College Planning Timeline

• Meet with your counselor and visit the Post Grad Center. 

• Review general college admission requirements. 

• Be sure to take college prep classes. 

• Begin to think about and talk with your parents about your college financing plan. 

• Meet with your counselor to discuss course work and college plans. 

• It is a good idea to take practice college entrances exams in the fall. You may take the PLAN test (a practice ACT with a career/interest component) and, if you are in accelerated classes, consider taking the PSAT test. 

• Begin to think about possible career goals/interests. Don’t forget to visit the Post Grad Center! 

• Continue extracurricular activities and participation in academic enrichment programs.

• Begin building a list of possible colleges; think about those values that are important to you (academic programs, location, size, cost, activities, athletics, etc). 

• Go to the Post Grad Center and find out which colleges have representatives visiting Heritage. Attend college fairs and request information from colleges. 

• Think about career/major choices. 

• Meet with your counselor to review your courses and make sure you are taking courses that challenge you. Plan to take strong academic courses during your senior year and strive to achieve your academic best. 

• Take the PSAT and ACT and/or SAT. 

• Begin exploring scholarship and financial aid opportunities. 

• Begin visiting schools you may be considering. If this is not practical for you and your family, consider visiting nearby colleges to gain a better understanding of different types of schools- i.e. large public university, small private college, etc. Don’t forget that most colleges and universities have web tours online.

• Meet with your counselor and Post Grad early in the fall semester to discuss college plans. 

• Attend college fairs and meet with college representatives visiting Heritage. 

• Narrow college choices and obtain applications. 

• Determine deadlines and requirements.

• Make a rough draft of your college entrance essay and have a teacher or counselor review it early in the fall. Write your final draft. 

• Take the ACT and/or SAT and forward your scores to the colleges to which you plan to apply. 

• Request transcripts ($5 fee per transcript, request forms can be found in the Post Grad Center) and recommendations, if needed. 

• Complete the FAFSA (Free application for federal student aid)  with parents as soon after October 1st as possible.

• Good rule of thumb: Submit applications by the first of December (but be sure you check each individual school’s deadline). 

• Keep copies of everything you send and keep track of dates sent. 

• Apply for all possible scholarships. 

• Visit colleges to which you have applied, if possible. 

• Make final choice and notify schools no later than May 1. Send acceptance letter and any necessary documents and deposits to your college of choice. Write polite letter of refusal to others. Make sure to share with Post Grad where you will be attending. 

• If offered, plan to attend the summer orientation program at the college in which you will be enrolling. 

*Adapted from Colorado State University “START Planning for College Today” brochure