August 1: Common Application and college-specific supplements go live for 2026/2027.

August 1: University of California application opens for applicants for fall 2027 enrollment.

Rising seniors, reach out to your counselor or a trusted teacher to review a draft of your college essay. Make necessary edits by the end of the month.

August 7: Registration deadline for August 22, 2026 SAT.

August 11: Late registration deadline for August 22, 2026 SAT.

August 14: Registration deadline for September 19, 2026 ACT.

August 22: SAT. 

August 28: Registration deadline for September 12, 2026 SAT.

Rising seniors, add colleges to your “My Colleges” list on the Common App. Review supplements for all colleges on your list to determine what additional work is required.

End of August: Submit all Rolling Admissions applications. Many state and public colleges/universities have Rolling Admissions programs. The sooner you get the application submitted to these schools, the better!

Rising seniors, continue to visit colleges and do virtual tours.

Rising seniors, consider applying Early Decision and/or Early Action.

Rising seniors, begin working on supplements for Early Decision and/or Early Action programs.

Rising seniors, email your counselor and the teachers writing on your behalf about summer experiences, your college list, and any updates on your college search.

Seniors set up a formal meeting with your counselor to review your final college list.

For students submitting test scores this year for the colleges that require official score reports, send score reports now for Early Decision and Early Action programs. This will ensure the scores arrive in plenty of time before the deadline.

Seniors visit colleges in person or virtually.

See your counselor to review and sign off on your high school transcript. Make sure all grades and courses listed are accurate. If you are applying to test-optional colleges, request that all test scores are removed from the transcript.

September 1: Late registration deadline for September 12, 2026 SAT.

September 1: Late registration deadline for September 19, 2026 ACT.

September 11: Registration deadline for October 17, 2026 ACT.

September 12: SAT.

September 18: Registration deadline for October 3, 2026 SAT.

September 19: ACT.

September 22: Late registration deadline for October 3, 2026 SAT.

September 29: Late registration deadline for October 17, 2026 ACT.

CHECKPOINT: Seniors send thank you notes to the counselor and teachers writing for you.

October 1: CSS Profile (financial aid form) available.

October 1: 2027-28 FAFSA (financial aid form) available. Check here for updates.

(Note: While each U.S. state may have a final deadline, individual college and universities will have a school specific deadline usually earlier than the state's final deadline.)

October 1: University of California and California State University: Cal Grant Verification Form opens for CA applicants.

TIP: The Net Price Calculator is available on most colleges’ financial aid websites to help families determine estimated costs.

October 1: University of California fall 2027 admission application filing period begins for all applicants (filing period open through November 30, 2026).

October 1: PSAT/NMSQT testing begins.

October 3: SAT.

October 6: ACT initial score release for September 19, 2026 test date.

October 17: PSAT/NMSQT Saturday test date.

October 17: ACT.

October 23: Registration deadline for November 7, 2026 SAT.

October 27: Late registration deadline for November 7, 2026 SAT.

October 27: ACT initial score release for October 17, 2026 test date.

October 30: PSAT/NMSQT testing ends.

November 1: Early Decision and Early Action deadlines.

November 6: Registration deadline for December 12, 2026 ACT.

November 7: SAT.

November 15: Early Decision and Early Action deadlines. 

November 20: Registration deadline for December 5, 2026 SAT.

November 24: Late registration deadline for December 5, 2026 SAT.

November 29: Late registration deadline for December 12, 2026 ACT.

November 30: University of California fall 2027 admission application deadline.

Remind your counselor to send first quarter grades from senior year to any Early Decision and/or Early Action school. These grades are typically not required for Early Decision and Early Action programs. However, if they are very strong, it can make a positive impact on a student’s application.

December 5: SAT.

December 12: ACT.

December 22: ACT initial score release for December 12, 2026 test date.

Mid-December: Most Early Action and Early Decision programs notify.

If admitted to an Early Decision program, immediately withdraw all other applications.

Regular Decision and Early Decision II deadlines are typically January 1st through January 15th.

January 22: Registration deadline for February 27, 2027 ACT.

Send enrollment deposit if admitted to an Early Decision school.

