Huntington's College Admission Calendar for High School Juniors and Seniors

Spring is an important time for high school juniors and seniors planning to go to college – and Huntington has a 15-month college admissions calendar that guides juniors and seniors through the college journey. “Parents and their students have a lot to keep track of, so this checklist is good to keep on hand starting junior year,” says Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center. She encourages parents to share it with their students and mark the calendar for these important college admission milestones:

September-December, Junior Year

• The PSAT/NMSQT (National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) is usually given in October of sophomore and junior year.
• Meet with your guidance counselor or Huntington Learning Center Director to decide which exam, the SAT or the ACT, is better to take.
• Some students take the SAT or ACT in the fall of their junior year, while others wait until spring to test for the first time.
• Take an exam prep course with Huntington (14-hour programs for one subject, 32-hour programs for all subjects, and premier programs available) at least 6-8 weeks prior to your testing date.

 

January-February, Junior Year

• Sign up to take the SAT (March, May, June, August) and/or ACT (April, June, July) in the spring/summer.
• Take an exam prep course with Huntington (14-hour programs for one subject, 32-hour programs for all subjects, and premier programs available) at least 6-8 weeks prior to your testing date.
• Meet with the guidance counselor to stay apprised of all college deadlines and plan courses for senior year, including Advanced Placement (AP) courses, if possible.

 

March, Junior Year

• Start researching scholarships online and through the guidance counseling office.
• Research pre-college programs or classes if interested.
• Keep preparing for the SAT/ACT.

 

April - May, Junior Year

• Keep preparing for the SAT/ACT.
• Prep with Huntington for upcoming Advanced Placement (AP) exams.
• Plan to visit colleges over the summer (or at a minimum, do some college research).
• Contact colleges of interest to learn what preview programs they have for students during the summer before beginning senior year.

 

Summer Before Senior Year

• Take the SAT/ACT again to raise scores.
• Visit and research colleges.
• Research college scholarships and start taking note of requirements and deadlines.
• Start working on admissions and scholarship essays.

 

September, Senior Year

• Pay attention to any early action/early decision deadlines (often as early as mid-October).
• Pay attention to any scholarship application deadlines (often between October and March).
• Request letters of recommendation needed for scholarships and applications.

 

October, Senior Year

• Pay attention to regular college application deadlines (often as early as January 1^st).
• Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on or after October 1^st to apply for federal, state, and college-sponsored financial aid.
• Retake the SAT/ACT one final time in the fall if you are planning to do so.

 

November, Senior Year

• If you are applying regular decision, start assembling everything needed for applications and make sure to request materials from your school with plenty of notice (such as transcripts and letters of recommendation).
• Keep an eye out for the Student Aid Report (SAR), which will come by email or mail.

 

December, Senior Year

• Double-check any college checklists to stay aware of all upcoming deadlines.
• Review all financial aid materials you receive from colleges.

 

January – February, Senior Year

• Finish and submit any final college applications.
• Finish and submit any final scholarship applications.

 

March – April, Senior Year

• Make sure all college application materials are submitted.
• Keep an eye out for acceptance letters and other information.
• Make a pros/cons list of each college and start getting serious about the college decision.

 

May, Senior Year

• Choose a college and notify them of the decision (some might require a decision before May 1, but not all).

 

June, Senior Year

• Celebrate and plan for the future!

 

Huntington reminds parents that if their students need help navigating the college process, they can call Huntington. “We can help students raise their GPAs, understand the college process, prepare for the SAT and ACT, and much more,” she says. Call 1-800 CAN LEARN to discuss your student’s needs and Huntington’s services for college-bound students.