Free Tool

College Planning Calendar

The deadlines and decision points that actually matter, organized by month. Built for students, parents, and counselors who'd rather not miss the FAFSA opening or supplemental essay window.

This Month

May

May 1
National College Decision Day
applications
May 5
AP exams run first two weeks of May
test prep
May 15
Gap year decisions peak after acceptance
choosing

The full year

January

Most RD deadlines are Jan 1 or Jan 15
January 1
Most state aid deadlines fall in late Jan / early Feb
January 8

February

Spring scholarship deadline window
February 1
Spring SAT test dates and registration
February 15
Spring transfer application window
February 15
ACT spring test dates
February 20

March

No major dates.

April

Aid offer comparison ahead of decision day
April 15
AP Art/Research/Seminar portfolio submission deadlines
April 30

May

National College Decision Day
May 1
AP exams run first two weeks of May
May 5
Gap year decisions peak after acceptance
May 15

June

Summer prep window before senior-year apps
June 1
Summer planning for rising juniors
June 15
Summer college tour season
June 15

July

Common App essay prompts release each summer
July 1
Fall SAT test dates ahead of senior-year apps
July 15

August

Common App opens for the next admissions cycle
August 1
Time to ask teachers for LORs
August 15
Move-in season for incoming freshmen
August 15

September

Supplemental essay prep peaks Aug-Oct
September 1
First-semester adjustment window
September 1
Most college fairs run September-October
September 15

October

Annual FAFSA opening for the next aid cycle
October 1
Major fall scholarship deadlines cluster Oct-Nov
October 1
Fall midterms peak mid-October
October 15

November

ED/EA deadlines cluster around Nov 1 and Nov 15
November 1
Most AP exam registrations end mid-November
November 15
Thanksgiving break challenges for freshmen
November 20

December

No major dates.

Articles by topic

financial aid

applications

test prep

planning

choosing

campus life