Mid-January: Send an email update if you were deferred from your first choice college. Let them know that it remains your first choice and explain the reasons why.

Early February: Seniors contact your counselor and update them on your top choices. 

Mid-February: Seniors follow up with your counselor to ensure first semester grades/mid-year reports are sent to colleges.

February 9: Late deadline for February 27, 2027 ACT.

February 19: Registration deadline for March 6, 2027 SAT.

February 23: Late registration deadline for March 6, 2027 SAT.

February 27: ACT.

Juniors sign up for mailing lists at colleges.

Early to Late March: Admissions decisions for most Regular Decision programs are released.

March 1: University of California notification of fall 2027 admission decisions begins. (Note: Some campuses may release decisions prior to March.)

March 2: University of California deadline for applicants to submit FAFSA, California Dream Act Application, and GPA Verification Form.

March 5: Registration deadline for April 10, 2027 ACT.

March 6: SAT.

March 16: ACT initial score release for February 27, 2027 test date.

March 23: Late registration deadline for April 10, 2027 ACT.

Juniors visit colleges over Spring Break.

The PSAT 10 is offered to tenth graders beginning March 1, 2027 and ending April 30, 2027. Check with your counselor for more information on whether or not your high school offers this test.

Early April: Seniors looking for more financial aid should request re-evaluation forms and send them in as soon as possible.

Early April: Seniors update Naviance/SCOIR/Xello/etc., your counselor, and the teachers who wrote letters of recommendation for you about your college decisions.

Early April: Seniors hoping to get off a waitlist at certain institutions should communicate their interest by following the specific instructions provided by the school.

April 10: ACT.

April 16: Registration deadline for May 1, 2027 SAT.

April 20: Late registration deadline for May 1, 2027 SAT.

April 20: ACT initial score release for April 10, 2027 test date.

Seniors register and attend on-campus accepted student programs.

Seniors register and attend any receptions for accepted students in your local area.

Juniors visit colleges over Spring Break.

The PSAT 10 is offered to tenth graders beginning March 1, 2027 and ending April 30, 2027. Check with your counselor for more information on whether or not your high school offers this test.

Early May: Juniors speak to your counselor about which teachers to ask for letters of recommendation for college applications.

May 1: National response deadline and enrollment deposits due.

May 1: SAT.

May 1: University of California deadline for fall 2027 admitted freshman to submit Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) to their chosen campus.

May 3-14: AP exams. (NOTE: Be sure to check with your high school or on the AP website for specific dates by subject.)

May 7: Registration deadline for June 12, 2027 ACT.

Mid-May: Juniors send an email to two academic teachers from 10th/11th grade to request a meeting (in person, if possible) to ask them to write letters of recommendation.

May 17-21 (TBD): AP exam late-testing dates.

May 21: Registration deadline for June 5, 2027 SAT.

May 25: Late registration deadline for June 5, 2027 SAT.

May 25: Late registration deadline for June 12, 2027 ACT.

Juniors start writing down possible topics for your college essay.

Juniors sign up for summer SAT or ACT test prep class and/or secure a private tutor.

June 4: Registration deadline for July 10, 2027 ACT. 

June 5: SAT.

June 12: ACT.

June 22: Late registration deadline for July 10, 2027 ACT. 

June 22: ACT initial score release for June 12, 2027 test date.

Juniors stop in to see your counselor and both teachers that will be writing for you before the end of the school year. Wish them well for the summer.

University of California enrolled students be sure to have your official transcript sent on or before July 1.

July 1: University of California students enrolled for fall 2027: Final, official transcripts must be sent to the campus admissions office. Transcripts must be postmarked or electronically submitted on or before July 1.

July 10: ACT 

July 15: University of California students admitted for fall 2027: Official AP, IB examination results must be sent to the campus admissions office. Test scores must be postmarked or electronically submitted on or before July 15.

July 20: ACT initial score release for July 10, 2027 test date.

Last week of July: Common App “refreshes” and is offline.

TBD: Registration deadline for anticipated August 28, 2027 SAT.

Rising seniors draft and make edits to your college essay.

Rising seniors visit colleges.

Checkpoint: All students should pursue some aspect of their personal passion at least once this summer.