Freshman Year
- Select high school courses with a high school guidance counselor, and confirm that
classes will contribute to college requirements.
- Discuss academic plans for the next four years.
- Research colleges of interest.
- Discuss college with older friends and family.
- Get involved. Involvement in extracurricular activities can help develop skills that classrooms
may never teach.
Sophomore Year
September
- Find out about the PSAT and the PLAN, preliminary preparation tests for the SAT
and the ACT. With high scores on these preliminary tests, one may qualify for academic
recognition and possible scholarships. Both tests are scheduled from October through
December.
October/November
- The PSAT and SAT have similar questions; consider this a practice for the SAT. PSAT
scores from junior year qualify one for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.
December/January
- Meet with a guidance counselor to review the results of the PSAT and PLAN tests.
Review the material included with the test results.
February/March
- Visit the high school's college guidance office to research colleges, view literature,
read guidebooks and discover Internet resources.
April/May
- Visit the guidance counselor to discuss registering for the June SAT Subject Test.
This specialized test is on academic subjects that you have already completed.
- Discuss with the guidance counselor enrolling in summer school or taking a summer
course at a local college.
June/July
- Some colleges require three SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II) that are given in
early June. Tests should include math and writing. You will be taking these tests
again in your junior year and you'll have the option of sending your best scores
to colleges. PSATs will be taken in October. Consider a summer PSAT/SAT prep course.
Junior Year
Going to college improves earning potential and career satisfaction. To find the
most appropriate schools and the best sources of financial aid, keep the following
in mind.
SAT & ACT Testing
- Complete the necessary requirements to take or retake the SAT or ACT tests. Take
practice tests again before going to the exams to become familiar with the format
of the questions.
Evaluate College Choices
- Research academics and dorm life. Be prepared to identify what is important to you--a
specific degree, a big city or small-town campus, a college that's close to home
or one that’s far away, an atmosphere that's culturally diverse, a school with special
recognition, etc.
Apply For Scholarships
- College can be very expensive, and most students will need financial assistance
to afford it. The more information one has about sources of college funding, the
easier it may be to attend ones college of choice. Finding out how and where to
search for grants, student loans, and scholarships can be extremely time consuming, and
often ends with frustration. However, it doesn't have to be. Visit Scholarships.com
to conduct a free college scholarship search, and take advantage of the financial
aid information available to you at no charge. Begin early, and keep in mind that
many scholarship and grant deadlines occur during the early part of a student’s
senior year.
September/October
- Discuss and review your coursework for the upcoming year. Ask your counselor to
review your choices and to make sure that they will contribute to your college requirements.
Register for the October PSAT. The PSAT qualifies students for the National Merit
Scholarship Competition. With a high PSAT and SAT score, good grades, and a recommendation
from high school, one may become a National Merit Scholarship Finalist. Finalists
qualify not only for academic distinction, but also for scholarships.
November/December
- Begin financial aid research by exploring grants, scholarships and work-study programs
with college financial aid offices and with a high school counselor. Do research
via the Internet.
- Review PSAT test results with a guidance counselor. Consult with your guidance counselor
about taking the ACT, SAT, or the SAT Subject Tests. Determine which tests are required
at your colleges of interest.
- Remember to obtain a social security number. If you do not have one, visit the closest
Social Security office.
January/February
- Prepare a preliminary list of colleges to investigate and possibly attend. Visit
with a guidance counselor to discuss your list.
- Write to the colleges on the list and ask for catalogues, community activity information,
admissions literature and special financial aid options.
- Register for the March SAT. Purchase an SAT prep guidebook and consider a prep course.
March/April
- Check the SAT I, SAT Subject Test, and ACT test dates.
- Begin to narrow list of colleges.
- Consider summer plans: summer job, summer school, summer course or program at a
local college.
May/June
- Enroll in summer school, a course at a local college, apply for an internship, or
work as a volunteer in your field of interest.
- Review literature received from the colleges on short list. Pursue other information
resources about these colleges. Visit the college's website.
- Consider planning visits to colleges during the summer. Inquire about attending
an interview. They book up quickly; set them up as early as possible.
July/August
- Tour colleges and conduct interviews. Include family members or incorporate these
visits with family's vacation plans. Plan fall visits, if necessary.
- Begin preparation for the application process: assemble portfolios, collect writing
samples, draft application essays, and, if applicable, contact the coaches at the
college to inquire about athletic scholarships.
Senior Year
August/September
- Register for the October/November SAT and/or SAT Subject Test, or October ACT.
- Review college application deadlines and special application requirements.
- Ask teachers, coaches, and employers to write a letter of recommendation.
- Visit with guidance counselor to review list of colleges, making sure choices are
appropriate for academic and personal requirements.
- Update any personal records.
- Visit Scholarships.com to conduct a free college scholarship search and to research
financial aid.
- Visit the public and high school library, bookstore, and the Internet to research
any additional sources of scholarships and financial aid.
- Plan visits, and set up interviews to those colleges not previously visited.
October/November
- Register for the December/January SAT and/or SAT Subject Tests, or December ACT.
- Develop a schedule of admissions and financial aid deadlines.
- Visit Scholarships.com for college scholarships and financial aid information. Update
personal profile information to include any changes or last minute additions.
- Visit guidance counselor to make sure transcript and test scores have been sent
to selected colleges.
- Submit applications for early decision/early action programs. Prepare applications
for back-up choices.
- Visit high school guidance office, bank or public library to inquire about scheduled
financial aid presentations.
December/January
- File all remaining college applications. Have test scores sent to those colleges.
- Obtain all financial aid forms that may be required by intended colleges.
- Visit Scholarships.com, update personal profile information to include any changes
or last minute additions.
- Obtain a Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) (available at high schools,
colleges and libraries, or by calling 1-800-4-fed-aid. FAFSA is also available online--along
with additional college information at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov). Complete, copy,
and submit FAFSA (Don't wait for the deadline). Parents and students should compile
income tax information and complete and file income tax returns early to complete
the FAFSA application.
- Check to determine if any other financial aid forms are required.
February/March
- Make sure that all required financial aid forms have been submitted.
- Many private scholarships have March 1 application deadlines. Visit Scholarships.com
to update your personal profile information, apply for any new scholarship awards
discovered.
- If required, send copies of income tax returns to financial aid offices.
- Receive Student Aid Report (SAR). This should occur approximately 4 weeks after
you submit FAFSA. Contact school's financial aid office to ask if they need a copy
of the SAR.
- Monitor all applications, and make sure that all materials have been completed,
sent and received on time.
April/May
- Sign and return financial aid forms.
- Receive admissions notifications and compare financial aid packages. Send any required
deposits prior to their due date.
- Send final transcript and student loan applications to chosen college. Contact financial
aid office to check status.
- Visit Scholarships.com.
June/July
- Complete any remaining financial aid forms.
- Pay all college bills due.
- Visit Scholarships.com, it's never too early to look for next year.
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