The college application process has many steps, so staying on track throughout the process is essential to prevent feeling overwhelmed or losing track of important dates. As students gear up for back-to-school, there are grade-specific tasks to help you prepare for your college application process. Whether it’s the fall, spring, or summer, here are some of the key checklist items to plan for based on your grade level.
Seniors (Class of 2026):
- Meet with college representatives who visit your high school
- Continue to refine your college list — aim for balance across admission categories
- Consider applying test-optional when available or finish standardized testing (SAT, ACT)
- Visit campuses, schedule interviews, and otherwise demonstrate interest in the colleges on your list
- Complete applications and essays, and be aware of deadlines (early, regular, rolling, scholarship)
- Request high school transcripts and recommendations well in advance of your first application deadline
- Send official test scores and supplemental transcripts to colleges (if applicable)
- Apply and submit the FAFSA and CSS profile (if applicable)
- Apply for scholarship opportunities
- Stay focused and keep on track academically – grades still matter!
- Make a college decision by May 1 and submit your deposit, then apply for housing
- Begin to tour colleges
- Take PSAT-NMSQT
- Start your activities sheet to include involvements/accomplishments throughout high school
- Start to explore majors/take career assessment with Campus Bound
- Senior course registration – choose an appropriately rigorous course load
- Register for standardized testing (SAT, ACT)
- Make plans for a productive and rejuvenating summer
- Request teacher recommendations
- Explore financial aid possibilities and outside scholarships
- Start brainstorming ideas for and drafting college essays
- Begin completing the Common Application form
Sophomores (Class of 2028)
- Take PSAT (if available) or the PreACT
- Consider which activities you like the most and find deeper ways to be involved or to take on leadership roles
- Junior course registration – consider new ways to challenge yourself
- Begin researching colleges
- Make some informal college visits to local colleges to build your knowledge base
- Consider taking a career assessment with Campus Bound
- Make plans for a productive and rejuvenating summer
The college admission process is a long-term project requiring many steps. At Campus Bound, we help students through this process every year, BY CHOICE! Learn more about how we can make the process less stressful by pacing it out, breaking it into small pieces, and providing expert advice all along the way.
