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Pre-College Calendar and Checklist
  

I.     COLLEGE PLANNING CALENDAR (ACTION TASKS FOR EACH STATE OF COLLEGE PLANNING)

 

Deciding on the right college is an activity that should be done over a period of time with considerable thought and effort.  During the senior year especially, it is desirable to set up an organized system for all the counselor newsletters, specific college materials, applications (both college and scholarship), and other information.  Enlisting assistance from counselors and parents can be especially beneficial as you balance college activities with classes and other high school activities.  The following action-oriented calendar can help you negotiate the college selection path during your high school years.

 

If you have not taken either the SAT or the ACT, your application process may be hindered.  The last testing date for many college admissions deadlines is in the month of October of your senior year.  If you are not a United States citizen or if English is your second language, please make an appointment to see your guidance counselor.  We will need to discuss the TOEFL and the process for international student’s college admission.

 

*If you are seeking appointment to a military academy, it should be initiated in the spring of your junior year.

 

Things to consider:

 

As you begin the process, think about what you want in a college.  Only you can decide what is best for you.  Don’t pick a college based only on what you hear!  Do your research!!  Things to consider include: size, location, reputation, major areas of study, diversity, climate, cost, etc.  One of the worst things that you can do is to assume that a college is right for you.  Take a realistic look at your chances for admission.  What was the average SAT/ACT score for the previous years class?  Use the school profile to determine your options.  How many applicants were wait listed?  How many from the list were later admitted?  Use the Internet and the guidance center.

 

Applying to college is the first step that you must take in becoming a professional.  Impressions count!  Dress, behave, and prepare yourself and your paperwork in a professional manner.  Many of the judgments formed by admissions staff members will be formed by the neatness and timeliness of your application.  It is also important to meet and talk with representatives when they visit the school.  The representatives are admissions counselors themselves.  These are the people who can assist you if you approach them seriously and courteously.

 

Time management is critical.  Chart the deadlines that you will need to remember.  Honors programs, scholarships, and admissions deadlines are critical dates.  Missing deadlines can cost you money and opportunities.  If you are considering EARLY DECISION, please make an appointment to see your guidance counselor.

 

*Establish a professional e-mail address to communicate with college officials.

*The search for scholarships should begin early.  The Internet list in your senior packet is a great place to start.  One of the best is www.fastweb.com.  Once you have an e-mail, go on-line and submit your profile.  Many scholarships are available through businesses, community organizations, and churches.  Check with every available source.  There will be a file available in the guidance office with copies of the scholarships sent to the school.  YOU must do the work!! START EARLY.  The same deadlines for recommendations and transcripts apply – TWO WEEKS.

 
    II.     CHECKLIST FOR JUNIOR YEAR

August

  • Review your high school coursework and activity plans
  • Keep in mind that colleges look for the following:
    • challenging coursework
    • GPA
    • how you spend your free time: your involvement in extracurricular activities such as sports, volunteer work, church or community involvement

September

  • Identify the sources of college and career information in your school. Start looking through guidance publications, college catalogs and guidebooks.
  • Put together a list of 10 colleges that you would like to attend. Plan to apply to 3-5 schools.
  • Talk to your parents, along with your high school counselor, about where you want to go to school.
  • Study for, and register to take, the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT).
  • Obtain dates and locations of college fairs and "parent nights" in your local area.

October

  • Take the PSAT/NMSQT. (Remember to take your calculator.)
  • Obtain a social security number. You will need it to apply for college and financial aid.
  • Attend college fairs and financial aid/"parent nights."

November

  • Call 1-800-4FED-AID and ask for free copies of financial aid materials, including the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • Start looking into eligibility requirements of the different federal and private student loans available. A good source for obtaining free, up-to-date information on low-cost student loans is EDUCAID: 1-800-EDUCAID.

December

  • Your PSAT/NMSQT score report should be arriving. Use their enclosed guide to interpret and understand your score.
  • Start planning to take the SAT I and/or SAT II exams, if necessary. You may also need to take the ACT. Check with your college to find out specific testing requirements. Ask your high school counselor about registration date deadlines.

January

  • Begin scheduling visits to each of the 3-5 schools on your final list.
  • During your college visits, make sure you meet with an admission representative and a financial aid officer to find out what type of aid is available.
  • Attend financial aid nights, if you have not already done so.

February

  • Start seriously investigating private scholarships and other student aid programs. Ask your teachers and counselor if there are any local organizations offering free use of a scholarship search program.
  • Begin studying for and registering to take the SAT and/or ACT exams.

March

  • Continue investigating outside funding sources.
  • Register and study for the SAT (I and II) and/or the ACT exams.

For more information about financial aid and answers to your questions, see www.educaid.com.

April

  • Go through the catalogs of the 3-5 schools that interest you the most. If appropriate, apply for an interview and/or an overnight visit.
  • Consider taking the Advanced Placement (AP) exams while information is fresh in your mind.

