College Planning Timeline
Freshman & Sophomore Years
August
- Take college preparatory courses in math, science, social studies, and English. Use electives such as art, computers, and foreign language to help prepare you for college courses.
- Update your resume/brag sheet.
- Nurture relationships with your teachers and counselors.
- Think about major fields of interest. Begin concentrating on courses that prepare you for your interests.
- Maintain a good grade point average especially in your college prep courses. Take academically rigorous courses.
- Get involved in your community, church/temple, and school. Team and club involvement will help you meet other students with similar interests and make you a well-rounded individual.
September – October
- Attend the NACAC College Fair (www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/).
- You may want to take the PSAT in October (practice test for the SAT, collegeboard.org). Sign up for question of the day through ACT and College Board. A PSAT Interpretation Video is available at www.collegeboard.org.
- Student Athletes: If you want to play Division I, II Sports, you will need to follow the NCAA eligibility requirements. Please visit their website for more information. You will want to register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Clearinghouse during your sophomore year. The website is www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Our school CEEB code is 030043.
November – December
- Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
- Talk with older friends about their college process and their recommendations for your planning.
January – May
- Attend a Freshman/Sophomore Family Meeting with your assigned counselor. Discuss your new schedule with your counselor to make sure you are in the right courses, building on what you accomplished from the previous year.
- Use the library and internet to research college and university entrance requirements.
- Use the Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/) and ONET (http://www.onetonline.org/) to research career options. Actively participate and complete the ECAP Career Exploration Lesson spring of sophomore year.
- Update your resume/brag sheet.
- Register and prepare for the SAT Subject Tests or take a CLEP test in recently completed course areas (perhaps World History).
- Plan to take the mock ACT (the ACT practice test).
June – July
- Visit colleges of interest.
- Volunteer in a career-related opportunity. Attend seminars, workshops, camps and summer programs that supplement your academic preparation.
- With your parents, continue to plan the financial aspect of your education. The HEFAR Group (hefar.org) may be a helpful resource as well as the FAFSA Academic and Financial Checklists Grades 9-12 (http://studentaid.ed.gov/prepare-for-college/checklists).
- Find out about co-enrollment classes offered at the community colleges. These are classes you can take while currently in high school.
Junior Year
Junior Class Presentation
September
- Check out the career center and the internet for college searches. Once you have a preliminary list of colleges, go directly to the college’s website. There you will find the admissions requirements, including application deadlines and applicable admissions tests.
- Register for the PSAT (take in October), SAT (take in March) and ACT (take in April).
- Plan to visit colleges during vacations. Arrange college tours by contacting the colleges of your choice. Attend local college fairs.
- Nurture relationships with teachers and counselors.
October
- Take the PSAT exam.
- Start checking into scholarships on the internet at sites such as fastweb.com, in public libraries and bookstores (you will be filling out the majority of your scholarships the first semester of your senior year).
- Continue researching colleges. Visit with college representatives visiting CSHS.
December
- Plan when you are going to take SAT Subject tests or CLEP tests if needed for your college.
January - February
- Consider creating a portfolio that highlights your special interests, talents, service, resume, etc. and schedule college visits/campus tours to your top colleges.
- Register for the SAT and/or ACT early to get a convenient location for a spring test date at www.collegeboard.org and www.actstudent.org. You are responsible for registering online for the SAT/ACT. Take advantage of sample tests available online and at the library to prepare for the exams. You may take these entrance exams anytime your junior year. Most juniors take the exams in the spring of their junior year. You can retake the exam in the fall of senior year.
- Plan to attend a Financial Aid Night in February.
February - March
- Register for your senior classes. Colleges and scholarship organizations will be looking at what you decide to take your senior year. Remember to choose challenging classes!
March - June
- If you have not done so already, secure registration for the SAT and SAT Subject tests at www.collegeboard.org or the ACT at www.actstudent.org.
- Visit your top college websites to view their admissions and scholarship applications.
- Take AP and IB exams if you are enrolled in these classes. Consider taking CLEP tests in core content areas.
- Student Athletes: If you want to play Division I, II Sports, make sure you are following the eligibility guidelines. The website is www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
June - July
- READ! READ! READ! Read serious books that will extend your outlook and vocabulary.
- Firm up your list of colleges. Check admissions and entrance exam requirements.
- Visit colleges if possible.
- Do something CONSTRUCTIVE! Become a volunteer, seek out internships, attend a summer seminar, obtain a paying job to help defray upcoming college expenses, or travel. Make your summer worthwhile.
- Polish up your personal statement and resume, so that you will be ready to complete your applications in a timely fashion.
- In June, finalize the list of colleges to which you will apply and create a timeline using the College Board Application Checklist.
- In July and August begin college applications available online.
Senior Year
August - September
- Register to take the SAT or ACT, if you have not done so already, or retake the exam to improve your score.
- Visit with college representatives at CSHS throughout the school year.
- Begin applying to In-state and Out-of state colleges. Most applications will be online by now.
- Begin requesting letters of recommendation if needed.
- Plan to attend a financial aid night in September.
September - October
- Inquire at your counseling office about upcoming college visits and College Fairs.
- Utilize the Internet for scholarship searches www.fastweb.com or check out the public library.
- If you have not done so already, finalize your list of colleges for which you would like to apply. Check admission requirements and application deadlines.
- Begin filling out your college applications and finalizing your college essays.
- Common Application is useful for applying to multiple out-of-state colleges. For in-state, it is best to use the college specific online application.
- Make arrangements for your transcripts to be sent.
- Request any recommendations that are required. IF YOU NEED A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION, BE CERTAIN TO GIVE AMPLE TIME (at least one month) FOR THE ADULT REQUESTED TO PREPARE AN APPROPRIATE LETTER.
- Attend college fairs.
- Access FAFSA (financial aid form) at www.fafsa.ed.gov. For PIN information visit www.pin.ed.gov. The FAFSA will tell you what you qualify for in guaranteed student loans and grants from the federal government.
- Submit the FAFSA form as soon as possible (Check school websites for deadlines). Money is available on a first come first served basis.
- NOTE: FAFSA opens online for submission October 1st.
November - December
- Continue to apply to colleges. Send in all college applications and housing forms by winter recess.
- Continue to listen and look for scholarships that are available in the counseling office through the Internet and library.
- Meet with college and military recruiters at CSHS.
January
- Once college applications are submitted, check with the admissions office to be sure all materials have been received.
January - February
- Send mid-year reports to colleges.
- Begin looking for local scholarship opportunities through the counseling office.
January - April
- Continue to listen and look for scholarships that are available in the counseling office, on the internet and in the library. Pay close attention to deadlines for applications and other required forms.
Early April
- All colleges will notify you by this time of your acceptance status. The more competitive colleges deliberate longer. Keep your counselor informed about your college plans and scholarships received.
Mid April
- If you are unhappy with the financial aid package at any of the colleges where you have been accepted, call that office and discuss it.
May
- Remember, you must still complete your senior year. Your grades for this last semester become part of your final record sent to colleges.
- Take AP Exams and IB Exams if enrolled in these classes. Take CLEP tests if desired.
- Notify your counselor of your college choice.
May - July
- Apply for summer jobs so that you can meet summer earnings expectations.
- Request your final transcript.