Summer Before College Checklist: Everything to Do Before Move-In

By the Dormbound team · Updated

You picked a college — now the summer checklist. Every step from your enrollment deposit to move-in day, in order.

Between 10% and 40% of students who commit to a college in the spring never show up in the fall — usually because a form, a payment, or a deadline slipped over the summer. Here's everything in order. Dates are typical; your college's student portal has the real ones.

May

  1. 1

    Pay your enrollment depositby May 1

    May 1 is the national deadline at most colleges. Ask about a waiver if the deposit is a hardship.

  2. 2

    Tell the other colleges you’re not comingby May 5

    A short note through each portal frees your spot for someone on the waitlist.

  3. 3

    Withdraw from waitlists you no longer wantby May 10

    Stay on a waitlist only if you’d switch — that would mean losing your deposit.

  4. 4

    Activate your student portal and college emailby May 15

    Every deadline below shows up there. Check it weekly all summer.

  5. 5

    Submit the housing application and roommate formby May 31

    Rooms are often assigned in order of application, and some colleges require a housing deposit.

June

  1. 1

    Finish financial aid stepsby June 1

    Accept your grants, send any verification documents, and accept or decline work-study.

  2. 2

    Register for orientationby June 1

    Sessions fill up. Orientation is often when you pick classes and get your ID.

  3. 3

    Send your final high school transcriptby June 30

    Ask your counselor after graduation. Colleges can cancel admission without it — and they check senior grades.

July

  1. 1

    Accept or decline loans; finish loan paperworkby July 1

    Federal loans need entrance counseling and a Master Promissory Note at studentaid.gov. Borrow only what you need.

  2. 2

    Send AP scores for college creditby July 15

    Choose your college as a score recipient in your College Board account. Credit can save a semester of classes.

  3. 3

    Submit immunization and health formsby July 15

    Most colleges block class registration until these are in.

  4. 4

    Take placement testsby July 15

    Math and language placement decide which first-year courses you can take. Check what your college requires.

  5. 5

    Register for first-semester classesby July 31

    Usually at or after orientation. Ask your advisor which classes your major needs first.

August

  1. 1

    Enroll in or waive student health insuranceby August 1

    If you’re covered by a family plan, you’ll usually need to submit a waiver or be charged automatically.

  2. 2

    Pay the first bill or set up a payment planby August 1

    Compare the bill with your aid. If they don’t match, call the financial aid office before the due date.

  3. 3

    Plan move-in: date, travel, packing listby August 10

    Check your move-in time slot and what your room already has before you buy anything.