College Application Timeline
As an international student who wants to study in the US, you have to start preparing for the college application process as early as you can. You don’t want to rush through the application process in a span of one week, so you better start early.
How early, and how late should I finish?
There is no correct amount of time to spend preparing for your college applications, but it is important to kick off the process as early January. It sounds crazy to start preparing in January, but we’ll see why one should actually do that.
What am I supposed to do at a certain period of the year?
There is no correct amount of time to spend preparing for your college applications, but it is important to kick off the process as early January. It sounds crazy to start preparing in January, but we’ll see why one should actually do that.
To make the whole application process a smooth sail for you, I will break down the available time in months.
January-June
This is the perfect time to research schools in the US, familiarize yourself with the different types of schools, and come up with a list of colleges that you deem fit.
This is also the perfect time to study for your SAT exams, if you intend to take the test, or any other standardized test. It is important to prepare adequately for the SAT exam, and you therefore don’t have to take it as early as March. SATs have seven different test dates, and there is no pressure to take it on the first test date.
During this period, a student could also take part in volunteering exercises and internships to add to their list of extracurricular activities.
Request for school documents such as letters of recommendation and official transcripts during this time. Be sure to have all the documents set by June latest, to avoid situations where you lack school documents when deadlines are nearing.
Brainstorm ideas for your personal statement and put them down on a Google Doc. It is not advisable to directly write your essays on Common App,as they will require lots of editing and reviewing.
Lastly, talk to your parents about financial documents and the family expenditure. That way, they will get enough time to collect the documents and find the correct figures for your household expenses.
July
If you are planning to take the August SAT, this is the last month you have to work on any difficult areas. Use all the available resources to study for the upcoming SAT exam, and revise thoroughly for the same.
Should you want to go for the Early Action round, this is the time to settle on an Early Decision School and/ and Early Action School. If the schools have supplemental essays, read through the prompts, understand them and start putting down ideas for the same.
Keep working on your application: the activities, honors, gap year essay and supplemental essays.
August
The common app is opened during this period. Go through the latest version to familiarize yourself with its components and start filling it out.
Keep working on all your essays and other parts of your application
September
Keep working on your essays and entire application, keeping in mind that the deadlines are nearing.
This is the last chance for those applying for Early Decision to study for the October SAT. If you are intending to take the test in October, then study for it rigorously.
Moreover, be sure to confirm with your teachers that all your school documents are ready, and email your Early Decision school requesting for a CSS profile waiver code, if you intend to apply for financial aid.
Work on your Financial Aid application, ensuring that every detail you fill out in the CSS, IFSAA or any other financial aid application form is accurate.
October
Finish up on your application,and after thoroughly reviewing it, submit it before the deadline.
Submit your Financial Aid application as well, and embark on working on your Early Decision 2 school and Regular Decision Schools
November
Work on all the supplemental essays, and email your Regular Decision Schools Requesting for CSS profile Waiver Codes.
You could also add to your list of schools or remove a school during these period if you make any new discovery
December
Perfect all your supplements, and start submitting your application in late December to Schools with the January 1st deadline.
It is not advisable to submit your application on December 31st, because anything could happen. Systems and even devices crash. So Why don’t you just do it on time? To avoid the stress and panic that comes with the last minute rash.
Be sure to submit your financial aid applications too.
Finally, in early January, Submit your application to schools with the January 15th deadline, and follow suit with your financial aid applications.
After that, keep track of your applicant portal and emails for any new update!