College Preparation Timeline for High School Students

 

EAST – WEST SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES

COLLEGE PREPARATION TIMELINE

 

FRESHMAN YEAR

❏ Build strong academic skills by doing well in all courses

❏ Study hard and get excellent grades

Do your best to earn Grade Point Average (GPA) of  80% or above

Read at least 5 fiction/nonfiction books during Freshman year

❏ Become involved in school activities and volunteer for community activities

❏ Meet with your counselor to discuss your plans for the next four years

❏ Begin building your Student Resume by keeping track of your activities, honors, work experience and    academic record

❏ Begin saving money for college

❏ Register for SAT subject tests, if appropriate

❏ Plan on visiting college campuses while on vacation

 

SOPHOMORE YEAR

❏ Continue building a strong academic record

Set academic goal to earn Grade Point Average (GPA) of  85% or higher

❏ Continue to participate in extracurricular activities and community service

        Read at least 5 fiction/nonfiction books during Sophomore year

❏ Consult with your guidance counselor about taking the PSAT as a sophomore

❏ Speak with your counselor about taking the PSAT as a sophomore

October Take PSAT

December receive PSAT results

❏ Check out  www.collegeboard.org , review PSAT scores

Perform internet research about colleges, careers, and scholarships

❏ Register for SAT subject tests, if appropriate

❏ Update your Student Resume

❏ Explore summer enrichment programs offered at universities

❏ Complete a career search

 

JUNIOR YEAR

Be prepared to work hard this year!

Junior Year is the most important year to prepare for College

Aim to achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 90% or better

Make sure to read at least 5 fiction/nonfiction books during Junior Year

 

September/October

❏ Get off to a strong start in school

❏ Register for and take the PSAT

 

November/December

❏ PSAT results available

❏ Begin to research a preliminary college list

❏ Register for January SAT if you are in the Fall SAT elective

 

December/January

❏ Register for SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT tests

❏ Are you on track to meet your graduation requirements?

 

February/March

❏Request an Individual parent/student counselor conferences

❏ Surf the Web for college, career, and scholarship information

❏ Begin visiting colleges you have interest in - Spring break is an excellent time to see colleges

❏ Begin researching summer opportunities

❏ Continue to participate in school and community activities

 

April/May

❏ Take appropriate SAT/ACT test

❏ Begin a filing system for college material

❏ Send for college information

❏ Make appointments for tours and/or interviews and visit colleges

 

June

❏ Take SAT/ACT

❏ Request teacher recommendation letters

❏ Take final exams and Regents exams in school

❏ Finalize your Student Resume

Finalize your College List

 

July/August

❏ Do something meaningful during the summer that you can talk about in essays and interviews

❏ VISIT COLLEGES

❏ Begin organizing possible essays for colleges

 

SENIOR YEAR

r  There is a lot to do this year! Remember to be organized, meet deadlines and ask questions

r  Work hard to earn a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 95% or better

r  Keep reading – be sure to read at least 5 fiction/nonfiction books during Senior year

 

September

❏ Be sure you have all the courses and credits required for graduation

❏ Register for the SAT Reasoning test, SAT subject tests, and/or ACT tests

❏ Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers, employers and others who know you well

❏ Prepare college applications

If you decide to apply early decision, submit your application to your counselor two weeks before its deadline

❏ File CSS PROFILE Financial Aid form if your college requires it

 

 

October

❏ Review your high school transcript with your counselor

❏ Finish college essays

❏ Continue visiting colleges

❏ Check the College Representative visiting schedule in the Guidance Office

❏ Register for SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT exams

❏ Continue to work on college applications - MEET EARLY DECISION DEADLINES

❏ Attend college fairs/open houses

❏ Begin to apply for scholarships

 

 

November

❏ Finalize college choices

❏ Take SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests and/or ACT exams

❏ Talk with college friends home for Thanksgiving

❏ Submit college applications - keep copies of everything you send out

❏ Send SAT Reasoning Test, SAT subject tests and/or ACT results directly to colleges

❏ Continue to check for Scholarship information

❏ Check status of Letters of Recommendation

 

 

December/January

❏ FAFSA (Federal Financial Aid Forms) available in January at  http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/- must be filed by student and parent in early January

❏ NOTE: All colleges need to receive mid-year grades - AVOID SENIOR SLUMP

❏ Are all your applications submitted?

 

February/March

❏ File all appropriate forms as soon as possible

❏ Any applications still not submitted should be completed as soon as possible

if the deadline allows

❏ Notify your counselor of all college acceptances, rejections, and wait-listed status

❏ Continue to check for scholarships

 

April/May

❏ Make final decisions about college - Submit necessary deposit

❏ Report all college decisions to your counselor - notify him/her about which college you will attend

❏ Report all scholarships, grants, and awards to your counselor

 

June

❏ Confirm post high school plans with your counselor

❏ Meet all graduation requirements

❏ Meet all college deadlines to ensure your place in the college of your choice.

❏ GRADUATION - Congratulations and Good Luck