Timeline - College Prep

Admission to College is not an event that occurs during your senior year; rather, it is a journey that begins in the 9th grade.  In order to avoid the stress that many seniors face in the fall of the 12th grade, keep organized and stay ahead of deadlines.  The last thing you want to do is fill out college applications, write your personal statement, and track down your teachers, coaches, and counselor for that necessary LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION during your final Christmas Vacation before you leave for college. Your family will appreciate it as well.

Senior Action Plan

Pulling Your Applications Together Copyright © 2008 collegeboard.com, Inc.

• Narrow your list of colleges to between 5 and 10 and review it with your counselor. Get an application and financial aid info from each. Visit as many as possible.
• Make a master calendar and note:
  • Test dates, fees, and deadlines
  • College application due dates
  • Required financial aid applications and their deadlines
  • Recommendations, transcripts, and other necessary materials
  • Your high school's deadlines for application requests, such as your transcript
• Ask for recommendations. Give each person your resume, a stamped, addressed envelope, and any required forms.
• Write application essays and ask teachers, parents, and friends to read first drafts.

Junior Action Plan

• At school, sign up early to take the PSAT/NMSQT® in October. Get PSAT/NMSQT tips and a free practice test.

Start Your College Search

• Start with you: Make lists of your abilities, preferences, and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college.
• Jumpstart your college planning by reading about majors and careers.
• Use College Search to find colleges with the right characteristics.

Start Thinking about Financial Aid

• Talk to your counselor about your college plans and attend college night and financial aid night at your school. Use financial aid calculators to estimate your aid eligibility and college costs.

• Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans. Review your schedule with him or her to make sure you're enrolled in challenging classes that will help you prepare for college. Colleges prefer four years of English, history, math, science, and a foreign language.
• Start a calendar with important dates and deadlines.
• Get more involved with your extracurricular activities.
• Use College Search to find out the required courses and tests of colleges that you might be interested in attending.
• Go to college fairs in your area.

Consider Taking the PSAT/NMSQT®

• Sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT, which is given in October. Ask your counselor which date is offered at your school. Get free online PSAT/NMSQT practice.
• If you're taking the PSAT/NMSQT check 'yes' for Student Search Service® to hear about colleges and scholarships.

• Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans. Review your schedule with him or her to make sure you're enrolled in challenging classes that will help you prepare for college. Colleges prefer four years of English, history, math, science, and a foreign language.
• Use College Search to find out the required courses and tests of colleges that you might be interested in attending.
• Start a calendar with important dates and deadlines.
• Get more involved with your extracurricular activities.
• Go to college fairs in your area.