Spring of Junior Year- RESEARCH & PLAN
  • Talk with your family and prioritize what factors are important to each of you as you search for a college.   Consider location, cost, size, selectivity, campus life, academic programs, class size, safety, career placement, internships, foreign study, financial aid and scholarship possibilities.
  • Make an appointment with your Guidance Counselor at school to discuss your plans.
  • Talk with your teachers.  They are a valuable resource.
  • Obtain information about the colleges that interest you. Contact the admissions office of those schools that interest you to request a catalog, application and scholarship/financial aid information.  Find out when Open Houses and Visitation Days are scheduled. 
  • Take the SAT (collegeboard.com-13) and/or ACT (Act.org- 14).
Spring of Junior Year and Summer entering Senior Year- VISIT
  • Visit all of the campuses of the colleges you are considering.   This is your opportunity to learn as much as you can about the academic and social life.  Come prepared with a list of questions that reflect your concerns. Go to www.collegetours.com (link website –15)
Fall of Senior Year- DECIDE & APPLY
  • Consider retaking the SAT or ACT if you think you can improve your score
  • Register to take the SAT II(collegeboard.com-16) Subject Tests.  Some colleges you are applying to require you to do so.  Check with the college you are applying to for details. Most colleges do not require this.
  • Talk to your Guidance Counselor by early fall if you are interested in a Military Academy Appointment (link to Military Academy worksheet- 17) or the ROTC (link to ROTC info.17). 
  • Obtain college applications as soon as possible.  Check with your Guidance Counselors for some applications, it is your responsibility however to secure applications.
  • Read and follow application instructions carefully.  Pay close attention to directions and deadline dates.  Stay organized.  Allow yourself enough time.  Plan ahead.
  • Ask your Guidance Counselor for application submission details. They may want you to submit it to the counselor directly.
  • Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse (ncaaclearinghouse.com- 18) if you plan to compete in a Division I or Division II sport.  Make your counselor aware that you plan on doing this.
  • Fine-tune your resume (link to Sample Resume- 19) making sure to include your activities, accomplishments, honors and goals.  Include this in your college application.
  • Write a thoughtful and interesting essay (link to College Essay Sample- 20) that reflects what is special about you. Let your individuality shine through.  Some but not all colleges require a college essay.
  • Ask teachers/advisors/coaches for letters of recommendationsfor college application.  Give them at least 2-3 weeks to complete.
  • Make arrangements for an interview, audition or portfolio review if is required.  Be aware of deadlines dates.
  • Meet with college representatives.
  • Determine which forms (FAFSA- 22, CSS Profile-23) the individual colleges require. FAFSA is available in December.  Both can be completed online.  Colleges provide their institutional form.