COLLEGE APPLICATION TIMELINE

CLASS OF 2027

WINTER/SPRING OF JUNIOR YEAR

• Attend the 11th Grade College Planning Presentation

• Meet with your School Counselor for a Postsecondary Planning Meeting

• Begin researching colleges, majors, and career interests

• Create or update your resume/activity sheet

• Visit colleges virtually or in person

• Start building your college list (SUNY, CUNY, private colleges, trade programs, etc.)

• Create a Over Grad account and begin adding colleges to your profile. 

• Ask teachers before summer if they are willing to write recommendation letters

• Complete Parent & Student Brag Sheets before leaving for summer

SUMMER BEFORE SENIOR YEAR

• Begin your SUNY Application and/or CUNY Application using a personal email address (NOT your school email)

• Start drafting and revising your college essay/personal statement

• Continue visiting colleges and attending virtual information sessions

• Research additional application requirements (supplements, portfolios, auditions, etc.)

• Create a list of ALL application deadlines:

  • Early Action (EA)

  • Early Decision (ED)

  • Regular Decision (RD)

  • Rolling Admissions

• Begin gathering documents needed for financial aid applications

FALL OF SENIOR YEAR

• Attend Senior College & Financial Aid Presentations

• Schedule your Senior Postsecondary Planning Meeting with your Counselor

• Finalize and update your college list in Naviance

• Add teachers in Naviance for recommendation letters

• Review your transcript carefully with your counselor

• Request transcripts and supporting documents to be sent

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

OCTOBER – NOVEMBER

• Submit Early Action/Early Decision applications

• Many SUNY and competitive college priority deadlines fall between October 15 – November 15

• Begin applying for financial aid:

  • FAFSA

  • NYS TAP

  • NYS DREAM Act (for eligible undocumented students)

  • CSS Profile (only required by some private colleges)

• Continue checking your email DAILY for college portal access and missing documents

• Meet with your counselor regularly to review application progress

WINTER OF SENIOR YEAR (DECEMBER – MARCH)

• Submit Regular Decision applications (many deadlines are January 1 – February 1)

• Monitor college portals weekly

• Review financial aid packages with your family and counselor

• Counseling Office sends Mid-Year Reports in February

• Apply for scholarships throughout the winter and spring

• Check for CUNY/SUNY opportunity programs such as:

  • SEEK

  • EOP

  • ASAP

SPRING OF SENIOR YEAR

• Compare financial aid awards and college options

• Submit enrollment deposit by May 1 (College Decision Day)

• Update your counselor with your final college decision

• Complete housing, orientation, and placement testing requirements if applicable

• Continue passing ALL classes and maintain graduation eligibility

• Complete any remaining graduation requirements

• Celebrate your accomplishments!

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Check your email every day

• Keep passwords and login information organized

• Meet all deadlines EARLY whenever possible

• Ask for help when needed — your counselor is here to support you

• Colleges can rescind admissions offers for failing grades, poor attendance, or disciplinary issues