<p>Twincities: If you can afford it, I really hope you will consider having your son re-visit the schools he is most interested in to put down for “first choice”. I suggest paying very close attention to which school has the best program and gives the most AP credits (if that is important to you). My son put down USC as his “first choice” right in the beginning so I am sorry that I can’t help you answer your other question about timing first choice.</p>