College Counseling Timeline
Freshman
Begin college preparatory curriculum - take the schedule that best fits you!
course selection guidance at end of freshman year for sophomore year courses
Explore Beaumont's extracurricular offerings - get involved in clubs and organizations that interest you
Take advantage of service opportunities and don't be afraid to explore ways to get involved outside of the school
Sophomore
Continue to challenge yourself where appropriate in your schedule, build on freshman year
scheduling guidance for junior year in Group Guidance
Begin looking for leadership opportunities in your clubs and organizations
Challenge yourself to grow personally by exploring your interests in unique ways outside of the classroom
Look for summer opportunities to develop academically
Drive around campuses when you're in the area, even if you don't schedule an official tour - start getting a feel for what you like and what you don't like
College Counseling hosts Sophomore Parent Night during spring semester and assigns students their primary college counselor by the end of the school year
Junior
Continue to challenge yourself where appropriate in your schedule
College Counseling will emphasize the importance of a strong senior schedule in Group Guidance
Look for leadership opportunities in extracurriculars, community service, job...
Attend College Rep visits hosted at Beaumont
Group Guidance sessions start in the fall semester covering topics like college/application terminology, Scoir, building a balanced list, fit, and the role of visits
Teacher recommendation requests will be completed before the end of the school year
Students will have two teacher recommendations and one from their college counselor
College Counseling hosts Junior Parent Night
Group Guidance sessions continue in the spring covering topics like essays, letters of recommendation, peer recommendations, the Common Application, timeline for senior year
Individual student/family sessions begin
Student College Questionnaire - completed over winter break
Individual Student Meeting - completed early in the Spring Semester after submitting the College Questionnaire
Family College Questionnaire - completed by the end of January by parents or guardians
Family College Meeting - held after both questionnaires and the Individual Student Meeting - make sure everyone is on the same page and discuss a preliminary college list
You should be researching schools that fit your list of needs and wants
Take the SAT or ACT, students take ACT at school - based on results College Counseling can advise on taking the test again, test prep, or test-optional
Athletes looking to compete in college should talk to their counselor before the end of the year
Update Scoir with as much detail as possible
Use the summer well - visit schools, shadow possible careers, complete an internship, get involved in unique extracurriculars/service, begin your Common App, and complete a draft of your essays
Senior
Continue to challenge yourself with academic courses - schools might not see senior year grades initially but they do see the rigor of your senior year and use that in the admissions decisions
Meet with your College Counselor early in the year to finalize your college list and check on deadlines, supplemental essays, and additional forms that might be needed (SRAR, CSS) - make sure you have your application proofed before submitting
College Counseling hosts two informative events - Senior Parent Night and Financial Aid Night
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS profile (when needed)
Pay attention to deadlines!
Finalize your application and essay (or essays)
College Counseling meets with Group Guidance throughout the fall semester to go over topics like the Common Application, financial aid, outside scholarship resources, important deadlines, etc.
Attend College Reps that come to Beaumont and continue visiting schools in person
Be attentive communicators - check your email, give those helping you enough time, and read messages from schools so you don't miss anything important
Keep Scoir updated with college decisions and inform your college counselor about scholarships
Spring Semester matters! - colleges get a final transcript