Timeline for College Preparations

Special Section: Back to School 2009

Junior Year

Fall
• Sign up to take the PSAT/NMSQT or PACT in October. Get tips and a free practice test from www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org/aap.
• Take the PSAT/NMSQT or PACT.
• Start the college search by making lists of abilities, preferences and personal qualities. List possible areas of studies and accomplishments to be made while attending college,
• Research majors and careers through the Internet and resources in the guidance counselor’s office.
• Look for colleges with the right characteristics.
• Talk to a guidance counselor about college plans.
• Start thinking about financial aid. Attend college night and financial aid night at school. Use financial aid calculators to estimate aid eligibility and college costs.

Winter
• Plan the spring testing schedule by registering for the appropriate aptitude tests. Take either the SAT Reasoning Test or up to three SAT Subject Tests on the same day or the ACT. Visit each website to see the schedule of test dates and register online for the test or get this information from the guidance counselor. Have the testing center send the scores to desired colleges.
• Use each website to prepare for the test using a study plan based on PSAT/NMSQT or PACT results and explore lists of suggested colleges, majors and careers.

Spring
• Visit the preparation center to take a full-length official practice test and get a score and skills report. Be sure to sign up for the question of the day for daily practice.
• Start visiting local colleges: large, small, public and private. Get a feel for what works. Develop a list of 15 to 20 colleges that are possibilities.
• Do well on AP Exams and receive credit or placement at most colleges. Get AP Exam preparation through www.collegeboard.com.
• Review senior year class schedules with the guidance counselor. Take honors and AP classes if eligible and stick with sequences that have been started, for example, language classes.
• Plan summer activities early. Volunteering, getting an interesting job or internship, or signing up for special summer learning programs.

Summer
• Visit colleges. Take campus tours and, at colleges that are at the top of the list, schedule interviews with admissions counselors.
• Request applications from colleges. Check important dates as some universities have early dates or rolling admissions. Consult the college’s website, admissions office or guidance counselor for an idea of the application timeline.

Senior Year

Fall
• Submit College Admission Applications to desired colleges.
• Compare acceptance letters.

Winter
• Accept desired school’s final offer. Request high school final transcripts be sent to that college.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form (FAFSA) by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov. This is required annually and must have a copy of the parents filed IRS tax returns submitted with it.

Spring
• After the FAFSA form has been submitted, an award letter will be sent by the college illustrating the different types of financial aid the student qualified for including federal student loans, scholarships, grants, and work study programs. The award letter must be certified with the college’s financial aid department.
• Complete the appropriate student loan applications. Many student loan applications can be completed online.

Summer
• Contact the college to participate in orientation programs for incoming freshman and make the necessary arrangements for medical exams or health insurance coverage if not previously done.