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.

Deep dive research - Junior Year College Admission

Overview

It's time to go beyond surface-level research. Specific details about each school will strengthen your essays and help you make better decisions!

For Each Top School, Research:

Academics

Faculty doing interesting work
Unique courses in your areas of interest
Undergraduate research opportunities
Study abroad programs
Special majors or programs

Student Life

Dorm options and housing culture
Dining quality
Clubs and organizations
Campus traditions
Social scene

Outcomes

Career center services
Alumni network
Job and grad school placement
Internship programs

Practical Details

Location and surroundings
Weather
Distance from home
Cost (run net price calculator)

Research Sources

Official school website (departments, student life)
Student newspaper
Reddit: r/ApplyingToCollege, school-specific subreddits
YouTube student vlogs
Virtual info sessions
Current students in your network

Take Good Notes!

Document specific names, programs, and opportunities — you'll use these in "Why Us" essays.

Overview

It's time to go beyond surface-level research. Specific details about each school will strengthen your essays and help you make better decisions!

For Each Top School, Research:

Academics

Faculty doing interesting work
Unique courses in your areas of interest
Undergraduate research opportunities
Study abroad programs
Special majors or programs

Student Life

Dorm options and housing culture
Dining quality
Clubs and organizations
Campus traditions
Social scene

Outcomes

Career center services
Alumni network
Job and grad school placement
Internship programs

Practical Details

Location and surroundings
Weather
Distance from home
Cost (run net price calculator)

Research Sources

Official school website (departments, student life)
Student newspaper
Reddit: r/ApplyingToCollege, school-specific subreddits
YouTube student vlogs
Virtual info sessions
Current students in your network

Take Good Notes!

Document specific names, programs, and opportunities — you'll use these in "Why Us" essays.

Deep dive research

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

For Each Top School, Research:

Academics

Student Life

Outcomes

Practical Details

Research Sources

Take Good Notes!

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks

Deep dive research

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

For Each Top School, Research:

Academics

Student Life

Outcomes

Practical Details

Research Sources

Take Good Notes!

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks