The PSAT is usually given in the fall, AP exams in May, and the SAT and ACT several times a year. College applications run from fall of senior year into winter, the FAFSA opens by October 1 (sometimes earlier), and most final decisions are due in spring. Below, junior and senior year are laid out season by season with the guide for each step.
How to use this hub
Find your student’s current season and read one season ahead. Exact test dates, application deadlines and aid deadlines change each year and differ by college and state, so confirm them with the school counselor, each college’s admissions page and studentaid.gov.
Junior year, fall (September to November)
- The PSAT Explained: the PSAT is usually in October; junior year is the year that counts for scholarship recognition
- Should My Teen Drop an AP Class?: decide early if a course load is too heavy
- SAT vs ACT: choose one test to focus on
- Test-Optional Admissions: how test-optional policies affect the testing plan
Junior year, winter (December to February)
- When to Take the SAT or ACT: plan a first test date and a possible retake
- How to Choose High School Classes Each Year: choose senior year classes with the counselor
- College Visits: start visits, in person or online
Junior year, spring (March to May)
- How to Prepare for AP Exams: AP exams fall in the first weeks of May
- How to Ask Teachers for College Recommendation Letters: ask two teachers before the school year ends
- How to Build a Balanced College List: draft reach, target and likely schools
Summer before senior year (June to August)
- The Summer Before Senior Year: essays, visits and a plan for the fall
- AP Scores Explained: AP scores usually arrive in July
- Senior Will Not Start College Essays?: what to do when the essay will not start
Senior year, fall (September to November)
- FAFSA Timeline: the FAFSA opens by October 1, sometimes earlier; file early
- Early Decision vs Early Action vs Regular Decision Explained: early deadlines are often in November
- Senior Year of High School: the full month-by-month senior plan
Senior year, winter (December to February)
- Deferred or Waitlisted by a College: early decisions often arrive in December; what to do if deferred
- Senioritis: regular deadlines are often in January; after that, the risk is coasting
- Can a College Acceptance Be Rescinded?: why senior grades still matter
Senior year, spring (March to May)
- How to Compare Financial Aid Offers: read award letters side by side
- Choosing a College After Acceptances: many colleges ask for a decision by May 1
- Helping Your Teen Through College Rejections: what to say and do when a no arrives
Summer after graduation (June to August)
- Summer Melt: keep the orientation, housing and aid tasks moving
- How to Defer College Admission for a Gap Year: how to request a deferral
- College Placement Tests and Remedial Courses: placement tests often come before or at orientation
- College Move-In Checklist: what to pack and what to talk about before move-in
Earlier years
Ninth and tenth grade have fewer dates but matter just as much. See the high school guide by grade and the four-year high school plan, or browse all education guides.
More guides
- Applying to BFA and Conservatory Programs: A Timeline for Families
- Service Academy Applications: Nominations and Timeline
- High School Midterms: How to Prepare Without Cramming
Where a mentor helps
A calendar only helps if someone acts on it. A Blackburn mentor meets with the student every week by video, keeps upcoming dates in view, breaks big tasks like essays and the FAFSA into small weekly steps, and checks in by text between sessions. A parent or guardian agrees the goals and gets regular updates. Mentors are not admissions counselors or financial aid advisers; the school counselor and colleges remain the source for requirements. Learn about mentoring for high school students.
Related
Common questions
When do the PSAT, SAT, ACT and AP exams happen?
The PSAT is usually in October, AP exams in the first weeks of May, and the SAT and ACT are offered several times a year. Check the current year’s dates with the school counselor.
When are college applications and the FAFSA due?
Early deadlines are often in November and regular deadlines often in January, though each college sets its own. The FAFSA opens by October 1, sometimes earlier, and some aid is first come, first served.
When do students have to choose a college?
Many colleges ask admitted students to commit by May 1, but deadlines vary. Compare aid offers before deciding.
Get started
Want a mentor to help your teen hit every date on this calendar? Call (888) 305 5422, email contact@blackburnmentoring.com or start with a short assessment. A member of our team reviews every assessment personally and sets up a free intro call.