CALENDAR/CHECKLIST

SOPHOMORE YEAR
Take the most challenging courses
Meet with your counselor to discuss high school course work and college plans
Become involved in academic, extracurricular, and community activities.
Update your resume (awards, activities, honors, and leadership positions).
Register in September if you plan to take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT)
Take the PSAT test in October, if you are registered.
Talk with college representatives that visit campus
Explore possible career goals/interests.

JUNIOR YEAR
August / September
Take the most challenging courses including Advanced Placement course if appropriate.
Colleges look for the following:
Challenging academic coursework
A strong grade point average (GPA)
Involvement in extracurricular activities such as clubs, volunteer work, church, or sports
Visit college websites.
Register for the PSAT in September

October/November
Take the PSAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT) in October
Explore career/college major choices.
Attend college fairs.
Visit with college representatives
Request information from colleges.

December/January
Update your resume: list all honors, awards, and activities throughout school.
Begin to explore scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
Register for SAT-I and ACT tests.

February/March
Meet with your counselor to review your courses, college information, credits toward graduation, and class choices for your senior year.
Attend college fairs and financial aid meetings.
Register Advanced Placement tests in May.
Register to take the SAT-II tests if you are completing a sequence of classes (e.g., Chemistry II, Foreign Language III).

April/May
Talk with your parents, teachers, and counselors about where you would like to go to college.
Compile a list of ten colleges that interests you.
Think about the values that are important to you (academic program, location, size, cost activities, athletics, etc…)
Begin preparing essays for college admissions and scholarship applications.
Register for the SAT-I and/or ACT tests.
Take the Advanced Placement (AP) exams during the national test dates in mid-day.

June/July
Obtain a summer job that might be related to your career interests.
Visit college campuses during the summer vacation.

SENIOR YEAR
August/September
Continue to take the most challenging courses offered
Register for the SAT-I and/or ACT tests early so that scores will arrive on time to the colleges.
Attend college fairs
Visit with college representatives
Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans.
Update your resume.

October /November
Ask several teachers to write a letter of recommendation.
Ask your counselor to write a letter of recommendation.
Narrow college choices to four-six schools, and obtain the applications for each school.
Make a calendar with application, financial aid, and scholarship deadlines for all the colleges to which you will apply.
Complete the rough draft of the admissions essay(s)
Write your final draft.
If necessary, retake the SAT-I and/or ACT.
November is the usual deadline if you are applying for the early admission to a college. All materials must be in on time or you will be placed in the regular admissions pool.

December/January
Plan to submit all applications by December. (Be sure to check individual college deadlines.)
Request transcripts, recommendations, and other supporting data are sent to the colleges.
Pick up the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in the career center.
Submit the FAFSA after January 1.
Some private schools may require that you complete the College Scholarship Service Financial Aid PROFILE (CSS/PROFILE).
KEEP COPIES OF EVERYTHING YOU SUBMIT.
Apply for all possible scholarships.
Update your resume again if necessary.

February/March
Keep up the good grades - admission committees will review all your senior grades.
Send in mid-year reports on time, if they are required.
In March, expect your Student Aid Report (SAR).
Apply for all possible scholarships.

April/May
In April you will receive college acceptance letters and financial aid award letters.
Carefully review all financial aid award letters.
May 1 is National Candidate Reply Date.
Make your final decision and send in the college deposit by the deadline.
Notify all colleges that accept you of your final decision in writing.
Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams in mid-May.
Remember to register for new student orientation at your college.
Graduate.

June/July
Attend freshmen orientation at your college.
Save your money, open a checking account and learn to use it before going to college.
Make contact with your new college roommate.
Go on to college with a positive attitude.