Our College Guidance team recommends a responsible timeline as students approach the college admission process—one that allows boys to be informed in a timely way, but also to focus appropriately on their Roxbury Latin years.

College Guidance Timeline

This timeline provides an outline of the college application process at Roxbury Latin. However, our office works with each class and individual student closely throughout their junior and senior years on their own unique process.

April

  • Our office hosts a College Night with a guest speaker from an Office of Undergraduate Admission for students and families of Class II and III.

May

  • Take the PPSAT at Roxbury Latin before summer recess.

October

  • Take the PSAT at School. PSAT scores are not sent to colleges; they are simply diagnostic and allow you to better prepare for the SAT. Outstanding scores do, however, allow you to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship.

November

  • Our office hosts an evening event for Class II parents.

December/January

  • Complete the College Guidance Junior Questionnaire over winter break.

January

  • Meet individually with your primary counselor to begin the process and activate your Scoir Account.

March:

  • Take the SATI: Reasoning Test. There are future opportunities to take the test again in May, June, August, October, November, and (for some colleges) December.
  • Consider visiting colleges over spring break, after discussing these visits with your primary counselor. Interview whenever possible, and make these appointments well in advance.

April:

  • Meet a second time with your primary college counselor; begin forming a list of colleges of interest.
  • Our office hosts a College Night with a guest speaker from college admissions.
  • Attend the college fair hosted by the Boston Independent School College Counseling Association.

July and August

  • We recommend using this summer for a meaningful work or enrichment experience.
  • Visit colleges. Interview whenever possible, and make those appointments well in advance.
  • Create a Common Application Account and begin completing the nuts and bolts.
  • Write a rough draft of your Common Application essay.
  • Create an Activities List.
  • Complete an autobiographical essay for the College Guidance Team.
  • We recommend you ask a friend to write a peer recommendation on your behalf.

September and October

  • Meet with your primary counselor upon returning to School. Your parents may also request to meet with us.
  • Continue visiting a range of colleges, using Mondays off and exeats judiciously.
  • Meet with college representatives who visit throughout the fall.
  • The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) becomes available on October 1. Begin this application if you plan to apply for financial aid. You may also begin the CSS PROFILE, which is required by some institutions.
  • Be aware of some early application deadlines in October.

November

  • File your Early Decision and/or Early Action applications and, where offered, complete college interviews.

December

  • Be aware of Regular Decision/priority deadlines that occur in December. Some colleges will require applications in December in order to qualify for merit scholarships or receive an interview.

January

  • File your Regular Decision applications. January 1 and 15 are the most common deadlines for this round.
  • Check your student portals for each college to ensure all of the necessary information has been received. Elect to receive an interview wherever it is offered.
  • Complete and submit your financial aid forms. All students applying for financial aid will complete the FAFSA; many colleges will also require the CSS PROFILE.

April

  • You will hear back from colleges this month.
  • If you are placed on the Waitlist, you must reply to the college to let them know if you would like to stay on the waitlist.

May

  • Notify one college of your decision to attend by May 1. This is the National Candidate Reply Date.