Following an introductory program for parents/guardians in the early fall of junior year, the college process formally begins in the spring semester. Each junior is assigned a college counselor, and a family meeting is scheduled to outline the college office’s structure and resources. In April, ECFS hosts a College Symposium with approximately 60 admissions representatives from a diverse array of colleges and universities for an interactive and informative day of case studies and panel discussions. The Symposium serves as a catalyst for the fall semester of senior year when students submit their applications to colleges.

The College Office Timeline

Junior year

Fall semester
  • Attend the Fall College Night for Form V parents.

  • Register for the PSAT (for National Merit Consideration).

  • Begin standardized test preparation; some students may sit for the October/November/
    December SAT/ACT.

  • Make good decisions!
Spring semester
  • Receive your college counselor assignment in late January.
  • Attend the first family college meeting in February.
  • Begin to research colleges with your counselor and schedule college visits over Presidents’ Day and Spring Recess.
  • If appropriate, sit for the SAT (March, May, or June) or ACT (February, April, or June). Make
    sure to check the registration deadlines and test site requirements.
  • Attend the Junior College Symposium (for juniors and their parents/guardians) in late April.
    Over 70 college and university representatives will be present for a half-day of panel
    discussions, case studies, and presentations.
  • Discuss college research, recommendation letters, applications and summer plans with your
    counselor.
  • Review senior year course schedules with your counselor.
  • Maintain satisfactory grades in an appropriate curriculum.
  • Make good decisions!
Summer
  • Schedule additional college visits.
  • Schedule college interviews (if applicable).
  • Invest in activities that align with your individual interests, and try to record notes on these
    experiences.
  • Make good decisions!

Senior year

Fall semester
  • Maintain strong grades in an appropriate curriculum — senior grades count!
  • If applicable, sign up for the SAT (August, September, October, or November) or ACT
    (September, October, or December). Make sure to check the registration deadlines and
    test site requirements.
  • Complete the senior narrative worksheet (a form that records activities, community service,
    and summer experiences).
  • Sign up for college presentations held at ECFS. Look for presentations held throughout New
    York City as well.
  • Schedule an individual family college meeting with your counselor.
  • Schedule college visits. In addition to holidays, ECFS offers college visiting days in the fall
    semester.
  • Schedule college interviews (if applicable).
  • Work with your counselor to complete application requirements.
  • Submit Early Action, Rolling Admission, or Early Decision applications (typically November
    1–15). Applications to University of Michigan, University of North Carolina–Chapel Hill, SUNY
    institutions, and University of California schools are generally due early in the semester. If
    applying to these schools, prioritize these applications.
  • Beginning October 1, complete appropriate financial aid applications (FAFSA and CSS
    Profile).
  • Monitor the submission of application materials, and check the financial aid status for every
    college (if applicable). Inform the College Office if there are missing materials after you submit
    your application.
  • Finish all applications by December 31. If you have essays that need to be reviewed by your
    counselor, submit these BEFORE winter break.
  • If admitted Early Decision (or to a first-choice school), promptly withdraw applications to other
    colleges.
  • Make good decisions!
Spring semester
  • Apply to colleges with January 15–February 15 deadlines (if applicable).
  • Check financial aid status at all colleges and universities (if applicable).
  • Wait for colleges to release final decisions in mid-March through April 1. During this time, please respect your fellow students and their forthcoming decisions.
  • Complete the college results survey and submit it to the College Office.
  • Maintain strong grades — colleges are monitoring your final grades!
  • Make good decisions!
College Office Quick Links

Geographical List of Colleges and Universities 

College Destinations for Previous Classes

2024-2025 Profile for Colleges

Do you have a question? Email collegeoffice@ecfs.org!