Most planning timelines start junior year. That's a year too late.
The students who get their first choice started sophomore year. Here's the grade-by-grade timeline that works — and what you can skip.
Start here
The College Planning Checklist
A month-by-month college planning checklist from freshman year through decision day, including what to prioritize if you're starting late.
Get the timeline→Your step-by-step path
Follow these steps in order. Each one builds on the last.
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The College Planning Checklist
A month-by-month college planning checklist from freshman year through decision day, including what to prioritize if you're starting late.
12 min readHow to Build a College List
The 3-tier system for building a college list that balances reach, match, and safety schools without wasting application fees or selling yourself short.
9 min readCollege Visit Checklist
A college visit checklist with specific questions to ask, red flags to watch for, and what admissions tours hide. Make every campus visit count.
9 min readAll guides
Browse by topic
Planning by Grade
What to do each year from freshman through senior spring.
Finding a College Planning Advisor
9 min readHow to Plan for College in High School
9 min readWhen to Start Preparing for Grad School
9 min readBuilding Your List
How to research schools, visit campuses, and pick safety/reach targets.
Safety Schools That Are Actually Good
9 min readTransfers & Alternatives
Community college, gap years, dual enrollment, and transfer paths.
Community College Transfer Guide
10 min readDual Enrollment vs AP Credits
10 min readGap Year Pros and Cons
10 min readShould You Take a Gap Year?
9 min readHow to Transfer Colleges
10 min readSpecial Paths
Guides for athletes, students with disabilities, international students, and more.