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College Prep Timeline
Freshman Year
Get the best possible grades you can—Freshmen Year
Get the best possible grades you can—study hard!
Get involved in extra-curricular activities and community service—keep a record of your involvement.
Research possible careers.
Do research via the internet on the types of colleges that may interest you—check out their admission requirements.
Sophomore Year
July through December
Keep your grades up—STUDY!
Take the PLAN & PSAT tests. These are great practice tests for the ACT & SAT.
Become actively involved in extra curricular activities, take on a leadership role.
READ—strengthen your vocabulary.
Sophomore Year—January through June
Research colleges and possible career interest areas.
Take challenging courses.
Volunteer your time and talents—keep a record of your involvement.
While on spring or summer travels visit college campuses to get a feel for college life.
Junior Year
Summer
READ!
Research career interest areas and possibly shadow a professional for a day.
Volunteer your time and talents to your community.
Research colleges of interest to you.
Fall
Take the PSAT (October). This test is a practice test for the SAT I as well as the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Assume a leadership role in one or more of your activities.
Attend local college fairs.
Meet with college representatives that visit St. James.
Research colleges on the internet.
READ!
Winter
Attend area financial aid seminars.
Check out spring test dates & register for the ACT and SAT.
Meet with your counselor and discuss your college plans, standardized testing, curriculum, career thoughts.
Sort through all the literature that you are receiving from colleges and create three piles (very interested, interested, slightly interested).
Register for AP exams if applicable (Feb.).
Spring
Register for the ACT and/or SAT.
READ! Keep up your grades.
Meet with college representatives that visit St. James.
Request info from colleges on your interest list.
Research SAT II Subject Tests—should I take a test or two in June?
Visit college campuses.
Attend a spring college fair—Great Plains ACAC will host a large program at Blue Valley NW —date TBA.
Check out summer programs on college campuses —these provide a great look at college life, possible career opportunities and some offer college credit.
May
AP Exams—if applicable.
Register for the ACT and/or SAT.
Pursue summer employment & community service opportunities.
Keep up your grades.
Senior Year
Summer
Research scholarship opportunities.
Sort through all the literature that you are receiving from colleges and create three piles (very interested, interested, slightly interested). By the time school starts your list should be between 3 and 15 colleges
Research career interest areas and possibly shadow a professional for a day.
Work on resume.
Think of possible college essay topics.
Look at retest opportunities in the fall for the ACT & SAT. Register early!
September
Update and finalize resume.
Narrow list of colleges you plan to apply to. Most students apply to 3-6 colleges or universities.
Register for ACT, SAT and/or SAT II Subject Tests.
Begin to submit applications.
Think about what teacher(s) you will ask to write a recommendation.
Meet with your counselor about your list of schools, test results and fall testing plans, and more.
Attend local college fairs.
Meet with college representatives that visit St. James.
October
Submit applications for admission and scholarships. Be aware of deadlines!
Attend local college fairs.
Meet with college representatives that visit St. James.
Write college essays, if applicable.
Meet with teacher(s) about recommendations.
November
Research special programs at schools of interest to you (honors program, Greek life, study abroad, ROTC, etc.).
Submit admission and scholarship applications.
Continue to write essays if applicable.
December
Interview if need be at colleges.
Attend local financial aid workshops.
Research scholarship opportunities and submit applications.
January
Complete FAFSA form and any individual college financial aid forms required.
Check out scholarship opportunities via the internet, parents’ employers, local civic organizations, etc.
Interview if need be at colleges.
Send seventh semester grades to colleges you have applied to (if requested).
February
Complete FAFSA form and any individual college financial aid forms required.
Check out housing opportunities at schools of interest to you.
Complete scholarship applications.
Register for AP exams, if applicable
March
Review financial aid and scholarship packages.
Make final campus visits if needed.
April/May
Make final visits and compare financial aid/scholarship packages before making a final decision.
Decision time—which campus will be the lucky one to have you?
Complete housing and enrollment forms at institution of choice.
May 1—Candidate’s Reply Date—notify all colleges that you have applied to of your plans for fall.
AP Exams
Request final transcript to be sent to college of choice.
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