<Tr> <Td> Revisit accepting schools </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td> May: deposit is due </Td> </Tr> <P> The admissions process usually begins during a student's eleventh grade when a student meets with a guidance counselor, selects some colleges, and perhaps visits a few campuses . The summer before twelfth grade is a time when many students finalize application plans and perhaps begin writing essays . Further, they decide whether to apply by early or regular decision . International students may need to take tests showing English - language proficiency such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE Academic . The twelfth grade is when applications are submitted . The CSS can be submitted by October first of the student's twelfth grade, while the FAFSA becomes available on the web after January first . </P> <P> There are several college and university rankings guides published, and they include the U.S. News and World Report, Business Insider, Money Magazine, The Washington Monthly's "College Rankings" issue, and Forbes "America's Top Colleges" ranking, as well as a variety of other groups and organizations that publish rankings based on different factors and using different methodology . For a more comprehensive and detailed look at U.S. university rankings, with top - ranked schools identified, see Rankings of universities in the United States . </P>

When do most schools require that applications be submitted