May 2026’s Newsletter
The Critical Six Weeks
Every Step Leads to Accepted™
Hello, families.
We're in the final sprint of senior year, and for rising seniors, the most critical window of the admissions cycle has opened. AP exams are wrapping up, graduation is in sight, and the real work — essays, college list finalization, and summer strategy — is just beginning. These next four weeks determine who shows up in September with a plan and who shows up scrambling.
If you haven't started moving on your college roadmap yet, this is your wake-up call. Summer moves faster than you think.
The May Admissions Moment
AP Scores Arriving
Early scores are landing. If you're applying to test-optional schools, strong AP scores become part of your academic narrative.
Summer Program Spaces Filling Fast
Waitlists are the only options left at top programs. If you haven't registered, explore backup options immediately or plan a different strategy.
Essay Prep Accelerates
Rising seniors who haven't started brainstorming are now behind. The families who start NOW finish with revision time. Others panic in August.
Transition Season Begins
Seniors are finishing high school. Rising seniors are preparing for the biggest year of their lives. This shift needs a clear plan.
Critical Dates & What They Mean
AP Score Release Window — Monitor Your Portals
Scores are rolling out. For test-optional applicants, strong AP scores (4s and 5s) strengthen your application profile. Review your results and decide your testing strategy for junior year immediately.
Rising Seniors: Lock Your College List NOW
By May 31, you should have 10-15 target schools researched and finalized. Waiting until June wastes valuable brainstorming time. Create your list this week — not next month.
Personal Essay Draft 1 — Complete It
Your first draft doesn't need to be good. It needs to exist. Getting something on the page by mid-June gives you all of July and August to revise. Starting in August guarantees a rushed, weak essay.
Summer Transition & Active Essay Development
School ends. Summer begins. By June 30, you should be fully in essay-writing mode, with a realistic plan for your supplemental essays, test dates, and college research.
July: Essay Iteration & Continued Refinement
This is when you revise, get feedback, and strengthen your narratives. Students who have a solid Draft 1 by July 1 finish the month with competitive essays. Students who are still brainstorming in July finish in panic mode.
What Every Grade Should Be Doing Right Now
May looks different depending on where your student is in the pipeline. Here's your checklist.
You're Almost There
- Finish your finals and make the most of your last weeks of high school
- Ensure all final transcripts are sent to your chosen college
- If waitlisted: submit a strong Letter of Continued Interest now (not in July)
- Complete housing deposits and orientation requirements by June 15
- Review your college's summer preparation materials and course recommendations
- Plan your summer (work, travel, rest, or community service — you've earned it)
The Next 6 Weeks Will Change Everything
- Finalize your college list by May 31 (10-15 researched schools, not maybes)
- Request letters of recommendation from teachers before school ends THIS WEEK
- Complete your personal statement Draft 1 by June 15 (it doesn't need to be perfect)
- Begin exploring supplemental essay prompts for your target schools
- Create a summer study schedule: 30 mins/day for essays, 2+ hours/day for test prep if needed
- Plan your SAT/ACT final attempt for August (most rising seniors take it early fall)
Build Your Foundation Before Summer
- Finalize your summer program or internship selection (or find alternatives if waitlisted)
- Deepen your commitment to 2-3 meaningful extracurriculars (NOT adding more)
- Identify a leadership opportunity or challenge within your current activities
- Start SAT/ACT prep planning — plan your first official attempt for 11th grade
- Begin your achievement journal: document awards, accomplishments, growth moments
- Schedule a free consultation with an advisor to map your multi-year strategy
"You have 42 days until summer officially begins. Students who use those 42 days strategically — locking their lists, requesting recommendations, and starting essays — finish summer with momentum. Everyone else spends July catching up."
— Roman B. Fernando, Founder · Stepping Stones College Educational AdvisorsThe Next 6 Weeks Will Determine Your Fall
Right now, you're at a crossroads. Seniors are finishing one chapter. Rising seniors are opening the next. For rising seniors especially, what you do between now and June 30 will directly impact the quality of your essays, your test scores, and your overall application strength come September.
Students who request recommendations this week (while teachers remember them) and lock their college lists by May 31 have the entire month of June to brainstorm and draft. Students who wait until June 15 to request recommendations are competing for teacher availability when everyone else is asking too. Students who don't finalize lists by May 31 spend June researching instead of writing.
Essays are not written in August. They're revised in August. The students who show up in September with competitive essays started writing in May or early June. The students who panic in August are the ones who didn't.
Your Three-Week Action Plan (May 18 – June 8)
Week 1 (May 18-24): Request recommendation letters from your top 2-3 teachers. Be specific about which schools and when you need them. Give teachers 2-3 weeks of lead time.
Week 2 (May 25-31): Finalize your college list. Research 10-15 schools. Understand their mission, values, and what they're looking for. You can't write strong essays for schools you don't understand.
Week 3 (June 1-8): Start brainstorming personal statement topics. Aim to complete Draft 1 by June 15. Perfection is the enemy of progress — just start writing.
Our Student Success Package includes structured essay coaching, timeline accountability, and personalized feedback on every draft. Learn how we guide rising seniors through this exact process →
Why Families Move Fast Right Now
Late May and June are when intentional families separate from those hoping things work out. Here's what strategic families are doing.
List Strategy
Research-backed college recommendations. Reach/target/safety aligned to your profile.
Essay Coaching
From brainstorm to revision. Feedback on every draft before you hit submit.
Timeline Accountability
Know what's due when. Never miss a deadline. Stay ahead of panic.
Summer Momentum
Start smart. Finish strong. Application season becomes manageable, not chaotic.
Your Stepping Stones Toolkit
Our Website
Explore our student success packages, services, and how we guide families to acceptance
The Blog
In-depth articles on essay writing, summer planning, testing strategy, and financial aid
The Bookstore
Guides and resources including How to Build a Competitive College Profile and our Essay Bootcamp workbook
Time Is Running Out
You have six weeks until summer officially begins. Rising seniors who use these six weeks intentionally —
who request recommendations now, finalize lists by May 31, and start essays immediately — finish June with essays drafted,
not brainstorms.
Your free Discovery Call is where we build YOUR timeline, YOUR college list, and YOUR essay strategy.
Not a generic roadmap. YOUR personalized plan.
No pressure. No commitment. Just clarity, strategy, and momentum heading into summer.
