Timetable for College Preparation


​Recommendations
We have compiled of list of recommendations to successfully prepare for college
​​

Freshman Year

  • Get to know your school counselor.
  • Get involved in school activities: do what you enjoy.
  • Get involved in community activities and service.
  • Earn the best grades possible.
  • Take the most challenging (but appropriate) courses. 
  • Read on a regular basis, even if you have no school assignments.
  • Depending on your courses, you might decide to take an SAT II Subject Tests at the end of the year; talk with your counselor.
  • If your family passes near a college campus during spring or summer vacation, stop and take the tour.
  • In addition to enjoying your time off, plan to do something constructive with your summer vacation.

Sophmore Year

  • Stay in touch with your school counselor.
  • If your school offers them, take the PSAT or PLAN in the fall.
  • Remain involved in school and community activities: follow your passions!
  • Earn the best grades you can.
  • Continue to take the most challenging courses you can.
  • Depending on the courses you take this year, it is even more likely that you would consider an SAT II Subject Test at the end of the sophomore year; talk with your counselor.
  • In the spring, look at the list of senior college acceptances: who do you know and where are they going? Talk to them about their choices.
  • Continue to take advantage of college visits if your family is near a college to get a feel for different types of colleges.
  • Use your free time in the summer productively, while also enjoying your time off.

Junior Year

  • This is the most important year academically: do your best and challenge yourself appropriately. Continue to remain involved in activities; try to move into positions of responsibility or leadership.
  • Take the PSAT and/or PLAN in the fall.
  • Follow your school's guidelines for meeting with your counselor to start the college process; in many schools, the process begins in the late fall or after the holiday break.
  • In the winter, think of how you will prepare for your first SAT and/or ACT.
  • Review the typical junior year standardized testing schedule from your college coordinator or guidance counselor.
  • When you select your courses for senior year, get advice and choose wisely.
  • With your tutor and counselor, develop an initial list of colleges during the spring.
  • Try to make some preliminary visits to colleges during spring break.
  • Take advantage of college representative visits to your school, college fairs and evening programs in your community.
  • Research colleges; collect information.
  • Use your summer vacation time productively; visit colleges during the summer.

Senior Year

  • Don't forget how important your grades continue to be: the first semester/trimester  ​is critical.
  • Remain in close contact with your counselor.
  • Stay involved in activities that you enjoy; assume leadership positions and more responsibility.
  • Continue to add or subtract colleges from your list as you learn about schools, make visits, etc.
  • Pay attention to in-school deadlines and procedures established by your guidance or college counseling office.
  • If you are applying early, be aware that application deadlines are just a few weeks
    after school begins.
  • Make arrangements with teachers, tutors and others for recommendations; follow
    your school's procedures.
  • By Thanksgiving, your list of colleges should be final: six to eight schools is a good number for most students looking at selective colleges; get advice from your
    counselor.
  • Before the holiday break, meet early deadlines and/or preferred or recommended
    application deadlines for state universities, honors programs, rolling admission schools and scholarship programs. Give yourself plenty of time to work on applications, especially essays.
  • Know what financial aid forms are required, and submit them on time.
  • Take advantage of interviews when given the opportunity.
  • After completing your applications, continue to work hard: senior slump can have
    disastrous consequences.
  • As you receive decisions, inform the counselor, teachers, parents, tutors and class
    leaders who helped you; thank them.
  • In April, consider participating in the open house/accepted student programs hosted by colleges.
  • Have your one deposit at the school you will attend by May 1.
  • If you are on a waiting list, get advice from your counselor or tutor