July Checklist for the Class of 2026
This is the home stretch, and for student athletes with aspirations to compete at the collegiate level, it's a time that blends opportunity with responsibility. The next few months will be packed with key decisions: submitting college applications, finalizing test scores, narrowing down your college list, and for many, continuing active engagement in the NCAA recruiting process.
Rising seniors should focus on execution. This means following through on goals set in junior year, completing any remaining academic or testing requirements, and ensuring they’re on track with college admissions timelines. It’s also a crucial window to deepen relationships with college coaches, finalize campus visits, and polish the story you’ll present to admissions committees.
Student athletes can take meaningful steps in this stage of NCAA recruiting by continuing to build visibility, staying academically sharp, and aligning their college list with both athletic opportunities and academic fit. That includes competing in showcases and tournaments, staying proactive in communication with coaches, and ensuring all NCAA eligibility requirements are met.
From an academic standpoint, you’ll want to utilize this time to review your upcoming senior schedule while also considering the few remaining opportunities to take the ACT and/or SAT. Review your scores as it relates to your goals and take the necessary steps to best prepare yourself. We’ll further dive into senior year testing in an upcoming blog post, but today we’re going to keep it simple with five easy steps that’ll set you up for success this fall.
To help you stay organized and maximize your momentum, we’ve compiled a July checklist of 5 key action items—each designed to support your journey from standout high school student athlete to confident college applicant.
1. Confirm Account Details
High school counseling departments utilize various software platforms such as Scoir or Naviance to upload and send official documents to colleges and universities upon your request as the applicant. It’s important to familiarize yourself in advance and confirm your account details, login credentials, and other records are correct. Please note that if you’re at a high school that uses Naviance and are applying via the Common App, your accounts match. One of the biggest hangups students often face is when their email they chose for the Common App doesn’t match the email address on record for Naviance (which is typically a school assigned email). Taking a few minutes to confirm this information and update as necessary will save you potential weeks of frustration during the busy season of admissions.
2. Refine Your College List
By now you hopefully have visited many if not all of the schools on your initial list and you’ve been able to reflect on your experiences. If an initial list was 10-15 schools, this is where we work to cull that down to 6-8 really solid options, depending on circumstances which vary by individual. Why I like this number is because it allows for us to take a very detailed look at each school while still having flexibility as it relates to financial aid award letters when that time comes.
3. Create a Fall Visit Game Plan
Now that you have refined your college list, it’s time to create a fall visit game plan as it relates to prospective student events on campus. This could be your opportunity to take a more immersive look at campus life while also utilizing the opportunity to demonstrate further interest. Begin by connecting with your regional admissions representative and inquiring about upcoming events in which you could participate in on campus as a prospective student.
4. Create a Calendar of Deadlines
Deadlines sneak up on all of us. At POLARIS, we help reduce that stress by providing every student athlete with a personalized calendar of key deadlines. Our families receive their calendars in July for the year ahead but if you’re interested in making your own, we highly recommend it!
5. Check-in with Your Recommenders
Letters of recommendation are a HUGE element in the college admissions process. I’ve always advised my students to obtain their letters before the conclusion of their junior year but if you haven’t already done so, do not hit the panic button. While it is summer break and you may not be able to connect with your teachers and counselor, it doesn’t hurt to try.
Reach out to them via email with the following: your updated resume, career aspirations, and even a self-written letter of recommendation–yes, it sounds odd but I’ve always found it to be a super useful tool for faculty in regards to hearing YOUR voice as it relates to you as the applicant. Additionally, it also serves as a great reflective experience for you. Give it a shot!
By reaching out to your two teachers (please don’t request more, they’re all super busy) and counselor in advance of the start of school, you put yourself at an advantage. The return to school is a very busy time for all parties involved and letters of recommendation tend to take a backseat. Reach out now, circle back if you need to, and visit them in-person during their in-service week. You’ll have your letters uploaded well in advance of your peers with a self-advocating and proactive approach.
Final Thought
Senior year is your moment to lead—with purpose, direction, and clarity. The work you put in this summer will set the tone for your college applications, athletic recruitment, and personal growth. Whether you're narrowing your college list, finalizing your testing strategy, or preparing application materials, now is the time to move from preparation to action.
With expert guidance from the team at POLARIS and support from our trusted test prep partner, Revolution Prep, you don’t have to navigate this alone. We’re here to help you finish strong, advocate with confidence, and step into senior year fully prepared.
Let’s make this summer count and set the stage for a successful senior year—and the college journey that follows.