APPLICATION TIMELINE

Applying for college can be a long, time-consuming process, but it’s easier if you take it one step at a time and know what to expect. Here’s a month-by-month guideline for what high school seniors can expect as they go through the admissions process.

AUGUST

Compile a list of colleges that you want to apply to. Experts recommend categorizing them into three areas: “safe” schools that you should easily get accepted into, “match” schools that are a good fit for your academics, and “reach” schools that are a long shot but still worth applying for.

Check the websites of these colleges to find out their admission requirements, including their application deadlines. For schools you’re most seriously considering, now can also be a good time for an oncampus visit to see it in person.

You should also review your high school class schedule to make sure you’re meeting all the requirements for your target colleges, including any foreign language courses or special English or math classes that may be required.

SEPTEMBER

As soon as school starts, plan on scheduling a meeting with your guidance counselor to make a road map for your college application process.

You’ll want to write down all the deadlines for when applications are due — usually Dec. 1 for freshman applicants, but check with each school to make sure — and take particular note of any early decision deadlines.

You should also start requesting letters of recommendation from teachers, bosses, church leaders and anyone else who can offer a positive, honest opinion about you.

Now is the time to start working on your college essays, too, and you can boost your college resume by looking for leadership positions, volunteering and taking on some extracurricular activities.

OCTOBER

If you haven’t done so already, take the SAT and/or ACT tests as appropriate for your situation. Depending on your school’s application deadline, October may be your last chance to get test scores submitted to the school on time.

You should also start to narrow down your list of college choices. Gather as much information as you can on everything from financial costs to student life, and complete as many in-person campus visits as possible.

Use this month to get extremely organized, with a chart of every application requirement and its associated deadline: financial aid, letters of recommendation, essays and application forms.

NOVEMBER

This is the month when you should be putting the finishing touches on your regular admissions applications, which are typically due in December.

Have teachers, counselors and parents review your college essays, and double-check each of the applications to be sure you’re meeting all the requirements.

It’s also important to not let your grades dip at this time. It’s not uncommon for senior-year grades to slump, but this is a bad sign for college admissions agents.

DECEMBER AND JANUARY

With your regular admissions applications finished and polished to perfection, Dec. 1 is the deadline to actually submit them for most schools.

You’ll want to do a lot of doublechecking to make sure other people are doing their part of the job: getting the right, up-to-date high school transcripts submitted and letters of recommendation mailed off.

You should also do lots of digging into available scholarships and completing your FAFSA form as early as possible if you plan to apply for financial aid.

FEBRUARY AND MARCH

You may begin receiving some acceptance letters now, but be thoughtful about making your final decision. You’ll want to compare financial aid offers and make incampus visits before picking one definitively.

Students who filed a FAFSA form should receive their Student Aid Report (SAR). You’ll want to make sure all the information on it is correct.

Keep researching and applying for scholarships that can help you no matter where you choose to attend.

APRIL

Keep all the information you receive from schools organized. You may want to compile them in folders labeled “accepted,” “rejected” and “waitlisted.”

If you’ve decided not to attend a college after receiving your acceptance letter, it’s a good courtesy to send them a letter letting them know you have ruled that school out.

MAY

If you haven’t done so already, finalize your decision and start to make financial plans for attending your chosen school.

Let the school know about any scholarships you have received. Also take note of any deposit deadlines, because many colleges require a deposit by May. 1. Sometimes you can request an extension if you need more time.

You can take AP exams to get college credit before you leave high school.

And finally, do the polite thing by sending thank-you letters to everyone who helped you get into college — from teachers and counselors to your mentors and family members.