*Content used courtesy of the EmberMedia website
Perhaps you have a specific goal in mind, like being an engineer or a vet. Maybe you're not really sure of what you want, but you're thinking college is where you're headed. The question is: how do you get there? Take a look at our College Prep Calendar, which lays it all out for you, year by year!
So what if you're already in high school and didn't do some of the things on the list? Is it too late? Nope! The calendar may look a bit overwhelming at first. There are a lot of steps to take, but even if you see that you're behind, you can get back on track. How? Make an appointment with your school guidance counselor to discuss what needs to get done. Then get to it! Preparing for college isn't easy, but if it means realizing your goals, it's worth it. Good luck!
Freshman Year
- Check out what sort of high school courses are required by colleges and take some of these challenging courses.
- Work hard and push yourself to get good grades.
- Keep reading - this will help you bone up on your vocabulary.
- Join some extracurricular activities.
- Meet your high school guidance counselor - make sure they know who you are.
- Find out information from your guidance counselor about high school exit exams or other subject-specific exams required by certain school districts.
- Get information about NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) requirements if you want to play sports in college.
- Start saving money for college.
Sophomore Year
September:
- Talk to your guidance counselor about taking the PSAT in October - make sure to do this early in September, as you have to register several weeks in advance for the tests.
- If you plan on taking the ACT, talk to your guidance counselor about taking the PLAN this fall. The PLAN is similar to the PSAT. PLAN does not have national testing dates, so ask your guidance counselor about test dates offered by your school.
- Take NCAA-approved courses if you want to play sports in college.
October:
- Take the PSAT for practice. Don't worry about the results - they won't be used for college admission.
December:
- You should receive the results of PLAN and/or the PSAT. Go over the materials sent with your score report with your guidance counselor and find ways to improve on future tests or sign up for courses which may be required or beneficial for your college application plan.
January:
- Keep up those grades!
- Volunteer! This is a great way to identify your interests, develop your skills and round out your extracurricular activities.
April:
- Register for the SAT II: Subject Test in June. These are one-hour exams testing you on academic subjects like biology, chemistry, foreign languages and physics. Many colleges require three SAT II: Subject Tests -- one should be Writing and usually, the other two can be of your choosing, although some colleges may want you to take Math IC or Math IIC. Not all SAT II Subject Tests are given on every test date. Check the calendar to see when the Subject Test you want is available.
June:
- Take the SAT II: Subject Tests that you registered for in April. You might want to see your test scores before deciding whether to release the results to colleges. Plan on taking the SAT II: Subject Tests again in the spring of your junior year or the fall of your senior year. Then you have the option of releasing your best scores to colleges.
- If you got a summer job, save some of that money for college.
July:
- Now is the time to prepare and do practice tests for the PSAT/SAT.
August:
- Work on increasing your vocabulary while you go through that summer reading list!
Junior Year
September:
- Register for the PSAT in October. Meet with your guidance counselor to review your courses for this year and how it will affect your schedule for senior year.
October:
- Take the PSAT. These PSAT scores may qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship Competition and the National Achievement and the National Hispanic Scholars Programs. So, even though these scores won't be used for college admission, you should take the PSAT.
November:
- Junior year grades are extremely important in the college admission process, because they are a measure of how well you do in advanced, upper-level courses. Grades also are used to determine scholarships and grants for which you may be eligible. So put in the extra effort and keep those grades up! " If you think you are going to need financial aid, start researching your options for grants, scholarships and work-study programs. Make an appointment with your guidance counselor to discuss.
December:
- During December you should get your PSAT results. Read your score report with your school counselor to see how you might improve on future standardized tests. The PSAT is excellent preparation for the SAT I, which you will take in the spring.
- If you plan to take the ACT, register now for the February ACT. Many colleges accept the ACT (American College Test) and some colleges require both. When you begin to look at different colleges and universities, double-check to see if they prefer or require the ACT, the SAT I and/or the SAT II.
January:
- Begin to make a preliminary list of colleges you would like to investigate further. Surf the Internet and use the college resources in the guidance office or library.
- Ask your parents for your Social Security number (you need this for many college applications). If you were never issued a Social Security number, contact the closest Social Security office as soon as possible to obtain a number.
February:
- Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your preliminary list of colleges. Make sure the list meets your needs and interests (academic program, size, location, cost, etc.) and whether you are considering colleges where you are likely to be admitted. You should be optimistic but also realistic.
- Register for the March SAT I if you have completed the math courses covered on the SAT I. If not, plan to take the SAT I in May or June.
March:
- Write, telephone, or go online to get admission literature and financial aid information from the colleges on your list. There is no charge and no obligation to obtain general information about admission and financial aid. April:
- When selecting your senior courses, be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically.
- Register for the May/June SAT I and/or the May/June SAT II: Subject Tests. Not all SAT II Subject Tests are given on every test date. Check the calendar. Register for the June ACT if you want to take that test.
