This guide is a valuable resource, use it as a starting place in your journey into higher education!
College Planning Guide
(Please visit your school counselor to set up your college plan)
Freshman
1. Meet with your guidance counselor to plan college prep courses for high school
2. Learn about college acceptance
3. Set academic goals
4. Become involved in extracurricular activities; and seek leadership roles whenever you can
5. Discuss how to pay for college with your parents...it is NOT to early to start thinking about this!
6. Start gathering information on career fields that interest you.
SUPER SUGGESTION! SET UP BINDER OR FILE WHERE YOU CAN KEEP ALL SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS FOR THE STUDENT PROFILE AND RESUME YOU WILL NEED WHEN YOU APPLY TO COLLEGES. INCLUDE COURSES AND GRADES, SCHOOL ACTIVITIES, SCHOOL HONORS AND AWARDS, COMMUNITY HONORS, WORK AND VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE. OUTLINE OF SIGNIGNCANT EVENTS IN YOUR LIFE.
SOPHOMORE
1. Register for PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN
2. Make a list of features you want in a college
3. Start searching the internet for schools that interest you
4. Examine college information resources in guidance and media centers
5. Start making a list of schools to examine more carefully
6. Contact admissions offices and ask for brochures and information
7. Take PLAN (Oct-Dec) to prepare for ACT
8. Take PSAT/NMSQT (October)to prepare for SAT
SUPER SUGGESTION! MAY AND JUNE MEET WITH GUIDANCE COUNSELOR; PRE-REGISTER FOR COLLEGE PREP COURSES
JUNE, JULY AND AUGUST: STUDY FOR PSAT/NMSQT, CONSIDER A SUMMER JOB OR VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE IN YOUR FIELD OF INTEREST.
JUNIORS
September: Register to take PSAT/NMSQT and/or PLAN
October: Take the PSAT/NMSQT to be considered for the National Merit Scholarship
November: Refine your list of schools, eliminate the ones that do not meet your criteria, request catalogs for remaining schools on your list.
Compare and contrast admission policies, academic programs and placement opportunities for each school.
December: Discuss PSAT/NMSQT scores with your counselor. Start thinking about your strengths and preferences in terms of what you may want to do in life.
January-February: Continue narrowing the number of schools in your file. Talk to your counselor and gather information on the application process.
March: Start preparing for Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Register to take the SAT or ACT. (Taking them early will allow you time to re-take them if you are not satisfied with your score) Explore early decision options with your counselor.
April: Take the SAT and/or ACT
June: Discuss your list of favorite colleges or universities with your parents and make arrangements for campus tours.
SENIOR
August: Determine how you plan to meet the cost of selected schools, i.e. through parent loans, scholarships (internal and external to the chosen school)
September: Meet with college representatives visiting your school. Send thank you notes to each college representative who spends time with you. Decide which teachers and other people you would like to write letters of recommendation for you.
October: TAKE SAT/ACT and request scores be sent to the top schools on your list. Request official transcripts be sent to schools you are planning to attend, where you will apply in December. Always be prompt in responding to any inquiry from admissions officers.
December: Submit admission applications.
January: Fill out Federal Financial Assistance Forms (FFASA) (web link provided on our "Favorite Links" menu item)
Apply for outside scholarships
February: Verify that schools have received all application materials.
March: Register and start studying for Advance Placement exams
April: Expect letters of acceptance or non-acceptance
Review all acceptance packages carefully. Select the school you plan to attend.
NOTE: This is only a guide. Many scholarship applications have deadlines in the early fall. Be prepared and good luck in your college adventure!