Freshman Year

• Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss college/post secondary plans.
• Try a variety of extracurricular activities.
• Learn how to type and use a personal computer.
• Start a filing system to store important documents for college: yearly transcripts, awards, summer programs, portfolio for art/writing and other important papers.
• Create a file for college visit information.
• Seek information NOW about paying for college:

http://www.finaid.org

http://www.allaboutcollege.com

http://www.collegboard.com

http://www.fastweb.com

• If a 21st Century Scholar, please make sure address is up to date at Scholars office.
• Check out college websites.
• Attend college fairs.
• Plan for the summer. Take part in college sponsored programs.
• Plan to visit colleges. Start with colleges near you.
• Volunteer

Sophomore Year

• Meet with your Guidance Counselor to discuss your college/post secondary plans. Review your schedule to make sure you are in challenging classes.
• Get more involved with your extracurricular activities.
• Take the PSAT
• Continue college planning activities started in grade 9
• Plan for the summer
• Volunteer

Junior Year

September

• Speak with guidance counselor about course selection
• Plan for standardized tests
• Make a list of your top ten colleges
• Attend college fairs
• Sigh up for and attend college rep visits in the Guidance Office
• Research great website: http://www.knowhow2go.org
• Remember, this is a very important academic year. Do your very best!!

October

• Take the PSAT (National Merit)
• Request information from colleges on your list
• Research scholarships and note deadlines

November

• Speak with your parents about funding college
• Research financial aid

December

• Discuss your PSAT scores with your guidance counselor
• Research summer programs and jobs

January

• Update your filing system
• Attend Junior College Night

February

• Request information for summer programs

March

• Investigate test dates for ACT/SAT/AP exams
• Prepare /secure study materials for: ACT/SAT/ AP

April

• Study for AP exams
• Visit colleges during Spring Break
• Register for the May SAT

May

• Take AP Exam
• Take SAT/ACT

June

• Take SAT Subject Tests.
• Research websites for top 5 college picks. Draft essay for college application.
• Visit colleges at top of your list.

August

• GET READY FOR YOUR FINAL YEAR OF HIGH SCHOOL

Senior Year

September

• Narrow your list of colleges
• Meet with your Guidance Counselor. Bring parent/guardian if possible
• Decide on Early Applications
• Make list of deadlines for applications, financial aid, scholarships and tests.
• Attend college rep visits in Guidance Office. Some have on-site acceptance opportunities.
• Ask teachers for recommendations
• Make copies for your applications once completed and file them
• Register for the October SAT

October

• Ask teachers to review your essays.
• Take the October SAT
• Register with: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov and get your PIN # . Parents must have one as well. Make sure you SAVE them until January/February

November

• Be aware of college application deadlines
• Take SAT/ACT
• Start to submit college applications and follow Guidance Office procedures for having supporting documentation submitted on your behalf.

December

• Study for finals
• Write thank-you notes to teachers
• Last time to take SAT to meet January deadline.
• Research scholarships during winter break.

January

• File FAFSA. Seek assistance is needed. Check with your Guidance counselor for local resources.
• Make sure your mid-semester grades are sent out to colleges.

February

• Complete applications with March 15th deadlines.
• Make sure financial aid applications are complete.
• Continue scholarship search

March

• Register for AP exams

April

• Review acceptance letters
• Make a final decision
• Send in deposits
• Scholarships search continues

May

• Set up financial plan for the Fall
• Take AP exams
• Graduate!