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The Admission Process: A Basic Timeline

Advice for every year

  • Choose the highest level of challenge in your coursework that you can handle, but not so much that you are overwhelmed or unable to perform to the top of your ability
  • Discover, develop and deepen your interests and activities—pursue a few that you really care about in depth, rather than a lot superficially

9th grade

  • Make a strong transition to high school: engage fully in your courses and seek out interests and activities that really matter to you.  This is the time to begin discovering and doing what you love!
  • Approach year-end Subject Tests (formerly called SAT II's) with caution at this early stage

10th grade

  • Continue to engage fully in your courses, interests and activities
  • October—many students take the PSAT and/or PLAN for the first time, purely for practice
  • Subject tests in June may be appropriate for some classes that will end this year
  • Plan challenging but reasonable courses for junior year

11th grade

    Fall
  • While all of your high school work matters, the junior year will get the closest scrutiny from college admission officers—stay focused on your coursework!
  • Take the PSAT and/or PLAN in October (the PSAT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarships)
  • Begin to establish a relationship with your school's college counselor in preparation for your search and application process
  • Begin to attend college visits at your school and college fairs in your area
    Spring
  • Work closely with your college counselor on beginning to identify schools that match your interests and credentials
  • Consider meeting with an ACAP counselor
  • Attend college visits at your school and college fairs in your area
  • Consider some carefully selected college visits
  • Testing:  we recommend that most students take the ACT in February and/or SAT in March/April. Subject tests can be taken in May and/or June. AP tests occur in May for appropriate classes. Do not send your scores to colleges at this time
  • Plan challenging but reasonable courses for senior year
    Summer
  • Work, volunteer, attend programs—it doesn’t so much matter what you do, but rather how you do it, and how it fits into the bigger picture of who you are
  • Continue to investigate and visit colleges, and begin to fine-tune your college list; consider seeking interviews at your top choice schools
  • Consider drafting an open topic essay

12th grade

    Fall
  • Continue to work with your college counselor, attend school visits, and visit/interview at selected schools; if you haven't already met with us, consider incorporating a meeting with an ACAP counselor into your travel plans
  • Request letters of recommendation from your teachers—ask early!
  • Finalize your list and decide whether you are applying early action or early decision anywhere
  • Begin to download and complete applications—pay attention to deadlines! Don't forget to include financial aid forms and scholarship research in your time-planning
  • Finalize your college essays with the help of a teacher, counselor, parent, etc.
  • Testing:  if necessary, retake SATs and/or ACTs as well as any remaining Subject Tests required by your colleges
  • Complete all applications

    Spring
  • Continue to do your best in your classes; push for a strong ending to your senior year
  • Keep in touch with an ACAP counselor if you need help during the decision process
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