OCTOBER:

Take a career assessment for career inventory information. Take the PSAT test for practice.

DECEMBER:

Begin your scholarship search. If you intend to seek an appointment to a military academy, begin this process now.

MAY:

Update your awards and activities list.

JUNE:

Use your summer wisely by taking a job or volunteering. Arrange to visit some colleges campus.

11th-Junior

Although you will not actually begin the college application process unit your senior year, keep in mind that your junior year will be one of the most academically challenging periods in high school. Your college application rankling will be determined after this year.

By August / September

1. Take the most challenging courses including Advanced Placement course if appropriate.
2. Explore possible college majors & careers.
3. Colleges look for the following:

• Visit college web sites.
• Do your homework! Keep up your grades.
• Study for the PSAT - fee practice tests on http://www.collegeboard.com/

By 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 that come to school
• Request information from colleges.

By December/January

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

By 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).

By 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.
• Keep up your grades - colleges will look at your GPA and Class Rank which is determined at the end of Junior Year for initial admissions consideration.
• Register for the SAT and/or ACT tests.
• Take the Advanced Placement (AP) exams during the national test dates in mid-May.

By June/July

• Obtain a summer job that might be related to your career interests.
• Visit college campuses during the summer vacation.
• Spend some time volunteering.

12th-SENIOR

You only have one senior year, so enjoy it! But, stay on track, do not drop activities or tough courses - they still count.

By August/September

• Continue to take the most challenging courses offered
• Register for the SAT and/or ACT tests early so that scores will arrive on time to the colleges. (Many colleges/scholarships have December deadlines).
• Attend college fairs
• Visit with college representatives
• Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans.
• Update your resume.

By 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 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.

By December/January

• Plan to submit all applications by early 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.

By 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.

By 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.

By 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.