September

School counselor – Hopefully you've already talked about college with your school counselor during your junior year. Now that you've had the summer to explore your options, sit down again to review the whole process. Your counselor will give you valuable perspective about the schools on your list and help you chart out the application process. Also make sure that you're fulfilling all of your requirements for high school graduation.

Letters of recommendation – As soon as you possibly can, ask two teachers to write you letters of recommendation. It is wise to ask teachers from your junior year, especially if you have a good relationship with them and participated in their class. If a teacher doesn't really know you or hasn't heard much from you in class discussions, they won't have much to write about.

SAT – Register for the SAT, which is usually administered in October, November and December. You can also take SAT Subject exams, which is a good idea if there is a particular subject you excel in.

Request applications and make sure you understand admissions requirements for each school.

It's time to start getting applications from the schools on your list. By now you want to have your list down to 8 or 10 schools, tops. With each application, write out a schedule of deadlines so you don't miss anything down the road. This is especially important if you're thinking of applying for an early decision or early action.

College Essay –Allow yourself plenty of time to formulate your essay. This is crucial. Students who have spent months reflecting on the essay will stand out. These essay questions can be very broad, and it can be a real challenge relating it to your life. Make sure you talk to others about how to approach the essay.

Grades and Extracurriculars - Remember, don't let your grades sink. Admissions counselors will look at the first half of your senior year to see that you're still challenging yourself and succeeding. If you've already been active in extracurricular activities, explore leadership opportunities. This can mean being captain of a sports team, starting your own club or getting involved with student government. Senior year is your opportunity to transform from a young adult into a student leader.

See the College Essay: Tell Your Story page for more tips.