College Planning Checklist
FRESHMAN YEAR
- Develop good study habits
- Learn about extra-curricular activities - many colleges consider talent and leadership
- Visit your School Counselor
- Begin high school resume of extra-curricular activities
- Monitor involvement with Social Media - can affect college admission
SOPHOMORE YEAR
- Continue with good study habits - work hard in classes (GPA matters!)
- Take the PSAT Test
- Check in with your School Counselor
- Consider attending the local College Fair
- Find summer job to start saving for college
- Participate in volunteer activities
JUNIOR YEAR
- Keep working hard in your classes - keep raising that GPA!
- Attend college rep visits at school--these are the people who will eventually read your applications
- Start a list of colleges you are interested in
- Take the PSAT seriously- it could lead to scholarships
- Initiate contact with colleges to request information and learn about preview days
- Attend College Fairs
- Plan to visit colleges, preferably when they are in session
- Explore SAT/ACT review courses
- Create a testing timeline including multiple testing dates if needed
- Update profile in SCOIR
- Meet with counselor for Junior Planning Meeting
- Talk as a family about college costs. Estimate costs at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov
- Request teacher recommendations in the spring
- Begin writing college application essays during the summer
- Continue to monitor involvement with Social Media
SENIOR YEAR
- See School Counselor as needed to help with college application process
- Continue studying - NO senioritis! (colleges can revoke admissions)
- Pay attention to deadlines!
- Know which schools require ACT/SAT scores directly from testing agency
- Update your profile on SCOIR
- Register for the ACT and/or SAT, if necessary
- Visit with College Representatives in the fall
- Finalize list of colleges - visit, visit, visit!
- Complete FAFSA after October 1st
- Attend local and/or national College Fairs
- Organize application and university scholarships by deadlines -Know application requirements for each school
- Attend financial aid workshop with your parents
- Secure letters of recommendation if required by school
- Submit transcript requests through SCOIR
- Complete and submit online college applications
- Complete FAFSA after October 1st
- Continue with scholarship search
- Complete Senior Exit Survey on time
- Notify your college of your plans to attend by accepting aid package and submit housing request and send in deposit on or before May 1st