College Checklist By Grade

Freshmen:

• Meet with your counselor and start planning your four-year class plan.

Plan a challenging program of classes to take! The courses you take in high school  show colleges what kind of goals you set for yourself.

• Visit on campus resources... even if they are remote!  Check out the Library, Counseling Offices, and the College & Career Center to become familiar with all they have to offer.

• Establish strong study habits and time management techniques! Now is the time to organize yourself so you can stay organized throughout the year. 

• Get involved with extracurricular activities that interest you: join sports teams and/or clubs with activities that you enjoy!  Don't do something because you think, or someone suggested, it will "look good" when you apply to college.  

Colleges look at more than just your academic record for admission. It’s important that you demonstrate your abilities outside the classroom too! Colleges look for authentic interest and passion in what you do when you're not doing classwork.

• Explore and participate in community service.

• If you need academic help, see your teacher or check in with your counselor to discuss where you need assistance and what resources are available to help you succeed. Speak with your parents to let them know where you need help.

• Talk with your parents about financial planning, consider a college savings account. 

• Before the year ends, investigate and get involved with academic enrichment programs, summer workshops and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts and science.

• Research scholarships

Sophomores:

• Meet with a guidance counselor and make sure you are meeting all grad requirements

• Continue with extra-curricular activities and volunteer opportunities

• Prepare for College Entrance Exams by taking practice tests and consider preparation courses. Register for the PSAT

• Attend a college fair, start thinking about where you would like to go or what you would like to do after high school

• Continue to do your best in school! Grades make a difference when applying to colleges and for scholarships

• Research scholarships

Juniors:

• Continue to communicate with a guidance counselor about graduation requirements

• Take the PSAT if you have not

• Start college shopping, connect with college admissions and explore school websites.

• Register for the SAT during the spring after reviewing your PSAT scores, consider a taking a prep course

• Continue building your resume with extra curricular activities and volunteer opportunities

• Consider participating in an Internship, Internship opportunities can be found through the Career Center

• Take your AP exams in May/June, contact your counselor about AP exams

• Research scholarships

Seniors:

AUGUST

• Create a college email account for all of the colleges to which you’ll apply.

• Take a look at some college application platforms to start compiling all the information you will need for applications. Make an excel spread sheet to organize all of the different requirements.

• Take some time to complete your resume (this will help teachers with recommendations and you with applications). Make a list of awards, accomplishments, and activities you have been a part of during high school.

• Begin brainstorming ideas for your essays/or begin your first draft of your essay(s).

• The Common Application opens on August 1st. Create an account that can be used to apply to multiple different schools

• Parents and students should reach an understanding and agreement regarding college finances and budget as they discuss the college list. Review the final college list with your family to make certain you are all on the same page about finances and the schools you’ll be applying to.

SEPTEMBER

• Attend all of the Financial Aid Night (students and parents) - Fall of 2020 is virtual!

• Review your final college list with your Career Center Specialist or Counselor… if your list is not yet finalized this is the time to narrow down your list of colleges and decide what your safe/target/reach schools are.

• Find out if you might qualify for scholarships at the schools you’ll be applying to. Research merit scholarships on college websites and check in with the College & Career Center via email or a virtual appointment. 

• Attend virtual college fairs, info sessions, campus visits and virtual college visits scheduled by the CC with schools you are interested in or might be interested in. Take every opportunity to get to know colleges and how they might (or might not) be a good fit for you. Follow the colleges you're interested in on social media and their websites.

• Work on your High School and Beyond Plan… stay organized and track your deadlines!  

• Ask your teachers and counselors for letters of recommendation if you haven’t already done so.

• Begin working on your supplemental essays/writing prompts for the Common or Coalition applications. 

• Meet with a counselor and make sure you are on track with grad requirements

OCTOBER

• Continue to work on you college applications, personal statement and essays. Complete essays for early decision/early action schools.

• Financial Aid forms to parents; the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) will be available this month. Create PIN# (ID#), for student and parent. You can submit your FAFSA as early as October 1st, but not later than March 15th for most colleges.

• Complete any rolling admissions, early action, or early decision applications

• Meet with your counselor for your letter of recommendation interview (if needed).

• Order your cap and gown, grad gear, and announcements

• Take and submit senior pictures

NOVEMBER

• Continue working on all applications/essays. 

• Register for and submit the CSS profile if any of the colleges you are applying to require it. There are over 400 institutions that require this additional financial aid application!

• If you already have them, you may choose to send SAT or ACT test scores to all schools to which you are applying. If you do not have scores, you will apply test optional.  Most colleges in the US are test optional or test blind for the Class of 2021!

• Finalize and send any early decision or early action application that is due this month. It’s a good idea to have a parent, teacher, counselor, or other adult review the application before it’s submitted.

DECEMBER

• Continue working on essays/applications for private colleges and out of state colleges. Begin to organize your regular decision applications which will be due in January and February.

• Call colleges to make sure your file is complete.  Check email (and spam folder) for important emails... YOU MUST REGULARLY CHECK YOUR COLLEGE EMAIL ACCOUNTS FOR IMPORTANT UPDATES!

• Continue researching and applying for scholarships

JANUARY

• Send thank you notes to teachers and counselor for recommendation letters they wrote and sent for you.

• Check for Mid-year Report requirements for non-common app schools and make sure mid-year reports are sent.

• Start or continue your search for community and college scholarships.

• If you were admitted somewhere by early decision, you must formally withdraw all other applications; this opens up spaces for other qualified students.

• Check all email accounts for requirements and deadlines; check your spam folder to ensure an important email is not stuck there! Respond quickly to any requests for information regarding an incomplete application!

• Check to make sure all applications were received (email receipts) and don’t panic!

FEBRUARY – MARCH

• FAFSA deadline for many universities is early March… do not miss this deadline so check with each college. 

• Research college housing, application open up in the spring and space is limited

• Check for assessment test requirements and dates if applicable.

• Keep up your grades… do not let “senioritis” get the better of you! You will need to submit your final transcript to the college of your choice… you do not want to risk your acceptance being rescinded in June!

• Acceptance letters and financial aid offers will start to arrive!

APRIL

• Preview programs and visit colleges for an overnight if possible.

• Send Intent to Register, and then withdrawal notification to colleges you are not attending. (Deadline for Intent to Register is usually May 1). If seeking a Gap Year, notify the college in writing.

• Check for any other housing or scholarship deadlines.

MAY

• May 1st is the date when the college you plan to attend requires a commitment and deposit.

• Send deposit for housing.

JUNE

• Order final transcript to be sent from Heritage to the school you’ll be attending.

• Attend Senior Awards and Events

• Happy Graduation Timberwolf!

SUMMER

It’s been a long journey through high school and to college… Take time to enjoy your summer!

Make a list of what you will need to take with you for your dorm room. Facebook, call or email your new roommate to get to know each other in advance. In your conversations you can discuss what you plan to bring to your new “home away from home”.

Some colleges offer a summer orientation/ registration or First Year Experience: Make certain to attend these special events in order to meet fellow students and other important people on campus and to familiarize yourself with your new school. This is often the time you get to register for your fall classes.