Dear parents with high school seniors in New York City: congratulations, take a moment to pat yourself on the back for making it this far. Now welcome to college application season. For some of you, this will feel familiar, given that deciding on middle and high schools in New York City can feel as tedious as applying for college. But the fall of senior year can be overwhelming for even the most prepared families. We’ve compiled some of the most helpful deadlines and reminders to help you navigate this season:
September
- Before October, you should have already gathered your tax documents and determined your eligibility for opportunity programs like SEEK, College Discovery, Higher Education Opportunity Program, and Educational Opportunity Program.
- You also should have gathered letters of recommendation from teachers, and connected with your school guidance counselor or college advisor.
- You should also be finished with your college essay.
- You should have registered to take the October SAT and ACT if applicable
October
- Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- If you’re applying to schools in New York, you can then apply for the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)
- Schedule college tours. Also, many high schools take trips to local CUNY and SUNY colleges, so be sure your student is sharing this information with you.
- This is also the time to research and apply for scholarships
- Take advantage of CUNY’s free application period from Oct. 21 through Nov. 15. SUNY allows up to five free applications from Oct. 21 to Nov. 3.
- If you did not take the early October SAT, be sure to register for the Nov. 2 SAT.
November
- Be sure to have taken advantage of the free CUNY and SUNY application time period.
- Register for the Dec. 14 ACT exam by Nov. 8 and the Dec. 7 SAT by Nov. 22
- By Thanksgiving, you should have gathered everything: your letters of recommendation, essays, etc
December
- By now, you should have applied to potential colleges via the Common App or the SUNY application for colleges who do not use the Common App
- Letters of recommendation are typically due by the end of this month
January & February
- Mid-year transcripts are sent to colleges as requested
- Feb. 1 is the deadline for CUNY applications
March & April
- College offers will begin to roll in!
- Check in with your counselor and inform them of college offers and your decision
May
- May 1 is decision day for four-year colleges
- Be sure to submit any required documents to the college, such as financial documents, health immunizations, etc.
- Take any required placement exams
The college application process can feel overwhelming, but if you stay organized and on top of deadlines it will be a lot easier than you think.
