College Application Timeline (What You Need to Know)
Get ready for college with must-know tips for juniors and seniors. From picking your schools to snagging scholarships, this quick guide helps.
You might be thinking, what should I be doing right now if I'm applying to college? You might be a parent worried about keeping your student on track. We'll let you know exactly what we recommend each student does to find success in the college application process.
Junior Year
This is where the majority of students looking to obtain scholarships, need-based aid, and early action decisions need to start. We recommend maximizing your time doing research and getting a clear understanding of what you are looking for in a college.
Build a College List
Use tools like College Search, Google, and your local college resource (RioProgress) to research universities, programs, and school sizes so that you can get the best understanding of what options are out there. Consider what locations you'd like to live.
Take the SAT/ACT
Even if you know the schools you're applying to are test optional, we find that taking the SAT and reporting great scores if you get them will only help your application! Schools rely on those scores to determine whether or not you qualify for special scholarships, merit based aid, and may even consider your score for admission (even if the school is test optional).