YEAR ROUND
READ your emails!!!!! There will information about outside college fairs, events at local colleges, summer programs, etc.
FALL
Set goals for yourself for the school year. Working toward specific goals helps to stay motivated and focused.
Stay organized. Make weekly or monthly to-do lists to keep on top of the tasks required to get ready for applying to colleges. For more time-management tips, see 8 Ways to Take Control of Your Time.
Update your resume! This is an important part of your college application!
If you haven’t participated in many activities outside of class, now is the time to sign up. Consider clubs at school, team sports, leadership roles, or involvement in a religious or civic community group.
WINTER
Review PSAT/NMSQT results.
Prepare for college admission tests. Many juniors take college admission tests, such as the SAT and the ACT, in the spring so they can get a head start on planning for college.
Discuss taking challenging courses next year. Taking college-level courses, such as Advanced Placement and College Now classes, as a senior can help you prepare for college work — and these are also the courses that college admission officers like to see.
Explore summer opportunities on college campuses—a great way to find out what college life is all about.
SPRING
Start your college search. Once you have an idea of the qualities you is looking for in a college, enter these criteria into Xello or College Search to create a list of colleges to consider applying to.
Begin to research scholarships. This form of financial aid provides money for college that doesn’t need to be repaid.
Attend college fairs and financial aid events. These events allow you to meet with college representatives and get answers to questions. Check out the College Fair Checklist for more information.
Make summer plans. Summer is a great time to explore interests and learn new skills — and colleges look for students who pursue meaningful summer activities. Check some out here: summer learning programs or find a job or internship.
Begin to visit colleges. Make plans to check out the campuses of colleges you is interested in. Use the Campus Visit Checklist to learn how to get the most out of these experiences.
Go to www.fairtest.org for a list of colleges and universities where no test is required for admissions.
Take a look at some college applications. Make note of all the pieces of information you will need to compile.
Identify 2-3 teachers, counselors, employers, and other adults who could write letters of recommendation. You should ask them if they are willing to write you a letter of recommendation before the end of the school year.
SUMMER
Visit colleges. If you haven’t already, make plans to check out the campuses of colleges you are interested in. Use the Campus Visit Checklist to learn how to get the most out of these experiences.
Start to finalize a college list. Weighing how well each college meets your needs, for example. Find out more about how to finalize a college list. A balanced college list has a mix of probable (safety), target (match), and reach schools. Ideally, you have at least 3-4 safety schools, 3-4 match schools, and 1-3 reach schools.
Find out a college’s actual cost. Once you have a list of a few colleges he or she is interested in, use the Net Price Calculator together to find out the potential for financial aid and the true out-of-pocket cost — or net price — of each college.
Get started on applications. You can get the easy stuff out of the way now by filling in as much required information on college applications as possible. Read about how to get started on applications.
Consider whether applying early action or early decision would be a good choice for you, especially if you are set on going to a certain college. Now is the time to decide because early applications are usually due in November. Read about the pros and cons of applying early.
Start your personal statements/college essays.