The LaunchPoint College Planning Timeline

College planning gets easier when you know what comes next.

A month-by-month guide to the deadlines, decisions and next steps that matter from freshman year through senior spring.

2026–27 edition · Updated throughout the year as dates and requirements change.

START WITH SEPTEMBER ↓

This is not another giant college checklist.

Not every student needs to be doing the same thing at the same time. Use this timeline to see what deserves your attention now, what is coming next and what can wait.

Applying outside Florida? Absolutely. This timeline covers the broader college-planning process. We add Florida-specific reminders when they are especially useful to the families we serve.

September 2026

THIS MONTH

Seniors are moving into application season. Juniors should be building a testing and academic plan. Younger students need a strong start to the school year, not an admissions strategy.

DATES TO KNOW

Sept. 11
ACT registration deadline for the Oct. 17 ACT.
Sept. 12
SAT test date.
Sept. 18
SAT registration deadline for the Oct. 3 SAT.
Sept. 19
ACT test date.
Sept. 22
Late registration/change deadline for the Oct. 3 SAT.
Sept. 29
Late registration deadline for the Oct. 17 ACT.
WHAT MATTERS MOST Seniors should know where they are applying, which deadlines they are targeting and what still needs to be completed.

SENIORS

  • Finalize the college list and application plan.
  • Confirm application rounds and deadlines for every college.
  • Keep activities, honors and Additional Information moving.
  • Continue the personal statement and supplemental essays.
  • Confirm recommendation requirements and school procedures.
  • Know each college's testing and score-reporting policy.

JUNIORS

  • Protect first-semester grades.
  • Build an SAT/ACT testing plan.
  • Stay meaningfully involved in activities, work and service.
  • Begin noticing what types of colleges may fit.

SOPHOMORES

  • Focus on academic consistency.
  • Continue activities that genuinely interest you.
  • Start keeping track of accomplishments and leadership.

FRESHMEN

  • Learn how to manage the high-school workload.
  • Explore activities without worrying about building a perfect résumé.
  • Understand graduation requirements and course pathways.

YOU CAN IGNORE THIS FOR NOW

Freshmen do not need a college list. Sophomores do not need a Common App strategy. Juniors do not need a finished personal statement.

LAUNCHPOINT CHECKPOINT

Senior families: before September ends, can you clearly answer where are we applying, when are we applying and what is still missing?

Working on applications?

Our free guides can help with the question in front of you.

EXPLORE FREE GUIDES →

October 2026

Application season accelerates. Seniors should be moving from drafting toward submission while juniors begin thinking more intentionally about testing and college exploration.

DATES TO KNOW

Oct. 1
The 2027–28 FAFSA is scheduled to be available by this date.
Oct. 1–30
National PSAT/NMSQT school testing window. Individual schools choose their test date.
Oct. 3
SAT test date.
Oct. 17
ACT test date.
Oct. 23
SAT registration deadline for the Nov. 7 SAT.
Oct. 27
Late registration/change deadline for the Nov. 7 SAT.
WHAT MATTERS MOST Seniors should not wait until the night before a deadline to discover that something is missing.

SENIORS

  • Complete applications with October and early-November deadlines.
  • Review every application before submitting.
  • Confirm transcripts, recommendations and testing requirements.
  • Complete the FAFSA when your family is ready.
  • Keep scholarship and financial-aid requirements on the radar.

JUNIORS

  • Take the PSAT/NMSQT if offered through your school.
  • Continue SAT/ACT preparation based on your plan.
  • Build college awareness without rushing into a final list.
  • Keep grades and course rigor at the center of the year.

SOPHOMORES

  • Check that study habits are working.
  • Stay involved rather than adding activities just to add them.

FRESHMEN

  • Ask for academic help early when needed.
  • Keep exploring activities and interests.
FOR FLORIDA SENIORS Bright Futures has its own Florida Financial Aid Application. Do not assume that completing the FAFSA also completes your Bright Futures application. Follow current OSFA guidance for your graduating class.

November 2026

Many early applications are due around this part of the cycle, but every college sets its own deadlines. Regular Decision work, financial aid and scholarships may still be ahead.

DATES TO KNOW

Nov. 1
A common Early Action/Early Decision deadline at many colleges. This is not universal, so verify every college individually.
Nov. 6
ACT registration deadline for the Dec. 12 ACT.
Nov. 7
SAT test date.
Nov. 20
SAT registration deadline for the Dec. 5 SAT.
Nov. 24
Late registration/change deadline for the Dec. 5 SAT.
Nov. 29
Late registration deadline for the Dec. 12 ACT.

