College Application Timeline for Seniors

SUMMER

This is a great time for you to improve your SAT and other study skills through Elite's review programs. In addition, continue your research on colleges. Talk to former students of various colleges, and visit several colleges of your choice. If you are considering out-of-state schools, this may be the perfect time to visit them.

SEPTEMBER

1. Pick up test bulletins for the SAT, SAT Subject Tests and ACT (if necessary). Seniors applying to the University of California must take the SAT and Subject Tests by December.
2. If you have not already done so, write for catalogs, new bulletins, and applications for admission. Some of this material will also be available in your school's Career Center. Register early for all the tests you need to take. Make sure you know the different tests and deadlines required by each college
3. Carefully narrow down your preliminary list of possible colleges. Write to these colleges and request an application, a catalog, and financial aid information. Application forms for the California State University and the University of California will be available from the Guidance office or the Career Center in October.
4. Plan ahead to save the necessary funds for college application expenses such as application fees, test registration fees, financial statement processing fees, etc.
5. Attend "college nights". Check with your Guidance Office for dates, times, and locations.

NOVEMBER, DECEMBER

1. The application period for the University of California and the California State University is November 1 through November 30. Applications MUST be submitted during this month. We strongly recommend that your application be finished and ready to mail by November 1.
2. Complete all applications. Be sure to include all necessary information. Pay special attention to the essays and autobiographies. Proofread your essays carefully. You can't rely on your word-processor's spelling and grammar checkers for this. They do not catch all mistakes. (Indeed, grammar checkers catch relatively few mistakes, and you should never rely on them.) Type everything unless instructed otherwise.
3. Request that your transcripts be sent to the colleges to which you have applied. Be sure to mail your completed application first.Note: Transcripts will not be sent to California State University campuses until after your seventh semester (senior fall) grades have been added.
4. Give forms for letters of recommendation, along with addressed, stamped envelopes, to your teachers as soon as possible.
5. If you have any questions or concerns during the application process, be sure to contact the Elite staff for assistance.

JANUARY, FEBRUARY

1. Grades still count! Colleges consider your senior year grades, so keep up the hard work!
2. Pick up Student Aid Application for California (SAAC) forms from your Guidance Office or Career Center. The SAAC form is used to apply for all Cal Grants. The deadline for these forms is early February.
3. Attend a financial aid workshop.

MARCH, APRIL, MAY

1. Most community colleges begin accepting application in March.
2. Don't get discouraged by the long wait to hear from the colleges you've applied to. Some colleges mail their decisions as early as February, while others don't mail them until April.
3. Students who are admitted to more than one college will have until May to make a final decision. This decision is usually irreversible, so consider your options carefully before you commit.

JUNE

1. Complete all forms for the college you've decided to attend. These forms include health forms, residence applications, etc.
2. You must request an 8th semester (senior spring) transcript before the end of the school year so that your complete record, including your last semester's work and certification of graduation, will be reported to the college you plan to attend. This is required by all universities, colleges, and community colleges.
3. Again, if you have any questions, contact the Elite staff.