College Timeline

Finding the right college is an exciting opportunity to explore new possibilities and discover where you'll thrive. This timeline will help you navigate each step with confidence, so you can focus on what matters most: finding a place where you'll grow, learn, and succeed.

Sophomore Year: Gather Information

  • Begin researching areas of study and careers that capture your interest.
  • Keep track of your extracurricular activities, responsibilities and accomplishments. These will be helpful in filling out your application.

  • Start exploring majors that align with your interests and future career goals. You can think about it in general categories such as Education, Business, Science. That way, you'll be able to see the wide-range of possibilities in each area. Remember- you don't need to decide yet, just explore! 

Junior Year: Get Down to Business

Esports at canisius
Studying for your degree is just one part of the college experience. Be sure to look for clubs, organizations and events that reflect your interests.
  • Narrow down the list of schools that you’re interested in.
  • Learn about the application process and timeline.
  • Create a list of questions that reflect what’s important to you. Do you want a small school with personal attention or a large university doing major research? Do you want the excitement and opportunity of a big city or the peace and quiet of a campus in the country? Each school offers something different, so it’s important to think about what you want.
  • Meet with college representatives coming to your high school.
  • Schedule a visit to your top schools.

Summer Before Your Senior Year: Get Organized

  • Schedule a visit to the schools you are considering. Many schools offer Virtual Tour options so you can get a preview before you visit.
  • Connect with individuals whom you would like to write your letters of recommendation. Think teachers, coaches, supervisors and others who know you well and will make your application shine.
  • Start writing your personal statement and other essays. There are countless ways to write your statement, but keep in mind that it should reflect you as an individual.
canisius students asd
​Attending an open house is like test-driving your future college, so attend as many as possible to make sure that it’s a right fit for you!

Senior Year: Apply, Apply, Apply 

August - November: Begin filling out applications.

Decide on the different application timelines: 

  • Early Decision: Apply early (usually November) and hear back by Christmas! The catch? If you get in, you're committed and the decision is final. Only use this for your absolute dream school.
  • Early Action: Same early timeline (like Canisius' Dec. 1 deadline), same quick response – but zero commitment. You can still shop around and compare offers from other schools.
  • Rolling Admission: Schools review apps and send decisions continuously throughout the year until classes start. No rigid deadline, but applying earlier = hearing back sooner (and better chances before spots fill up). Plus, you'll get earlier choice for housing and classes if you apply earlier. 

Other items to remember during this critical time:

  1. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
  2. Attend Open Houses
  3. Keep track of decisions at all your prospective schools 
December-February: Crunch the Numbers
  • Learn about specialized scholarship opportunities and your eligibility to apply.
    • Specialized scholarships usually apply to a specific area of the university such as a distinct major, club or something else entirely. For example, Canisius offers scholarships to Creative Writing Majors, students from the Rochester area, students who visit and apply by 12/1 and more. See a full list of specialized scholarships.
  • Review your financial aid award letters. Focus on not just which institution is giving you the biggest discount, but which is the best investment for you overall.
  • Refine the list of colleges you are considering. Now is a good time to pull up that list of questions that you made in your junior year and reflect on what you want out of your college experience.
Student at ASD event
Choosing your college is exciting, but it's what happens after you hit "accept" that really counts: finding your people, discovering your passions, and building the future you've been dreaming about.
March-May: Decision Time!
  • Attend accepted student events or shadow days.
  • Make your pick. May 1 is the national deadline to make your college decision.
  • Celebrate! You did it! Take a moment to congratulate yourself on a job well done.
After Your Decision

Touring colleges is fun, but getting to know your future college is even better. Now that you've decided it's time to meet your future classmates at orientation, find your roommate, register for classes and much more! To preview how this works, visit our Accepted Students page.