SENIORS

  • Finish remaining applications.
  • Monitor applicant portals after submission.
  • Respond promptly to missing-item requests.
  • Keep senior-year grades strong.
  • Continue financial-aid and scholarship work.

JUNIORS

  • Review first-semester academic progress.
  • Continue testing preparation.
  • Start family conversations about college priorities and cost.

FRESHMEN + SOPHOMORES

  • Focus on school, involvement and good habits.
  • Notice what is working before next year's course planning begins.

December 2026

Early decisions may begin arriving while January deadlines approach. Keep the focus on the next actionable step.

DATES TO KNOW

Dec. 5
SAT test date.
Dec. 12
ACT test date.

SENIORS

  • Finish January-deadline applications before winter break when possible.
  • Review financial-aid requirements.
  • Understand what an admit, denial, deferral or waitlist means.
  • Do not let an early decision derail unfinished applications.

JUNIORS

  • Take stock of the first semester.
  • Think ahead to spring college visits.
  • Continue testing based on your individual plan.

FRESHMEN + SOPHOMORES

  • Finish the semester well.
  • Use winter break as a break. College planning does not need to consume it.

Need one clear thing to focus on each week?

Monday Momentum cuts through the noise and tells families what actually matters now.

READ MONDAY MOMENTUM →

January 2027

Seniors move deeper into the waiting and financial-aid phase while juniors begin becoming the next application class.

DATES TO KNOW

Early January
Many Regular Decision deadlines fall around this part of the calendar. Dates vary widely by college.
Jan. 22
ACT registration deadline for the Feb. 27 ACT.

SENIORS

  • Complete any remaining applications.
  • Monitor applicant portals and financial-aid requirements.
  • Apply for scholarships that are actually a fit.
  • Keep grades up after applications are submitted.

JUNIORS

  • Begin building an initial college list.
  • Plan spring visits where possible.
  • Review SAT/ACT progress and remaining test dates.
  • Think intentionally about senior-year course rigor.

SOPHOMORES + FRESHMEN

  • Use course registration to think thoughtfully about next year.
  • Choose appropriate rigor, not maximum rigor at any cost.

February 2027

Juniors should be moving from vague college thinking toward deliberate exploration. Seniors should keep watching decisions and financial-aid information.

DATES TO KNOW

Feb. 9
Late registration deadline for the Feb. 27 ACT.
Feb. 19
SAT registration deadline for the March 6 SAT.
Feb. 23
Late registration/change deadline for the March 6 SAT.
Feb. 27
ACT test date.

SENIORS

  • Compare admissions and scholarship updates carefully.
  • Keep applicant portals current.
  • Plan admitted-student visits where useful.

JUNIORS

  • Research colleges based on fit, not just name recognition.
  • Visit campuses when possible.
  • Continue testing.
  • Start thinking about the experiences and perspective you may eventually bring to an application.

FRESHMEN + SOPHOMORES

  • Choose next year's courses thoughtfully.
  • Continue developing depth in activities and interests.

March 2027

Admissions decisions begin arriving in larger numbers. Juniors should be narrowing their college research and preparing for the application year ahead.

DATES TO KNOW

March 5
ACT registration deadline for the April 10 ACT.
March 6
SAT test date.
March 23
Late registration deadline for the April 10 ACT.

SENIORS

  • Compare acceptances, costs and program fit.
  • Attend admitted-student events when useful.
  • Read financial-aid offers carefully.

JUNIORS

  • Continue refining the college list.
  • Keep testing moving.
  • Plan spring visits.
  • Start organizing activities, honors and accomplishments.

FRESHMEN + SOPHOMORES

  • Stay focused academically as spring gets busy.
  • Make summer plans that are realistic and meaningful.

Starting to compare colleges?

We have free tools built for exactly that.

SEE THE FREE GUIDES →

April 2027

Seniors are making final comparisons. Juniors should be turning research into an actionable college-planning strategy.

DATES TO KNOW

April 10
ACT test date.
April 16
SAT registration deadline for the May 1 SAT.
April 20
Late registration/change deadline for the May 1 SAT.
April 30
AP Digital Portfolio deadline for AP Seminar, AP Research and AP Computer Science Principles performance tasks, plus AP World Language PPR submissions.

SENIORS

  • Compare net cost, academic fit and opportunities.
  • Understand enrollment and housing deadlines.
  • Ask questions before committing.

JUNIORS

  • Move toward a balanced college list.
  • Ask teachers about recommendations when appropriate.
  • Organize activities, honors and accomplishments.
  • Plan summer application work.

FRESHMEN + SOPHOMORES

  • Finish the academic year strong.
  • Confirm summer plans without chasing prestige for prestige's sake.

