Academic Timeline 11th-12th grade
JUNIOR YEAR
September:
· Sign up for the October PSAT. Remember that junior year PSAT scores are used as a qualifier for National Merit Scholarships. The PSAT provides an opportunity to practice before taking the SAT Reasoning Test. Refer to collegeboard.com for more information about this test.
October:
· Take the PSAT.
December:
· Review PSAT results to identify areas of strength and areas that need improvement.
January/February:
· Parents attend Junior Parent Night sponsored by the Counseling Office.
· Students attend group counseling meetings regarding the college search process.
· Schedule some college visits during February vacation.
· Determine which spring months you will designate to take the SAT Reasoning Test. Early registration for these tests increases the likelihood of receiving your first choice test site.
Winter/Spring of Junior Year:
· Meet with counselor to prepare a list of colleges to explore. Students are encouraged to continue exploring colleges of interest and documenting requirements for application (required tests, application deadlines, types of applications accepted…).
· Contact colleges of interest to request information.
March:
· Meet with your counselor to discuss course selection. When selecting senior year courses, challenge yourself and choose elective courses that are related to your college major.
· Register for the May SAT Reasoning Test prior to the deadline.
April:
· Plan college visits for April vacation.
· Register for June SAT Reasoning prior to the deadline.
May:
· Plan visits to colleges during the summer.
· Review summer options: performing community service, work, internship, summer programs, etc.
· Decide which teachers you will ask to write letters of recommendations. It is a good idea to ask at least one teacher whose subject is related to your college major.
· Recommended date to take SAT Reasoning Test at AHS (May 7).
· Take Advanced Placement Exams if enrolled in Advanced Placement classes.
June:
· Recommended date to take SAT Subject Tests (June 4).
· Meet with counselor to discuss any unanswered questions.
July/August:
· Visit colleges, take tours, and interview.
· Continue to refine college list.
· Collect college applications, consider essay topics, and write rough drafts of essays.
· Organize applications, create folders for each college, track application deadlines for admission and financial aid.
· Register for fall SAT testing.
· Research outside scholarships (see school counseling website for links)
SENIOR YEAR
September:
· Parents attend Senior Parent Night.
· Students attend group counseling seminars during the school day.
· Early Decision/Early Action candidates must schedule an appointment with their counselor to discuss college applications.
· Sign up for SAT/ACT tests unless you are satisfied with your test scores from last spring.
· English Language learners register for the TOEFL exam.
· Ask two teachers to write letters of recommendation for college. Provide each teacher a list of schools where you are applying.
· Schedule admissions meetings with colleges that require or recommend interviews. Fine arts students must schedule auditions.
· Sign up on Naviance to meet with visiting college representatives in the School Counseling Office.
October:
· Meet with School Counselor to finalize your list of colleges. Determine whether you have a reasonable list of colleges including “Reach” “Realistic” and “Safety” schools.
· Begin to complete college applications.
· Work on college essay in English class.
· Request SAT/ACT/AP scores be sent to colleges.
· Attend Financial Aid Night at AHS.
November:
· Continue to meet with college representatives at AHS.
· Conclude college visits and interviews.
· Complete applications.
· Request transcripts and counselor recommendations be sent to colleges within the timeline recommended by the counselors.
· If applying Early Decision you may need to complete a CSS Profile application for financial aid consideration.
· Be aware of college application deadlines. Be prepared to ‘beat’ the deadlines, rather than just to ‘meet’ the deadlines!
December:
· Complete SAT/ACT/TOEFL testing.
· Review college application deadlines
· Submit transcript requests through Naviance for schools with January 1st deadlines. Transcripts will NOT be processed during school vacation week.
· Complete remaining college applications on time.
· Follow up with your school counselor to resolve any outstanding questions.
January:
· Continue to research and apply for outside scholarships.
· Follow up with colleges to confirm that all application materials have been received.
· Complete financial aid applications including the FAFSA for all schools. If required by certain private colleges, complete the CSS Profile, as well as any institutional (private or public) financial forms.
· Early Decision students must submit a deposit on or before the deadline specified by that college.
February:
· Complete the Arlington High School scholarship application to be considered for many community-based scholarships. All students should apply!
March/April:
· Compare offers of admission and financial aid from each school.
· Visit colleges, which offer open house programs. When offered, sit in on classes and meet with current students.
· Discuss options with parents, and make a final enrollment decision! See counselor with any questions.
· Send an enrollment deposit to the school you have chosen to attend. Deposits are due May 1st.
· Notify financial aid office of the school you choose to attend that you accept their offer for assistance. This notification is also due May 1st. Failure to do so may result in loss of financial assistance!
· Send letters to the colleges you choose not to attend informing them of your decision. Remember to thank them for their consideration.
May:
· Deposits are due for May 1st enrollment deadline.
· Complete senior survey.
· Thank teachers and counselors who wrote college recommendations.
· Follow up with potential outside scholarships.
· Prepare for graduation!