COLLEGE ADMISSIONS CALENDAR: What every High School student needs to know.

• So, maybe attending college is something you’ve always wanted. Through the years you’ve developed good study habits and participated in various extracurricular activities. You’ve made it a point to sit down with your guidance counselor to ensure that you were taking the right classes ever since you started junior high school. Or maybe, it’s your junior year now and you’re deciding that college is something you want. Wherever you are in your thought process, the list of things to do to achieve your goal probably feels bigger than ever. No need to worry – Here’s a succinct step by step “To Do” list to get you started.


• JUNIOR YEAR
• 
  September
• Colleges take a good look at your grades from junior year, so make sure to pay attention, do your homework and study, study, study. Remember to save all your important documents on a portable drive or home computer; you won’t regret it.
• It’s more important than ever to be involved in activities outside of the classroom whether you’re involved in sports, the debate club, community service, etc. Colleges do pay attention to those with multiple interests, strengths in leadership and teamwork and who can show dedication to these activities.
• Start searching for private sources of financial aid. If your schedule allows it, get a possible part-time job. A personal savings account is also great, provided that you can withstand temptations to withdraw money from it.
• Find out information about the PSAT/NMSQT (PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). This exam will help you prepare for the SAT I and SAT II: Subject Tests and also make you eligible for some scholarships.
• Keep an eye out for upcoming college fairs. When you do attend, besides asking college representatives about a college’s academic programs, also ask about their financial aid.


• October
• Take the PSAT/NMSQT. (You can also take this exam in your sophomore year to get an idea of what the SAT is like, and where your strengths and weaknesses lie. However, scores from your sophomore year do not count toward entering the competition for scholarships as judged by the National Merit Scholarship Corporation.)


• November
• Start thinking about colleges you would like to attend and begin calling their admissions offices and requesting information. Take notes and talk to others (friends, guidance counselors, teachers, etc.) to gather further information in order to extend or narrow your choices.
• Remember – the internet is one of your best friends when it comes to searching for colleges. There are several professional websites that can provide you with statistics, majors, etc in order to get you started on your search for your top choices. Such websites include, but are not limited to: education-portal.com, Kaplan.com, Princetonreview.com and Collegeboard.com.
• You can also begin checking out college websites that interest you most. This can be a valuable step because, most times, a college website will tell you tell you a lot, both implicitly and explicitly about college life at the college to help narrow your choices.


• December
• Once you receive the results of your PSAT/NMSQT, meet with your counselor or teachers to discuss ways to improve. You can also sign up for an SAT I prep course to sharpen your SAT test-taking skills. Online practice is also available, though limited unless you decide to pay for a prep packet.
• Some colleges ask to see results from the ACT (American College Test). Now’s the time to sign up for the February test dates.


• January
• Apply for a Social Security number if you don’t already have one. Most colleges will ask for this on their applications, and you will also need it for financial aid purposes.
• If you haven’t done so already, sign up for an SAT I prep course.


• February
• Time to sign up for the SAT I.
• Take the ACT.


• March
• SAT I time.
• Plan a visit to a college or two during your spring break. Usually colleges have different breaks from high schools, and it will give you an opportunity to see an average day on campus without missing out on your schoolwork. Make sure to call the admissions office where they will schedule a tour and maybe even an interview. While on campus, you may also want to try to talk to a financial aid advisor.


• April
• Sign up for the May/June SAT I and SAT II: Subject Tests. (Many colleges look for at least three SAT II: Subject Tests. It’s best to take these tests during your junior year; however you can also take them in your sophomore year. Look to take one in your sophomore year if you finished a course and would like the information to be fresh in your mind.)
• Start eliminating choices from your potential college list.


• May
• Don’t forget to take the SAT I.
• Take the SAT II: Subject Tests. If you have been taking AP (Advance Placement) classes, you will most likely have AP exams during this time also.


• June
• You can take the ACT, if you haven’t already done so, during this month.


• Summer
• Summer vacation is a good time to start gathering writing samples or items for your portfolio if the colleges of your choice require them.
• Begin requesting college applications for admissions, financial aid and housing.
• Get a summer job and/or get involved to help flesh out your application. Schools like well-rounded students so this is a good time to assess where your gaps are in your application and find a way to fill them.


• SENIOR YEAR
• 
  September
• If for some reason you have not taken them already, or if you were unhappy with your scores, sign up for the October ACT or October/November SAT I or SAT II: Subject Tests.
• Give teachers and coaches any forms so they can write you a letter of recommendation.
• Find out if your schools require the CSS Profile in addition to the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). The CSS Profile is a financial aid application service of the College Board. Many schools use this application to determine non-federal student aid. Almost all schools refer to your FAFSA, so this application is a must. Don’t worry, though, it is not as daunting as it seems.


• October
• Check with your counselor to make sure that your transcript and test scores have been sent to the colleges that you have requested.
• Begin working on your college essays. Ask your teachers politely if they would look over these essays once you’re finished.
• If needed, take your second SAT I or II tests.


• November
• Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and fill out your FAFSA online. Make sure you sign up for a PIN (personal identification number) ahead of time to make the process go smoother. Your PIN will let you save all your information for the following years. If you want to mail your FAFSA in, make sure to pick up the FAFSA form from your high school. You can also print out a form from www.fafsa.ed.gov if you prefer.
• To make filling out the FAFSA easy, make sure to gather yours and your guardian(s)’ most recent tax forms and personal information. If you’ve filed taxes within the last year, you’ll need your tax information as well as your personal information.


• December
• Your college applications should be sent to your desired schools. Be sure to apply to multiple schools – from community to state to private – to ensure that you have a backup. You can always reapply later to your dream school, should you not get accepted this year.


• January
• Request that your first semester grades of your senior year be sent to the colleges of your choice.
• Fill out the FAFSA as close to January 1st as possible.


• April
• The time has finally arrived – here is where you make the big decision as to which college you will attend. Once you make your decision, make sure to send your tuition deposit. Also notify the colleges you didn’t choose, this way they know they have a spot open for another student.
• A few weeks after you send in your FAFSA, you will receive your SAR (Student Aid Report) in the mail. Make sure all the information is correct. If not, correct and return to FAFSA promptly.


• May
• If there are any loans that you will need to take out, now’s the time to start filling out loan applications. Also, keep in touch with your financial aid office during the next few months to ensure that all is going as planned.
• Fill out a housing/meal plan application for your school if you will be living on campus.


• June
• Notify your high school as to which college to send your final transcript.
• Notify the college of your choice of any private grants or scholarships.
• Check out the Bed Bath & Beyond website for ideas on how to fill your dorm room and tips on how to make the move from home to dorm a smooth one.


• July
• Keep checking your mail box. You should be receiving information regarding housing, orientation, course selection and other important things that you will need to know. You will also receive roommate information – this is a great time to reach out to them and start to get to know each other (as well as divide and conquer on some of the communal items you will need in the room).
• It's never too early to start packing. If you start little by little in the beginning of the summer, you’ll feel less stressed those last few days before your first day at college. Make lists - you can use Bed Bath & Beyond's for all of your dorm room needs. Plus, you’ll have more time to spend with family and friends before the big day.


• The transition from high school to college is an exciting time. Remember: with a little planning, the transition can be an easy one, so take everything one step at a time.