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Early Decision and Early Action Calendar

If you’re planning to apply early decision or early action, follow these steps to stay on track.

Junior Year

January–June

  • Take college admission tests.
  • Visit colleges during spring break, if possible.
  • Use College Search to see if the colleges you’re interested in offer an early admission plan.
  • Keep working hard and staying involved in extracurricular activities.

Senior Year

September–October

  • Download or request early decision or early action applications from your top-choice colleges and begin working on them.
  • Request letters of recommendation from your teachers, your counselor or other references.
  • Complete and submit any early admission applications due in October by the college deadline. Take a college admission test if necessary. For example, you must take the SAT by October for your scores to be available in time for early decision and early action programs.
  • File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens October 1
  • Register for CSS PROFILE, if necessary.
  • Follow up with your references to make sure they have written and sent their letters of recommendation.

November

  • Submit any early decision or early action applications due in November by the college deadline.
  • Follow up with any remaining references to make sure they’ve written and sent their letters of recommendation.
  • Complete and submit regular admission applications. You'll be glad you have a backup plan if you're not accepted through an early admission program.
  • File the CSS Profile and all other required financial aid forms
  • Review all requirements and deadlines for financial aid applications. Get all your documentation ready to send when requested.

December–January

  • If necessary, compare offers. Decide which school to attend.

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