05 · Monthly Action Plan
Maria Santos, below is your sequenced month-by-month roadmap from now through early senior fall. Every action item is timed to build on the one before it — course scheduling unlocks academic credibility, SAT prep runs in parallel, research ownership grows over summer, and essays come last once you have real material to write about.
Phase 1: Spring of Sophomore Year (March – May 2026)
| Month | Action Items | Key Deadlines |
|---|
| March 2026 |
- Meet with your school counselor this week to lock in AP Calculus AB and AP Physics 1 (or AP Physics C if available) for your junior year schedule. These courses are non-negotiable for your Biology/Pre-Med profile at Johns Hopkins and UCSD.
- Also request AP Biology if not already completed — confirm your full junior course load addresses the advanced math/science gaps identified in your profile.
- Begin SAT prep: take a full-length diagnostic practice test (College Board Bluebook app, free) to establish your baseline score. You have not provided SAT scores yet — this diagnostic will set your prep timeline.
|
Course selection deadline (check with your school — typically late March/early April) |
| April 2026 |
- Based on your diagnostic, build a 10–12 week SAT study plan targeting a first official sitting in August or October 2026. Dedicate 5–7 hours/week to prep, focusing on weak areas from your diagnostic.
- Begin researching independent research opportunities for summer: identify 3–5 biology/biomedical labs at local universities, community college programs, or virtual research mentorship platforms (e.g., Polygence, Pioneer Academics). Reach out to PIs or program coordinators with a brief introduction email.
- Register for your preferred SAT test date (August 23 or October 4, 2026).
|
SAT registration opens ~6 weeks before test date |
| May 2026 |
- Finish sophomore year strong — your cumulative GPA of 3.85 has room to climb. Target all A's in final exams to close the GPA gap before junior year.
- Confirm summer research placement or independent project plan. If no formal lab placement materializes, define a self-directed research sub-project with a clear question, methodology, and mentor (even a remote advisor counts).
- Continue SAT prep on schedule.
|
Final exams; summer program application deadlines (varies) |
Phase 2: Summer Before Junior Year (June – August 2026)
| Month | Action Items | Key Deadlines |
|---|
| June 2026 |
- Launch your independent research sub-project. This is the single most important action this summer. Whether in a lab or self-directed, begin data collection or literature review by mid-June. Document everything in a research journal — you will reference this in applications.
- SAT prep intensifies: increase to 8–10 hours/week if targeting the August test date.
- Identify 1–2 biology/science competitions with fall deadlines (e.g., Regeneron STS registration opens in June, Siemens regional deadlines, BioGENEius). You have not provided information about national-level awards yet — these competitions are your path to earning them.
|
Regeneron STS opens ~June; note November submission deadline |
| July 2026 |
- Research project: reach a meaningful midpoint milestone — preliminary results, completed literature review, or initial data analysis. This pacing ensures you have presentable findings by fall.
- Take 2–3 full-length SAT practice tests under timed conditions. Adjust study plan based on score trends.
- Begin exploring competition submission requirements so you can shape your research deliverables accordingly.
|
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| August 2026 |
- Take the SAT (August 23, 2026 — if ready). If diagnostic and practice scores are not yet in your target range, defer to the October sitting and continue prep.
- Research project: complete primary data collection or experimentation phase. Begin drafting a research abstract/summary.
- Prepare for junior year: review AP Calculus and AP Physics prerequisites.
|
SAT test date: August 23, 2026 |
Phase 3: Junior Year, Fall Semester (September – December 2026)
| Month | Action Items | Key Deadlines |
|---|
| September 2026 |
- Junior year academics are now your top GPA lever. Prioritize strong starts in AP Calculus, AP Physics, and AP Biology.
- If you deferred the SAT, continue prep and sit for the October 4 test date.
- Continue refining research findings. Present at a local science fair or school symposium if possible.
|
SAT registration deadline for October sitting (~early September) |
| October 2026 |
- SAT sitting (October 4) if not taken in August. You will have a second attempt available in spring if needed.
