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.

Check demonstrated interest - Junior Year College Admission

Overview

Some colleges factor your engagement into admission decisions. Knowing which schools track this helps you be strategic!

How to Find Out

Google "[School name] demonstrated interest"
Check the school's Common Data Set (Section C7)
Look at the admissions FAQ
Ask directly at info sessions

Schools That Typically Track It

Many private colleges: Tulane, Wake Forest, Boston University, Syracuse, Northeastern, American, Lehigh, Case Western, many liberal arts colleges

Schools That Don't Track It

All Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, UC system, most large state universities

Ways to Demonstrate Interest

Register for mailing lists with your real email
Open and click on college emails
Attend info sessions (virtual or in-person)
Visit campus (sign in!)
Meet with admissions reps
Complete optional interviews
Write detailed, school-specific essays

Reassuring Note

For schools that don't track it, you can still engage authentically - it helps you write better essays and make informed decisions!

Overview

Some colleges factor your engagement into admission decisions. Knowing which schools track this helps you be strategic!

How to Find Out

Google "[School name] demonstrated interest"
Check the school's Common Data Set (Section C7)
Look at the admissions FAQ
Ask directly at info sessions

Schools That Typically Track It

Many private colleges: Tulane, Wake Forest, Boston University, Syracuse, Northeastern, American, Lehigh, Case Western, many liberal arts colleges

Schools That Don't Track It

All Ivy League, Stanford, MIT, Caltech, UC system, most large state universities

Ways to Demonstrate Interest

Register for mailing lists with your real email
Open and click on college emails
Attend info sessions (virtual or in-person)
Visit campus (sign in!)
Meet with admissions reps
Complete optional interviews
Write detailed, school-specific essays

Reassuring Note

For schools that don't track it, you can still engage authentically - it helps you write better essays and make informed decisions!

Check demonstrated interest

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

How to Find Out

Schools That Typically Track It

Schools That Don't Track It

Ways to Demonstrate Interest

Reassuring Note

Helpful Resources

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks

Check demonstrated interest

Step-by-Step Guide

Overview

How to Find Out

Schools That Typically Track It

Schools That Don't Track It

Ways to Demonstrate Interest

Reassuring Note

Helpful Resources

Task Details

Track Your Progress

Related Tasks