May 2027

Seniors make the transition from applicant to enrolled student. Juniors are about to enter the summer before applications.

DATES TO KNOW

May 1
National college response date for most colleges. Always verify your individual college's enrollment deadline.
May 1
SAT test date.
May 3–7
AP Exams, Week 1.
May 7
ACT registration deadline for the June 12 ACT.
May 7
AP Art and Design portfolio submission deadline.
May 10–14
AP Exams, Week 2.
May 21
SAT registration deadline for the June 5 SAT.
May 25
Late SAT registration/change deadline for June 5 and late ACT registration deadline for June 12.
WHAT MATTERS MOST Seniors: compare the actual choices in front of you. Juniors: organize now so application season does not begin from scratch in August.

SENIORS

  • Submit one enrollment deposit by your college's deadline.
  • Complete housing and orientation steps.
  • Take AP exams.
  • Finish high school responsibly.
  • Make sure the college receives your final transcript when required.

JUNIORS

  • Finalize recommendation requests if your school handles them in spring.
  • Organize activities and honors information.
  • Review the college list.
  • Make a realistic summer application plan.

FRESHMEN + SOPHOMORES

  • Finish classes strongly.
  • Keep summer purposeful, but do not manufacture résumé filler.

June 2027

Rising seniors can make fall application season dramatically easier by doing thoughtful groundwork now.

DATES TO KNOW

June 4
ACT registration deadline for the July 10 ACT.
June 5
SAT test date.
June 12
ACT test date.
June 22
Late registration deadline for the July 10 ACT.

RISING SENIORS

  • Confirm the working college list.
  • Organize activities, honors and family information.
  • Begin serious personal-statement brainstorming.
  • Research supplements as colleges release them.
  • Know which application platforms your colleges use.

RISING JUNIORS

  • Use summer for work, service, activities, learning or meaningful responsibility.
  • Begin thinking about testing if appropriate.

RISING FRESHMEN + SOPHOMORES

  • Do something useful, interesting or restorative.
  • You do not need an expensive pre-college program to have a worthwhile summer.

Rising senior?

This is a good time to get organized before applications take over the fall.

EXPLORE LAUNCHPOINT SERVICES →

July 2027

For rising seniors, July is one of the best times to make real progress before school and application deadlines collide.

DATES TO KNOW

July 10
ACT test date.
Late July
Rising seniors should have their college list, application plan and essay work underway before school resumes.

RISING SENIORS

  • Draft and revise the personal statement.
  • Build strong activities and honors entries.
  • Review the college list for balance and fit.
  • Map application rounds and deadlines.
  • Track supplemental essays as colleges release them.

OTHER GRADES

  • Continue summer activities and responsibilities.
  • Rest before the school year begins.
  • There is no need to turn July into an admissions boot camp.

YOU CAN IGNORE THIS FOR NOW

Rising freshmen, sophomores and most juniors do not need to spend July writing essays or filling out college applications.

August 2027

Application platforms begin the new cycle, school resumes and senior application season becomes real.

DATES TO WATCH

Around Aug. 1
Common App traditionally launches its new first-year application cycle at the beginning of August. LaunchPoint will update this timeline when Common App publishes the official 2027–28 launch information.
Aug. 28*
Anticipated SAT weekend test date for the 2027–28 testing year. *College Board currently lists this as anticipated, not final.
WHAT MATTERS MOST Seniors should build a complete application plan before trying to submit anything.

SENIORS

  • Set up and review application accounts.
  • Finalize the college list.
  • Map deadlines and application rounds.
  • Continue essays and supplements.
  • Complete activities and honors thoughtfully.
  • Understand what your high school sends and what you submit yourself.

JUNIORS

  • Start the year strongly.
  • Confirm testing plans.
  • Continue meaningful involvement.

SOPHOMORES

  • Pay attention to academic trajectory.
  • Continue exploring interests and activities.

FRESHMEN

  • Adjust to high school.
  • Learn how to manage your time.
  • Try things. You do not need a four-year admissions plan.

Application season is here.

Start with our free resources, or see how LaunchPoint can help when you need more support.

FREE GUIDES →   OUR SERVICES →
Clarity first. Strategy always.

You don't have to figure out every next step alone.

The timeline tells you what is coming. LaunchPoint helps you decide what makes sense for your student.

EXPLORE LAUNCHPOINT SERVICES →

Want one clear thing to focus on each week? Read Monday Momentum →

Looking for a specific planning tool? Visit the Free Guide Library →

College, testing, financial-aid and scholarship requirements can change. Always confirm deadlines and requirements directly with the applicable college, testing organization or government agency.