May

  • Take the SAT (I and II) and/or the ACT exams.
  • From early to mid-May, Advanced Placement (AP) exams are given in high schools nationally.
  • Be aware of test dates and registration deadlines for the remaining SAT I and SAT II exams. You may take them during your Senior Year in high school.
  • Continue compiling information to find out which organizations award scholarships to graduating seniors. (You may have to begin applying for outside funding during the summer before your senior year in high school.)

June

  • Take the SAT (I and II) and/or ACT exams.
  • Read widely and review your math skills over the summer. This will help you to prepare for the SAT.
  • Obtain a summer job that might be related to your career interests.
  • If possible, use your summer job to save some money to pay for college costs.
  • If you travel this summer, consider scheduling a college visit.

    III.    CHECKLIST FOR SENIOR YEAR

 

FALL (September – October – November)

 

  • Make sure your high school course selections are appropriate for your interests, and that you are meeting high school graduation and college requirements.
  • Confer with your counselor about your current plans and evaluate those plans in light of your high school grades and test scores

 

*After researching, narrow your choices.  If you apply to more than 7 schools, you      may be risking your chances for admission.  You should include a safety school (on you know you can get into), a medium range, and a reach school.

 

  • Request application materials for admissions, scholarships, and financial aid to schools which you intent to apply, if you have not already done so.
  • If you are requesting college admission on and Early Action decision, be sure that your application materials are submitted by the deadline.

 

*COPY everything before you send it

 

  • Attend college fairs and meet with postsecondary school representatives at your high school.
  • Visit the schools you are considering to observe the school and select your top choices.  Make arrangements in advance for a personal admissions counselor, a financial aide administrator, and a person in the department representing your intended major.  Stay overnight in the dormitory.  Every student may take up to three days for college visits.  Please check with the guidance office for a form excusing the absence.  The day still counts as an absence but it is excused.
  • Take or re-take the SAT I or the ACT, remember some select colleges request and Achievement Test also, called SAT II.
  • Be aware of admissions and financial aid application deadlines, and meet them.  Don’t procrastinate.  Keep accurate records of all applications and supporting materials you submit.  If you apply on-line, don’t forget to notify guidance and to request forms and information that needs to be processed.
  • Be aware of application deadlines for any private scholarships you intend to seek, and meet them.  Keep records of your applications and letters.  Enlist the help of your parents by providing the monthly copy of guidance news to them.
  • Devote time, energy, and thought to writing and re-writing required essays.
  • Complete your college résumé.
  • Give recommendation forms to teachers, counselors, and other persons from whom you are seeking references at least two weeks before they are due to be returned:  include a stamped, addressed envelope.  Follow-up with your references to make sure they have remembered to send them.
  • If you are seeking appointment to one of the military academies, make sure your file is current with the person or organization from which you are seeking a nomination.
  •  If you are seeking an athletic scholarship, send a copy of your game schedule to the appropriate coaches at schools of your interest:  ask you high school coaches about contracts they might have.  You must also register with the NCAA Clearinghouse (if you want to participate in Division I or II athletics).  See your coach or counselor.  The best method for registering is on-line.  A minimal number of forms are sent to the guidance office in September.  Registration will require a fee (last year the fee was $27.00.  You should request that a transcript be sent when you apply and when you graduate.
  • If portfolios audition tapes, writing samples or other evidence of talent is required for admission or for scholarships, finalize them.
  • Schedule admission interviews if required or recommended.

 

WINTER (November – December – January)

Complete applications and mail them before the Christmas holidays.

 

  • Remind your parents to attend the Financial Aid Workshop, which will be held early in December.  You should attend also.
  • Submit your family’s financial information on the need analysis document (FAFSA), as soon after January 1 as possible.  It will require tax information from both you and your parents.  There will be a workshop to help you prepare.  Listen to announcements and read bulletins.  Visit www.finaid.org to see how the “Family Contribution” is estimated.

 

*Males 18 years old must register with the Selective Service.

 

  • Confirm that all school admissions application materials, including recommendations have been sent on schedule.  Your must allow at least one month for all mail to be received and processed.  If there is a problem, calmly notify the guidance office for assistance.  There is a $2.00 charge to cover the cost of sending each transcript.
  • Request that your high school send a copy of your transcript, which includes first semester senior grades to the schools to which you have applied.
  • If the schools to which you are applying require additional application forms for financial aid, or request copies of your family’s income tax returns for verification, submit them immediately.
  • Continue to seek and apply for scholarships.

 

SPRING (March – April – May)

 

  • Make your final decision about which postsecondary institution you will attend.  Notify the school of your choice in writing by the appropriate deadline.  Decline other offers of admission in writing (other students may be waiting for that place on the freshman class).
  • Review your financial aid award letter with your parents:  be sure that you understand the terms and conditions that accompany each kind of aid.
  • Sign your financial aid award letter and any other items requiring your signature and return it.  Schedule and appointment with the financial aid administration.
  • Fill out your senior exit forms with the guidance office.

 Applying to college may seem overwhelming at first.  The key is to use time management skills and the resources available.  This checklist will help if you read it carefully and ask questions.  You do not have to pay anyone to help you.  You simply have to take the initiative to make things happen for you.  The application process itself can help to prepare you for the college experience.  You will need patience and diligence.