Upper School
College Counseling Timelines
Senior Year
September
Register for October ACT, SAT and SAT Subject Tests
Senior Student and Parent Information Night will be held to review the process of finalizing a college list and managing the application process.
Individual meetings with the College Counselor will be scheduled September through November to finalize the college list and prepare for the application process.
Students should discuss letters of recommendation with teachers they feel can best represent them.
If you have a definite first choice college and plan an Early Decision application, or if you wish to take advantage of Early Action options, research deadlines. Most fall between November 1 and January 1—you should notify the College Counselor as soon as possible if you plan to apply in this window, definitely by October 15.
Treat Rolling Admission deadlines like Earlies—notify teachers and make transcript requests by October 15.
Students will begin to submit the Teacher Recommendation forms to recommenders, along with required forms, and will notify the College Counselor of their final college list. This process will continue until late November, but you must notify teachers and the counselor of your first deadline with at least ONE MONTH of lead time.
College visits to The Bush School begin. Be sure to attend visits by colleges to which you are applying.
Work on essays and other supporting materials for applications. Be sure to know all the requirements for your colleges well ahead of the deadline, and work in advance of the deadlines to avoid rushed work or missed opportunities.
October
Continue attending college visits on campus.
Continue to communicate with the College Counselor about your application process and college list.
Begin submitting applications.
If you are applying for need-based financial aid, check to see if any of your colleges require the CSS Profile, and submit the required information in the fall.
Register for November ACT, SAT and SAT Subject tests
November
Submit final college application list (transfer request) to the College Counselor, and submit recommendation request form with deadlines list to teachers with one-month lead time before your first deadline. You may make minor additions or subtractions later, but you should submit the list of those colleges that you are sure of by this time.
Register for December ACT, SAT and SAT Subject tests (these test dates may not be reported in time for Early Decision/ Early Action applications).
If you are applying to the University of Washington, prepare materials to be sent by November 22, if possible, for priority consideration (particularly if you wish to be considered for scholarships or UW Honors).
December
Try to have all application materials completed and submitted by the beginning of the holiday break—enjoy the time off in the middle of a busy year!
Some Early Decision/ Early Action notifications will arrive. If an ED admission is offered, you must withdraw all other submitted applications.
If you are applying for need-based financial aid, prepare to file the FAFSA using the online worksheets.
January
Submit the FAFSA after January 1 if you are applying for need-based aid. Financial aid applications should be submitted by the application deadline.
The annual Alumni Panel during a Friday Forum will present the opportunity to ask questions of Bush alumni currently attending college.
February
Submit financial aid application materials by February 1 if you have not already done so.
Consider visiting colleges you’ve applied to during Winter Break. The spring of senior year is a good time to consider an overnight stay with a current student at colleges on your list.
March/ April
Most college decisions and financial aid packages will arrive between March 1 and April 1.
Many colleges will host open house visit programs for admitted students during the month of April.
May
May 1 is National Candidate Reply Date for selective colleges and universities. You must accept one—and only one— offer of admission, and send your required enrollment deposit, by this date.