Senior-year roadmap from list-building to submission — essays, recommendations, tests, deadlines.
School & StudyingTemplate Items (17)
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Build a long list of 15–25 possible schools
Due: May 20, 2026 (in 7 days)
#1 -
Visit (or take virtual tours of) your top 8
Due: Jun 03, 2026 (in 21 days)
#2 -
Narrow to a final list: safety, target, reach
Due: Jun 10, 2026 (in 28 days)
#3 -
Register for SAT/ACT (or final retake)
Due: Jun 12, 2026 (in 30 days)
#4 -
Request transcripts from your school
Due: Jun 17, 2026 (in 35 days)
#5 -
Ask 2–3 teachers for recommendation letters early
Due: Jun 17, 2026 (in 35 days)
#6 -
Provide your recommenders with a brag sheet + deadlines
Due: Jun 22, 2026 (in 40 days)
#7 -
Draft the Common App personal essay
Due: Jul 02, 2026 (in 50 days)
#8 -
Get the personal essay reviewed by two readers
Due: Jul 12, 2026 (in 60 days)
#9 -
Draft each supplemental essay per school
Due: Jul 27, 2026 (in 75 days)
#10 -
Complete the FAFSA (and CSS Profile if needed)
Due: Aug 01, 2026 (in 80 days)
#11 -
Final proofread of every application
Due: Aug 11, 2026 (in 90 days)
#12 -
Submit early action / early decision applications
Due: Aug 16, 2026 (in 95 days)
#13 -
Submit all regular decision applications
Due: Sep 10, 2026 (in 120 days)
#14 -
Confirm each school received transcripts, scores, recs
Due: Sep 15, 2026 (in 125 days)
#15 -
Compare aid packages once decisions come in
Due: Nov 09, 2026 (in 180 days)
#16 -
Submit your enrollment deposit by May 1
Due: Dec 09, 2026 (in 210 days)
#17
Using this template will create a new list with all the items shown above. You can set a custom start date for calculating due dates.