Welcome to OrganizeU!
This tool is designed to give you an idealized college timeline. If you’re starting high school, OrganizeU encourages you to think about tasks early, so there is plenty of time to complete them without rushing. Of course, situations are different for each student, but in our combined 20+ years of college mentoring experience, we’ve found that following this college planning timeline makes applying to college much easier.
For juniors and seniors, this timeline incorporates application deadlines for over 1000 universities, including over 50 schools outside of the US. In the right-hand bar, you can add colleges, save your progress, and export your timeline to either iCal or Google Calendar so you never miss an application deadline. If you choose to anonymously save your calendar, we’ll send you an email with a link so you can share it with others and come back and edit it yourself if your college list changes.
To get started, tell us what year you’ll graduate from high school, and then we’ll take it from there!
All the best,
The Transizion Team
2021
1
It's important to choose your freshmen classes carefully and submit them to your high school on time. You should pick challenging classes that relate to your interests without taking so many that your GPA suffers.
1
If your school hosts a club fair at the beginning of the year, attend! It's a great way to see what your school offers. If not, ask your guidance counselor what clubs exist at your school. Choose ones that fit your interests, and don't be afraid to try several out and see which ones you like the most.
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Do you want to find an internship? Do a passion project? Take an online course? It's important to look for these opportunities in advance, so you don't miss any application deadlines.
Click here to learn more about passion projects! We have mentors who can support you throughout the entire process.
2022
1
Do you want to find an internship? Do a passion project? Take an online course? It's important to look for these opportunities in advance so you don't miss any application deadlines.
Click here to learn more about passion projects! We have mentors who can support you throughout the entire process.
15
It's important to choose your classes for next year well in advance and submit them to your high school on time. You should pick challenging classes that relate to your interests without taking so many that your GPA suffers.
1
Do you want to start a club? Begin volunteering somewhere? Get a job? It's important to look for these opportunities in advance so you don't miss any deadlines.
Click here to learn more about volunteering in high school!
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Once you've chosen, it's time to start studying!
Click here to learn more about how to study for the SAT or ACT.
2023
15
This summer is a great time for you to visit local universities and figure out what you like and dislike about different campuses. Do you like small schools or big ones? A hidden underground tunnel network for traversing between buildings in the winter? Five different soccer fields? This is a great opportunity for you to start visiting schools and developing those preferences.
Here is a worksheet you can download so you can take notes on all the schools you visit.
15
It's important to choose your classes for next year well in advance and submit them to your high school on time. You should pick challenging classes that relate to your interests without taking so many that your GPA suffers.
1
Do you want to start a club? Begin volunteering somewhere? Get a job? It's important to look for these opportunities in advance so you don't miss any deadlines.
Click here to learn more about volunteering in high school!
1
Do you want to find an internship? Do a passion project? Take an online course? It's important to look for these opportunities in advance so you don't miss any application deadlines.
Click here to learn more about high school internships! We have mentors who can support you throughout the entire application process.
31
If you haven't taken an official SAT or ACT test, now is the time. Many students find that their scores are lower than they anticipate when they take a test at a test center, due to running out of time, an unfamiliar testing environment, or just nervousness. It's better to figure that out now!
If you decide you'd like a tutor, we can help!
2024
1
Given that some early decision and regular decision deadlines are in mid-October, we encourage students to have an ACT or SAT score that they're happy with by this date. You can continue to take the SAT and ACT into the fall, but you may not get the scores back in time to be considered along with your applications.
Click here for tips to help raise your score!
Check out our blog and YouTube channel for information on what specific schools are looking for, standardized testing, essay writing, and even what classes to take in high school.
15
A handful of schools, including popular ones like UNC Chapel Hill, have deadlines in mid-October. Don't be surprised!
15
As you are working on finalizing your college list, now is a great time for you to consider taking an occasional weekend to visit schools you're struggling to decide between. Alternatively, you could take a virtual tour, attend an information session, or talk to an alumnus.
Here is a worksheet you can download so you can take notes on all the schools you visit.
15
It's important to choose your classes for next year well in advance and submit them to your high school on time. You should pick challenging classes that relate to your interests without taking so many that your GPA suffers.
1
Do you want to start a club? Begin volunteering somewhere? Get a job? It's important to look for these opportunities in advance so you don't miss any deadlines.
Click here to learn more about volunteering in high school!
1
It's important to start thinking about your college list early, as it will impact what you can be working on over the summer.
31
Ideally, you've decided what colleges you want to apply to so you can start on their applications. There may be minor changes later on, but for the most part, you want to have a solid plan in place.
1
While not all college applications require this, many do. Typically, this essay should be 650 words or less.
1
If you're applying to schools in Texas, this is when most of them release their essays and other application requirements.
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This is when the common app opens, which is the web application most people use to apply to universities. You can also check out the Coalition Application!
31
If you haven't taken an official SAT or ACT test, now is the time. Many students find that their scores are lower than they anticipate when they take a test at a test center, due to running out of time, an unfamiliar testing environment, or just nervousness. It's better to figure that out now!
If you decide you'd like a tutor, we can help!
1
Multiple states are now requiring that students and their parents submit the FAFSA in order to graduate from high school. Plus, the earlier it's submitted, the more money you're likely to be allocated. If you're not a US citizen, you may still need to submit the FAFSA to be considered for need-based aid from your university.
1
Many schools have their early deadlines at the beginning of November.
2025
1
Congratulations! You've submitted all your applications and gotten your acceptance letters. Today is the deadline to make a final decision about which college you'll attend and submit a deposit.
1
January and February are when most schools have their regular decision deadlines.