Welcome!

The College and Career Center is a resource for all students and their families to help find internships, jobs, summer opportunities, navigate post-secondary plans, learn more about the college application process, and share information about financing higher education. 

General Timeline for 12th Grade

2025 - 2026

College Application Process

SEPTEMBER 2025

• SAT registration dates (UC’s and CSU’s do not accept test scores)

• September 5: Request letter of recommendations from teachers

• September 15: Complete Counselor Survey for letter of recommendation

• Research + Discovery: Build your college list with a balance of target, likely, and ⅓ reach, brainstorm & draft essays, begin application sections: activities, education, etc;

• Cost of Attendance: use the net calculator with your parents/guardians 

• Develop time management practices for productivity and self-care

• Auditions/Portfolios: continue to prepare and assemble necessary materials

OCTOBER 2025

• October 1: FAFSA opens for everyone

• Finalize list of colleges to which you plan to apply, 8-12

• Teacher Letter of Recommendation requests complete

• Send a thank you note to your teacher recommenders

• For Early round applications: Submit the CSS PROFILE (if applicable). CSS Profile is for Institutional Aid (from colleges that offer scholarships/merit aid). 

• Oct 1 through Dec 1: Cal State and UC Application filing period.

• Fri, Oct 24: Last day for guaranteed counselor edits before Nov 1 app deadline

• Work on essays; write the final draft of UC essays  

• Auditions/Portfolios: Submit 5-7 days before the due date. 

NOVEMBER 2025

• Fri, Nov 1: Early Decision/Action deadline for some colleges and universities

• Fri, Nov 15: FINAL AP Pre-Registration due (AP registration will be accepted until March 4, but will incur an additional $40 late fee per exam)

• Fri, Nov 15: Early Decision/Action deadline for some colleges and universities

• Submit CSS Profile for ED/EA schools.

• Thurs, Nov 30: UC and CSU filing deadline

Thanksgiving Break is November 25-29 - teachers/counselors not available

Auditions/Portfolios: Submit 5-7 days before the due date. 

DECEMBER 2025

• FAFSA: continue or complete

• Fri, Dec 5: Final deadline to add any more colleges to your applying list 

• Do your best as you wrap up final projects, tests and papers for the semester 

• Tues, Dec 16: Last day guaranteed essay edits 

• Begin sending all Regular Decision applications for private colleges and universities.

• Review scholarship opportunities

• Finish private college applications 

WINTER 2026

• Mon, Jan 1: Typical Regular Decision deadline for many colleges 

• Mid-year Reports are automatically sent to colleges from the College Counseling Office. Not all colleges require mid year grades (example: UC and CSU). 

• FINANCIAL AID NIGHT 

• January 1 to February 1: Submit Financial Aid forms for Regular Decision colleges

• Fri, January 17: Deadline for students with College Board accommodations to register for AP Exams

SPRING 2026

• February 1 through April 15: College admission decisions will be sent to you

• Revisit your accepted colleges during spring break

• Sun, May 1: National enrollment deadline for all colleges

• Final transcripts are sent automatically in mid-June once grades are finalized through Parchment. You will create an account

• Keep counselors informed of any waitlist plans or movement on that front. 

• Please leave your personal email address with us before your school email is deactivated so RASOTA students  may contact you with college questions! Remember how helpful this was to you and consider sharing your insights with future classmates. 

• Celebrate! You made it! 👏👏👏