- Submit research to at least one science competition (check specific deadlines — Regeneron STS is typically mid-November).
- Attend college information sessions or virtual events for Johns Hopkins, UCSD, and UW Seattle. Note supplemental essay prompts and any program-specific requirements (e.g., JHU's interest in research narrative).
|
SAT: October 4, 2026 |
| November – December 2026 |
- Submit Regeneron STS application if applicable (typically due mid-November).
- Focus on first-semester finals — a strong junior fall GPA is the most heavily weighted transcript data point for all three target schools.
- If SAT score is below target, register for a spring 2027 retake (March or May).
- Begin a running list of essay themes and personal anecdotes based on your research experience and pre-med motivation.
|
Regeneron STS deadline (~mid-November); semester finals |
Phase 4: Junior Year, Spring Semester (January – May 2027)
| Month | Action Items | Key Deadlines |
|---|
| January – February 2027 |
- SAT retake prep (if needed). Target the March 2027 sitting for final score improvement.
- Expand research: submit to additional competitions, seek a poster presentation opportunity, or begin drafting a paper for a student journal.
- Maintain strong junior year grades — this is your last full transcript before applications.
|
SAT registration for March sitting |
| March – May 2027 |
- Final SAT attempt if retaking (March 2027). After this, shift all standardized testing energy to AP exams.
- AP exams in May — strong scores (4–5) in Calculus, Physics, and Biology validate your coursework and close remaining credibility gaps.
- Finalize your activities list — you have not provided extracurricular information yet, Maria. Before summer, compile a complete list of all activities, leadership roles, volunteer work, and employment so your essays and Common App can reflect the full picture.
|
AP exams: first two weeks of May 2027 |
Phase 5: Summer Before Senior Year — Essay Season (June – August 2027)
| Month | Action Items | Key Deadlines |
|---|
| June – July 2027 |
- Draft all personal essays and PIQs. By now you have research milestones, AP results, and competition outcomes to draw from — your essays should reference concrete experiences, not hypotheticals.
- Write the Common App personal statement (first full draft by end of June; revised draft by end of July).
- Draft supplemental essays for Johns Hopkins, UCSD (PIQs), and UW Seattle. UCSD requires 4 PIQs of 350 words each — budget 3 weeks for drafting and 2 weeks for revision.
- Solicit 2–3 rounds of feedback from teachers, counselors, or trusted mentors.
|
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| August 2027 |
- Finalize and polish all essays. Complete final revisions based on feedback.
- Request letters of recommendation from your AP science and math teachers (ask before school starts so they have lead time).
- Complete the Common App activities section and additional information section.
- Set up your application accounts for all three target schools.
|
Common App opens August 1, 2027 |
Phase 6: Senior Year Fall — Submission (September – December 2027)
| Month | Action Items | Key Deadlines |
|---|
| September – October 2027 |
- Submit Johns Hopkins Early Decision application if JHU is your clear first choice (ED deadline: typically November 1). Otherwise, prepare all three as Regular Decision.
- Final essay polish and submission of any early-action applications.
- Confirm all recommendation letters have been submitted.
|
JHU ED: ~November 1; UW Seattle priority: ~November 15 |
| November – December 2027 |
- Submit UW Seattle application (priority deadline ~November 15).
- Submit UCSD application via UC Application (deadline: November 30).
- Submit any remaining Regular Decision applications (typically January 1 deadlines).
- Complete FAFSA and CSS Profile for financial aid (FAFSA opens October 1).
|
UC deadline: November 30; FAFSA opens October 1 |
Critical Gaps to Address Now
Maria, as you execute this plan, note that you have not yet provided information on your extracurricular activities, community involvement, or any current test scores. These gaps make it impossible to fully calibrate competition targets and essay angles. Action: compile and share your complete activity profile as soon as possible so that the summer research and competition strategy can be tailored to complement — not duplicate — what you're already doing.