Guide/05 Application Timeline
The Senior-Year Timeline
From the summer before senior year through Regular Decision deadlines — what to do and when, including how to choose ED, EA, or REA.
Chapter 16 of 245 min readUpdated September 23, 2026 Preview
The application process has a rhythm, and students who understand it ahead of time are far less stressed than those who meet every deadline as a surprise.
This chapter covers the first half of that rhythm: the summer before senior year, the early-round decision (Early Decision, Early Action, or Restrictive Early Action), the financial aid track that runs alongside everything, and Regular Decision.
Continue reading with full access
Get the complete college application guide, the example library, timelines, and resources.
One-time payment · Lifetime access · Secure checkout by Stripe
What’s in this chapter
- 1The timeline at a glance
- 2Summer before senior year
- 3Early Decision, Early Action, and REA
- 4Financial aid deadlines: the parallel track
- 5Regular Decision