- Take another look at your list of colleges and universities. Delete colleges from that list that no longer interest you and add new ones you have discovered.
- Look into summer jobs or apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs. Try to do something that uses your knowledge and develops your skills and interests.
May:
- Go to a college fair to get more information about the colleges on your list.
- Get a jump start on summer activities - find out about enrolling in an academic course at a local college, pursuing a summer school program, applying for an internship, working, or volunteering.
- Plan your college visits. Phone ahead to the admissions offices and set up appointments. Interviews are always a good idea. Many colleges will tell you they are optional, but an interview will show interest, enthusiasm and initiative on your part and provide an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered. Try doing practice interviews with your counselor, teacher, employer, or a friend who has had college interviews. Set up interviews as early as possible - they tend to book quickly!
- Take the SAT I or the SAT II.
Senior Year
September:
- Make sure you have all applications required for college admission and financial aid. Write, phone, or get on the web.
- Check on application and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you plan to apply!
- Meet with your guidance counselor to be sure your list includes colleges appropriate to your academic and personal record. Review your transcript and co-curricular records with your school counselor to ensure their accuracy.
- Register for the October/November SAT I and/or SAT II: Subject Test, or September/October ACT.
- If you need recommendations, ask the people you have chosen to write on your behalf.
October:
- Mail your applications by the deadline if you are applying for early decision or early action. Double check that your guidance counselor knows where to send your transcript and test scores. Remember, if you are accepted under the early decision, you must enroll at that college and withdraw all your other applications. Submit any necessary financial aid information with your early decision materials.
- Start your applications for your back-up schools.
- Register for the December/January SAT I and/or SAT II: Subject Tests, or December ACT if you have not completed the required tests or if you are not happy with your previous test scores and think you can do better. Have these test scores sent by the testing agency to colleges on your list.
November:
- Take the SAT I or SAT II if appropriate. Don't forget to have test scores sent to colleges on your list.
- Keep up those first quarter grades!
- Get those applications done.
- If you need financial aid, get a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) from your guidance office or online. Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other financial aid form. Register for the CSS Profile if required and obtain the college's own financial aid forms, if available.
- Make copies of all applications before mailing. Keep all records, test score reports and copies of applications for admission and financial aid and put them in a file. Don't throw anything away - you may need them again if anything is lost or if you decide to apply to other colleges and scholarship programs in the future.
December:
- Take your last pass at the SAT I, II or ACT tests. Have official test scores sent to colleges on your list if you have not done so.
- Consult your school counselor again to review your final list of colleges. Be sure you have all bases covered. It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you drop those envelopes in the mail. If for some reason your application gets lost, you will have a back-up copy. File your last college application.
- If you applied for early decision, you should have an answer by now. If you are accepted, follow the instructions for admitted students. If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied, submit applications now to other colleges.
January:
- Keep working in your classes! Grades and courses continue to count throughout the senior year.
- Parents and students, complete your income tax forms as soon as possible. You will need those figures to fill out the FAFSA. Complete and return your FAFSA as quickly as possible after January 1. Check to make sure your colleges or state does not require any other financial aid forms. If they do, consult your guidance counselor or contact the college's financial aid office.
- Take your last pass at the SAT I, II or ACT tests. Have official test scores sent to colleges on your list if you have not done so.
February:
- Remember to check on your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that they are complete. Stay on top of things and don't procrastinate; you can ruin your chances for admission by missing a deadline.
- If you completed a FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the FAFSA. Review the SAR carefully and check for any inaccuracies. If necessary, correct any items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor (if a college transmitted your data directly, notify the college of any change).
- If more than four weeks have passed after sending in your FAFSA and you have not received an acknowledgment, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243. To identify you, they will need your name, social security number, address, and date of birth exactly as it was written on your FAFSA.
- Complete scholarship applications. You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think, so apply for as many as you can.
April:
- Do not take rolling admission applications for granted. (Some colleges do not have application deadlines; they admit students on a continuous basis.) These schools may reach their maximum class size quickly -- the earlier you apply, the more availability there may be.
- Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards. Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process. If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges that accepted you, please notify those colleges that you have selected another college. Keeping colleges abreast of your plans might enable those colleges to admit someone else. If you know which college you will attend, send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students.
May:
- By May 1, decide on the one college that you will attend. By May 1, send in your tuition deposit to the college you will attend. Notify the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college. The worst is now over!
- If your first-choice college places you on their waiting list, do not lose all hope. Some students are admitted off the waiting list. Talk with your counselor, and contact the college to let them know you are still very interested. Keep the college updated on your activities.
- Take Advanced Placement examinations, if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the college you will attend.
June:
- Notify the college of any private scholarships or grants you will be receiving.
- Know when the payment for tuition, room and board, meal plans, etc., is due. If necessary, ask the financial aid office about a possible payment plan that will allow for you to pay in installments.
- You made it - you are on your way to college!
