A structured guide to key application milestones for universities in the US, UK, Canada, Singapore, and India.
March – June: Preparation Phase
- Common Application Essay: Begin drafting for US universities.
- Research & Selection: Define criteria, shortlist colleges, and strategize for Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), and Restrictive Early Action (REA).
- UCAS Personal Statement: Start drafting for UK applications.
- Extracurricular Profile: Compile a list of activities, projects, and achievements.
- Letters of Recommendation (LORs): Identify recommenders and prepare detailed brag sheets.
- Standardized Tests: Plan and complete AP exams if applicable.
- UCAS Application: Opens in May for UK universities.
- University of California (UC) Personal Insight Questions (PIQs): Begin drafting responses.
July – November: Application Submission Phase
July – August
- Finalize:
- Common Application Essay, early college choices, and LORs.
- ED/EA/REA application strategy.
August 1:
Opening of major application portals:
- Common Application (US)
- Coalition Application (US
- University of California (UC) Application
September:
- Finalize UCAS Personal Statement.
- HKUST (Hong Kong) Application opens.
October
- UK Applications: Register for Oxford and Cambridge pre-interview assessments (e.g., Thinking Skills Assessment).
- October 15: UCAS deadline for Oxford and Cambridge.
- US Applications: Register for Early Round alumni interviews.
Prepare for alumni interviews, focusing on self-presentation and communication skills.
- Canadian Applications: Opens in early October (varies by university).
- Singapore Applications: NUS and NTU applications open.
November
- November 1: EA/ED/REA deadline for most US universities.
- November 30: UC application deadline (high portal traffic expected).
- Indian Liberal Arts Universities: Application portals open (e.g., Ashoka, Krea).
- Canadian Applications: Early submissions and considerations due (varies by university).
- HKU Early Deadline.
December – April: Decision Phase
December
December 1:
- Deadline for several US public universities (e.g., UT Austin).
- Scholarship deadlines for select universities (e.g., Dartmouth, BU, USC, Claremont McKenna).
- Mid-December: REA/ED admission results released.
- Canadian Applications: Some universities require supplemental applications.
January
- January 1 – 15: Regular Decision deadlines for most US universities.
- Deferred Applications: Submit Letters of Continued Interest (LOCI) if applicable.
- US Alumni Interviews: Continue for Regular Decision applicants.
- Key Deadlines & Announcements:
- HKUST main round deadline.
- Canadian university deadlines (varies by institution).
- Early Action/Decision results (e.g., Michigan, Georgia Tech, UIUC).
- January 31: UCAS deadline for most UK undergraduate courses.
- Mid-January: Final deadlines for some Canadian colleges.
February – March
February:
- US alumni interviews continue.
- NUS (Singapore) key deadlines (program-specific).
March:
- Regular Decision results for most US universities (e.g., UC, Ivy League, Stanford).
- NTU (Singapore) application deadline.
April – September: Enrollment & Matriculation
April
- Indian Liberal Arts Universities: Ashoka University Round 3 deadline.
- Final Canadian College Decisions: Confirm enrollment choices.
May
- May 1: US College Commitment Deadline: Accept offers and submit deposits.
- Final Decisions: Canadian college confirmations (varies by institution).
June – September
June: Deadlines for Indian Liberal Arts colleges (varies by university).
August – September: Matriculation begins at most universities.
Important Notes
✔ Standardized Test Scores: Submit SAT/ACT scores at least two weeks before application deadlines.
✔ English Proficiency Tests: Must be submitted per university-specific deadlines (varies). ✔ Application Timelines: UCAS, Canadian, and Singaporean universities have varying deadlines and notification dates; verify with official university portals.
✔ Portal Overload Warnings: UC Application (Nov 30) and Common App (Jan 1) experience high traffic—submit early to avoid last-minute issues.
