April 1, 2026

College Admittance Checklist for Seniors

1. Pay the Enrollment Fee

  • Deadline: As soon as the acceptance is confirmed (typically by May 1st, National College Decision Day).


2. Decline Other Offers


  • Deadline: Immediately after committing to one school, ideally by May 1st.

3. Check Housing Deposit Deadline

  • Deadline: Check the housing portal immediately after accepting the offer (deadlines vary by school, often by May/June).

4. Review Financial Aid/Scholarship Details

  • Deadline: Within 2-3 weeks after admission to ensure everything is in order.

5. Sign Up for Accepted/Admitted Student Visitation Days

  • Deadline: Within a month after admission, as spots fill quickly (preferably by May/June).

6. Register for Orientation/Move-In

  • Deadline: As soon as the registration opens, typically in June-July.

7. Follow Your College on Social Media/Join Group Chats

  • Deadline: ASAP after admission to connect with incoming students and find a roommate.


8. Check Your College Email Regularly

  • Deadline: Start immediately after acceptance to stay on top of important communications from your college.



9. If Greek Life is a Thing, Pay Attention to Dates

  • Deadline: Check early (some activities may begin before the school year, often prior to freshman orientation in August/September).

10. Start Pulling Together Legal Documents/Make an Important Documents Folder

  • Deadline: By June/July (ensure all forms like medical release, power of attorney, and emergency contacts are in order).

11. Look Into Renters Insurance

  • Deadline: By August. If living off-campus, secure insurance early. For on-campus, check if the school requires proof of coverage.

12. Order Textbooks/Supplies

  • Deadline: Mid-July to August – order early to save money and ensure you have everything needed for the first day of class.

13. Set Up a Bank Account or Arrange for Banking Services

  • Deadline: July/August if needed for living expenses and school-related costs.

14. Check Vaccination and Health Record Requirements

  • Deadline: By August – ensure immunizations are up-to-date and any required health forms are submitted.


By Sunny Grewal June 25, 2026
Class of 2025 UC data for Huntington Beach, Fountain Valley, and Los Alamitos high schools. See every school ranked with real admit rates and applicant counts.
By Sunny Grewal June 22, 2026
Mount Pleasant and Andrew Hill had higher UC admit rates than Leland, Willow Glen, and Pioneer. Here's what every San Jose family needs to know.
By Sunny Grewal June 9, 2026
Orange County families are missing key shifts in college admissions. Here's what's changed in the past 18 months and what to do now.
By Sunny Grewal June 5, 2026
Cupertino High had a higher UC admit rate than Monta Vista and Lynbrook. Here's what South Bay families need to know about these surprising numbers.
By Sunny Grewal May 25, 2026
Novato High had a higher UC admit rate than Tam, Redwood, and Drake last year. Here's what every Marin family should actually know about these numbers.
By Sunny Grewal May 20, 2026
College Park and Northgate had higher UC admit rates than Campolindo, Miramonte, and Acalanes last year. Here's what every East Bay family should know.
By Sunny Grewal May 15, 2026
Half Moon Bay High has a higher UC admit rate than Palo Alto High and Gunn. Here’s what every Peninsula and Palo Alto family should actually know about these numbers.
By Sunny Grewal May 12, 2026
Mission High in SF doubled its UC admit rate in 6 years. Here are the 10 Bay Area schools whose UC numbers climbed the most, and why it matters for your kid.
By Sunny Grewal May 7, 2026
SAT or ACT score on hand? Learn how to use Common Data Set sections C7 and C9 to decide if you should submit it.
By Sunny Grewal May 5, 2026
Bay Area UC admit rates shifted dramatically from 2019 to 2025. See the outliers, the district patterns, and what the data actually tells families.