When should I start preparing for college admission?

You should start preparing in freshman year of high school. This includes focusing on grades, exploring extracurricular activities, and beginning to think about your interests and potential career paths.

What are the most important college admission deadlines?

Key deadlines include: Early Decision/Early Action (November 1-15), Regular Decision (January 1-15), FAFSA opens (October 1), and CSS Profile deadline (varies by school). Our timeline tracker helps you never miss a deadline.

How many college admission tasks are there?

There are 374+ tasks across all four years of high school, including academic preparation, standardized testing, extracurricular activities, college research, applications, and financial aid.

What is included in the admission timeline?

The timeline includes tasks for: A-G requirements tracking, standardized test prep (SAT/ACT/AP), college research and visits, application essays, letters of recommendation, financial aid (FAFSA/CSS), and scholarship applications.

Analyze National Merit status - Junior Year College Admission

Overview

Your PSAT results are in, and now you can see where you stand for National Merit recognition. Here's how to interpret the numbers!

When Results Are Available

Late December 2025 / early January 2026

Your Selection Index

Find this on your score report: (Reading/Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10

What the Numbers Mean

| Selection Index | Recognition | What Happens | |-----------------|-------------|--------------| | ~208+ | Commended | Certificate recognizing top 50,000 scorers | | ~221+ in CA | Potential Semifinalist | Advance to compete for scholarships |

If You Qualify

Semifinalists announced: September 2026
Application deadline: ~October 2026
Finalists notified: February 2027
Scholarships awarded: April-July 2027

Scholarship Opportunities

$2,500 National Merit Scholarships
Corporate-sponsored scholarships (often larger)
College-sponsored scholarships (some offer full tuition!)

If You Don't Qualify

That's completely okay! National Merit is a nice bonus, not a requirement for college success. Your PSAT score still provides valuable data for SAT preparation. Focus on what you can control going forward!

Overview

Your PSAT results are in, and now you can see where you stand for National Merit recognition. Here's how to interpret the numbers!

When Results Are Available

Late December 2025 / early January 2026

Your Selection Index

Find this on your score report: (Reading/Writing × 2 + Math) ÷ 10

What the Numbers Mean

If You Qualify

Semifinalists announced: September 2026
Application deadline: ~October 2026
Finalists notified: February 2027
Scholarships awarded: April-July 2027

Scholarship Opportunities

$2,500 National Merit Scholarships
Corporate-sponsored scholarships (often larger)
College-sponsored scholarships (some offer full tuition!)

Analyze National Merit status

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

When Results Are Available

Your Selection Index

What the Numbers Mean

If You Qualify

Scholarship Opportunities

If You Don't Qualify

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks

Analyze National Merit status

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

When Results Are Available

Your Selection Index

What the Numbers Mean

If You Qualify

Scholarship Opportunities

If You Don't Qualify

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks