deadlines
- Create master application calendar
August – December
Tactical Essay & Application Support
Student (with Specialists)
Intensive support for resume, interviews, and school-specific essays.
- Resume Development: 1 meeting with career expert
- Interview Practice: 1 dedicated coaching session
- Supplemental Essays: 3 meetings for school-specific essays
- Align essays with application strategy
- Highlight unique strengths for each school
🍁 Senior Fall
September
Tactical Application Phase
Parent(s) & Student
Continue application work and make final list adjustments.
- Continue tactical essay and application meetings
- Make final list tweaks as needed
- Add or drop schools based on new information
- Respond to early application results
- Stay on track with deadlines
October
Stage 7: Game Plan (2nd Half)
Parent(s) & Student
Finalize ED/EA/REA/RD choices and confirm all deadlines.
- Review progress 2-3 months after initial strategy
- Finalize ED/EA/REA/RD choices
- Confirm all application deadlines
- Verify Nov 1, Nov 15, Dec 1 submissions
- Ensure all materials are ready
November – Early December
Stage 8: "1st and Goal" — Final Review
Parent(s) & Student
Final confirmation and last review before early deadlines.
- Confirm final college list and strategy
- Complete last review of all applications
- Polish essays one final time
- Verify supplement schedule
- Submit early and priority deadline applications
❄️ Senior Winter – Spring
December – March
Stage 9: Results & Next Steps
Parent(s) & Student
Review decisions as they arrive and plan next moves.
- Review admission decisions as they arrive
- Analyze merit aid offers
- Develop waitlist strategy if needed
- Consider any appropriate late applications
- Compare financial aid packages
April – May
Stage 10: "Victory Formation"
Parent(s) & Student
Celebrate your success and prepare for the college transition!
- Make final college choice
- Submit enrollment deposit
- Get guidance on first-year course selection
- Plan transition to college life
- Discuss healthy parent-student communication
- Explore early career direction ideas
- Learn how to make the most of freshman year
