Fall 2025: Key College & Test Prep Dates for Each Grade

Fall can feel like a whirlwind. School starts up, clubs are back in action, and if you’re a high school student in Los Angeles, there’s a good chance you’ve got a big to-do list in front of you.  Here are the most important dates to keep on your radar this season. 

Seniors (Class of 2026)

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Application Deadlines & Openings

• August 1 – Common App opens

• August 1 – UC application opens

• August 13 (5pm PST)  – Mulholland Prep UCAS Workshop

• October 1 – UC application submission window begins

• October 1 – CSU application opens (via Cal State Apply)

• November 1 – Early Action (EA) and Early Decision (ED) deadlines begin (check each college individually!)

• November 30 – Final deadline to submit UC and CSU applications

• December 15–31 – Most EA/ED admissions decisions released

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 Financial Aid & Scholarships

• October 1 – CSS Profile opens (required by many private schools)

• December 2025–March 2026 – Local scholarship deadlines (like Posse, Hispanic Scholarship Fund, and others—check individual deadlines)

• Date TBD (likely December 2025 or January 2026) – FAFSA opens (due to a likely late release again this year—watch for announcements)

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Test Dates (ACT/SAT)

Still need to take your standardized test? Make sure to sign up for a test date that leaves enough time to receive and send your scores. (Check individual school requirements and deadlines)

ACT: 

September 6

Register by August 1

October 18

Register by September 12

December 13

Register by November 7

February 14, 2026

Register by January 9

April 11, 2026

Register by March 6

SAT:

August 23

Register by August 8

September 13

Register by August 29

October 4

Register by September 19

November 8

Register by October 24

December 6

Register by November 21

Be sure to register about a month ahead of each test date to avoid late fees!

Juniors (Class of 2027)

This is your prep year: college visits, test prep, and building your activities list.

• October 15–November 15 – Great window for visiting colleges while they’re in session

• Fall–Winter 2025 – Start SAT/ACT prep if you haven’t already (aim for your first test in Spring 2026)

• December 2025–January 2026 – Plan to take the PSAT/NMSQT 

Sophomores (Class of 2028)

You’re not applying yet, but you are building the foundation.

• September–December 2025 – Focus on grades and activities. Strong academics + interests now = more options later!

• Fall 2025 – Great time to explore interests through clubs, volunteering, and enrichment programs

Freshmen (Class of 2029)

Welcome to high school! The most important things right now?

• Establish good study habits and routines. 

• Get involved in something that interests you—clubs, sports, arts, service

• Stay curious—you don’t need to have it all figured out, but it helps to be engaged

All Freshman, Sophomores, and Juniors (2027-2029)

Application deadlines for cool internships for next summer tend to be in December/January/February. Check out this blog post for an extensive list of programs. 

The best way to reduce stress around deadlines is to know them in advance. Take a few minutes to put important ones on your calendar now. And remember, Mulholland Prep is here to help at every step.

Important Links

• Common App – https://www.commonapp.org

• UC Application – https://apply.universityofcalifornia.edu

• CSU Application (Cal State Apply) – https://www.calstate.edu/apply

• FAFSA – https://studentaid.gov (watch for 2025-2026 updates)

• CSS Profile – https://cssprofile.collegeboard.org

• SAT Registration – https://satsuite.collegeboard.org/sat

• ACT Registration – https://www.act.org

• College Board BigFuture Scholarships – https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/bigfuture-scholarships

• Scholarships for LA Students (via LAUSD) – https://a-g.lausd.org/apps/pages/index.jsp?uREC_ID=4403119&type=d&pREC_ID=2628659

• Mulholland Prep College Counseling – https://mulhollandprep.com/counseling/

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