Accepted early to USC, Dawson finds his last night in Capeside has arrived much sooner than everyone had originally anticipated. While Dawson looks forward to spending the evening with Joey, Jack and Jen, Mitch has other ideas. Meanwhile, Dawson's not the only goodbye Jen has in store for her, as she bids farewell to the house she's been sharing with Grams. Finally, Joey says goodbye to Dawson in her own way.

The Class of 2001 graduation brings friends and family together as you prepare to separate them.

Gretchen's return to college forces Dawson to make an important decision; Jen resists when Grandma wants to sell the house to pay for college.

While fueling a couple of potential romances, Capeside's prom threatens the future of two more.

As Gale struggles with an outdated baby, Joey worries that she might be pregnant.

School Kick Day sends Dawson and Gretchen on a trip to Maine; Jen takes Joey to New York to confront her father.

Joey's enthusiasm for college is tarnished when he learns how much it will cost him.

The results of the Senior Polls have ramifications for Dawson, Joey, and Pacey, as the three try to ignore the tauntings of pollmaster Drue Valentine. While Pacey and Joey try to eke out some time alone together, Dawson finds his night alone with Gretchen more awkward than he'd expected. Gretchen learns that Joey lied to Dawson about sleeping with Pacey and is angry and Joey is forcing her to lie to her boyfriend. Meanwhile, Jack's suspicious when Jen drags him on some mysterious errands, and his suspicions are confirmed when he realizes just what she's up to.

As Pacey and Joey discuss their first sexual experience, Brooks's death clarifies Dawson and Gretchen's relationship; a psychologist pressures Jen about her past.

While his friends wrestle with sex during a ski trip last year, Dawson discovers that he was given power over Mr. Brooks's life.

Dawson is uncomfortable meeting Gretchen's friends; Joey and Pacey decide to help Drue out of an important date.

Joey decides to help throw a surprise birthday party for Pacey with his mother, not knowing about Pacey's 'birthday curse'. The party goes haywire as Pacey's family makes everyone feel uncomfortable, and Pacey a loser. Dawson becomes upset when he feels that Gretchen doesn't want anyone to know about their relationship and postpones their first real date to go to the party.

Pacey tries to ruin Dawson's efforts to woo his sister; Drue's mischief will end with him and Joey locked in a closet.

Joey can't find a moment alone to study or deal with her feelings. Dawson's collaboration with Brooks begins, rejuvenating his film making spirit. Jen takes Jack to a "Gay-Straight Coalition" meeting but she seems to fit in with the crowd more than Jack does.

Dawson asks Mr. Brooks' advice on becoming a director. Joey takes Pacey to a dinner hosted by an exclusive college.

Dawson, Pacey and Jack are all prime suspects in the masterful senior prank against Principal Peskin, but after their interrogations reveal seemingly air-tight alibis, another culprit surfaces.

The opportunity to take some time off before going to college prompts Andie to try and get everyone together before she leaves.

Andie gets accepted into Harvard in advance, but accomplishing what should be the biggest thing in her life doesn't exactly makes her happy. She decides to explore different paths in her life by going to a rave. In the party, Drue gives Jen drugs, and she gives it to Andie. She tries ecstasy, which has a reaction with her anti-depressives and makes a disastrous combination, which almost leads her to death. Mitch and Gail decide to keep their baby, and things get awkward during the celebration when Gretchen brings Pacey and Joey with her.

Gail drops a bomb at Dawson saying that she might be pregnant. Joey seeks advice from Jen, now that she has the feeling sexual intimacy with Pacey is approaching. Jen tells her to go to the clinic as prevention. Jack is in an awkward situation when a girl is making moves on him, and he feels pressured to tell her he's gay.

Everybody starts to think about their future, and how they are getting into college. Joey's concerned about Pacey not having grades good enough to get into college. Drue makes everybody think it's Jen's birthday so he can make a party. Andie takes over Jack's applications and drives him crazy with her obsession over it. Gretchen is applying for a job as bartender at Mrs. Leery's restaurant, and doesn't exactly tell what happened (or what will happen) with college.

A hurricane that threatens Pacey and Jen forces Dawson and Joey to try to save their lives.

Joey is looking for a new job and gets one at the Yacht Club pretending to know a very affluent family. She is tricked by her boss's son, Dru, who discovers her lies. Mitch (no also a counselor at the school) tells Pacey he's not going to graduate unless he makes up for his bad grades. Pacey doesn't want Joey to know, but Mitch tells Dawson, who tells Joey, showing that he still cares about Pacey. Pacey and Joey have a fight, and Pacey admits he need help.

There is uncertainty in the air when Pacey and Joey return to Capeside after their journey that lasted all summer.