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.

Plan testing calendar - Junior Year College Admission

Overview

Creating a testing plan now helps you approach standardized tests strategically rather than scrambling at the last minute. You've got this!

Recommended Junior Year Testing Timeline

| Month | Test | Purpose | |-------|------|---------| | October 2025 | PSAT/NMSQT | Critical — counts for National Merit! | | December 2025 or March 2026 | First SAT or ACT | Diagnostic to see where you stand | | March 2026 | Primary SAT attempt | Most important SAT date for juniors | | May 2026 | Retake if needed + AP Exams | | | June 2026 | Final attempt if needed | Goal: finish by end of junior year |

SAT vs. ACT: How to Choose

Take a full practice test of EACH under timed conditions, then focus on whichever feels more natural. Many students score meaningfully higher on one test!

Registration Links

SAT: collegeboard.org
ACT: act.org

Helpful Tips

Register 4-6 weeks before test dates to avoid late fees
Fee waivers are available through your counselor if needed
Most schools accept your highest scores, so multiple attempts can help!

Overview

Creating a testing plan now helps you approach standardized tests strategically rather than scrambling at the last minute. You've got this!

Recommended Junior Year Testing Timeline

SAT vs. ACT: How to Choose

Take a full practice test of EACH under timed conditions, then focus on whichever feels more natural. Many students score meaningfully higher on one test!

Registration Links

SAT: collegeboard.org
ACT: act.org

Helpful Tips

Register 4-6 weeks before test dates to avoid late fees
Fee waivers are available through your counselor if needed
Most schools accept your highest scores, so multiple attempts can help!

Plan testing calendar

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

Recommended Junior Year Testing Timeline

SAT vs. ACT: How to Choose

Registration Links

Helpful Tips

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks

Plan testing calendar

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

Recommended Junior Year Testing Timeline

SAT vs. ACT: How to Choose

Registration Links

Helpful Tips

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks