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.

Narrow college list - Junior Year College Admission

Overview

It's time to refine your list from "exploring" to "seriously considering." This helps you focus your research and essay efforts!

Narrowing Strategies

Check Affordability

Run each school's net price calculator. If a school is clearly unaffordable and you're not a strong candidate for merit aid, consider removing it.

Evaluate Program Fit

Does the school offer your intended major? Do they have strong outcomes in that field? If you're undecided, do they offer flexibility to explore?

Assess Realistic Chances

Use Naviance/Scoir scattergrams. Remove schools where you're far below the admitted range unless they're important reaches.

Test Genuine Interest

Can you write a compelling "Why Us" essay for this school? If you can't articulate specific reasons, it might not belong on your list.

Final List Balance

2-3 Safety schools you'd genuinely love to attend
4-6 Target schools where you have a realistic chance
4-6 Reach schools worth pursuing

Sweet Spot

10-15 schools total — enough options without overwhelming yourself during application season.

Overview

It's time to refine your list from "exploring" to "seriously considering." This helps you focus your research and essay efforts!

Narrowing Strategies

Check Affordability

Run each school's net price calculator. If a school is clearly unaffordable and you're not a strong candidate for merit aid, consider removing it.

Evaluate Program Fit

Does the school offer your intended major? Do they have strong outcomes in that field? If you're undecided, do they offer flexibility to explore?

Assess Realistic Chances

Use Naviance/Scoir scattergrams. Remove schools where you're far below the admitted range unless they're important reaches.

Test Genuine Interest

Can you write a compelling "Why Us" essay for this school? If you can't articulate specific reasons, it might not belong on your list.

Final List Balance

2-3 Safety schools you'd genuinely love to attend
4-6 Target schools where you have a realistic chance
4-6 Reach schools worth pursuing

Sweet Spot

10-15 schools total — enough options without overwhelming yourself during application season.

Narrow college list

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

Narrowing Strategies

Check Affordability

Evaluate Program Fit

Assess Realistic Chances

Test Genuine Interest

Final List Balance

Sweet Spot

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks

Narrow college list

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

Narrowing Strategies

Check Affordability

Evaluate Program Fit

Assess Realistic Chances

Test Genuine Interest

Final List Balance

Sweet Spot

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks