Admissions Timeline for Parents and Legal Contributors

The path to college is a process that typically starts in high school. Our Undergraduate Admissions Office is devoted to helping students and their families through this important and exciting time by arranging visits, hosting events, and answering questions to help you meet future goals and craft a fulfilling life. And, we want you to experience the many ways that Alvernia can help you do this!

To aid those with questions, we offer this general timeline. Please feel free to email the Undergraduate Admissions Office or call us at 610-796-8269 with questions about attending Alvernia.

Freshman & Sophomore Years

Focus: Building a strong foundation

Encourage your student to explore academic and extracurricular interests.
Emphasize the importance of maintaining good grades; strong GPAs open more doors.
Start talking about potential career interests and the type of college experience they might enjoy (e.g., large vs. small, urban vs. rural).
Suggest taking practice PSAT exams to build test-taking confidence.
Introduce them to college search platforms (e.g., College Board, BigFuture).

Junior Year

Fall

Research colleges together based on academic interests, size, location, and affordability.
Visit colleges virtually or in person to get a feel for campus culture.
Help them register for the PSAT to qualify for National Merit Scholarships.

Winter

Create a timeline for standardized testing (SAT/ACT).
Discuss financial aid and saving strategies; use tools like the Federal Student Aid Estimator to estimate aid eligibility.
Encourage your child to seek leadership roles in extracurriculars.

Spring

Have your student take their first SAT and ACT.
Narrow down a list of colleges to 10-15 based on research and visits.
Encourage them to connect with admissions reps at fairs or through emails to demonstrate interest.
Begin exploring scholarship opportunities.

Summer

Help your child begin drafting their college essay.
Prepare a resume of their activities, honors, and volunteer experiences.
Encourage summer activities such as internships, part-time work, or volunteerism.

Senior Year

Fall

Finalize the college list (6-8 schools: reach, match, safety).
Help them organize deadlines for applications, financial aid, and scholarships.
Assist with FAFSA (available starting October 1).
Ensure they request teacher recommendations and transcripts early.

Winter

Review college applications together before submission.
Confirm test scores have been sent to all schools.
Research housing options and visit accepted student events, if possible.

Spring

Discuss and compare financial aid offers.
Visit top-choice schools again if needed to make a final decision.
Celebrate their college decision!

Parental Role Throughout the Process

Support, don’t pressure: This is your student’s journey. Be a guide, not the decision-maker.
Stay organized: Create a shared calendar for deadlines and tasks.
Be realistic about finances: Have open discussions about cost expectations and limits.
Encourage independence: Let them take the lead in communicating with colleges.