Discuss your short and long-term educational goals, needs and preferences with your parents, teachers, and counselor.
Think about what kinds of careers interest you. Use all available resources, i.e., internet, library, parents, teachers, and counselor.
Think about the type of schools or colleges you would like to attend.
Begin to investigate colleges.
Take time each day to improve your reading and vocabulary skills.
Develop and use good organizational and study skills.
Find out from your counselor the courses that you must take to meet college admissions requirements.
Remember to do your best in all school subjects.
Take advantage of tutoring services.
Take advantage of academically challenging classes in your strongest subjects.
Participate in school and community activities.
Develop a plan for managing your time. Budget time for studying and activities.
Remember to take the FSAT/NMSQT in October of your sophomore and junior years of high school.
Junior Year
September
See your guidance counselor about college selection resources available at your school (The College Handbook, College Searches, CollegeView).
Register for the October FSAT/NMSQT.
If possible, start saving money towards your student contribution to college costs.
October
Take the PSAT/NMSQT.
Investigate scholarships. Apply to those available to juniors, note scholarships you will be eligible for your senior year.
Continue to investigate colleges:
Meet with college admissions representatives when they come to your high school.
Attend local college fairs.
Use resources available at vour school and the public library.
Ask your guidance office about how and when your school calculates class rank.
Ask your guidance office to calculate your cumulative grade point average.
November
Develop a list of potential college majors.
Initiate a computerized college search to help you begin to identify colleges that match your personality, academic and extracurricular needs, and lifestyle.
December
You will receive your FSAT/NMSQT score report this month. Use the results to identify academic skills that need to be improved. Review your score report and plan a strategy for working for an improved score..
Begin to make summer plans. Give strong consideration to the Governor's Schools and other activities that will enhance your college application.
January
Begin to develop a list of 8-10 colleges that match your needs and interests and mail requests for admissions information to these schools.
February
Start educating your parents and yourself about college costs. Ask your counselor for copies of financial aid and planning publications.
Investigate private scholarship programs. Start by asking your counselor for a list of programs. Your church, your parents' professional or fraternal organizations, and trade unions may offer scholarships. The public library is a good source of scholarship information. You can also locate scholarship information by accessing the internet. Try accessing fastweb.com
Talk you to your counselor, teachers, and parents about registering for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (lB) or College in High School (CHS) courses.
March
Register for the May SAT I and the June SAT II Tests (if your college requires you to take these exams).
Begin to plan visits to colleges you are considering. A college visit is an important part of your selection process.
Plan to attend the National College Fair.
Ask your counselor about your cumulative CPA and class rank.
April
Try to arrive at 5-8 reasonably firm college choices. Be sure they match your academic and other needs and interests. One "safety" school, and a few "reach" schools are normal.
Make a list of the admissions standards and requirements (required tests, high school courses, letters of reference, interviews) for the schools you have selected.
If possible, attend a SAT Preparation Class.
May
Take the May SAT. You may want to use the SAT Question and Answer service that provides you with a copy of your answer sheet, the test questions and correct answers to all questions.
Identify teachers, administators, counselors, coaches and others who can write strong letters of recommendation for you.
Continue to seek out and apply to scholarship sources.
June
Take the June SAT II tests, if the schools that you wish to apply to require these exams.
Make arrangements to visit college campuses over the summer. In addition to admissions counselors, try to speak to students and faculty.
REQUEST APPLICATIONS FROM ALL SCHOOLS THAT ARE OF INTEREST TO YOU!
July
Begin writing your college application and scholarship essays. You may be able to write a general essay that can be adapted for each school.
As you gather specific information about your schools of interest, begin to complete the INVESTING NOW "Comparative Chart of Facts and Impressions about Colleges.
August
Attend a SAT Preparation Class.
Narrow your list of schools to 3-5 colleges, and make sure you have visited or plan to visit each school on your list.
Identify and apply to a "safety" school where you know that you'll be accepted.
Register for the October SAT. The registration deadline is usually the second week of September.
Get ready for the most exciting, busiest, and best year of your life! Prepare yourself mentally to make some very important life decisions.
Senior Year
August
Request applications and information from colleges
Visit schools and/or plan fall visits to narrow your choices
Look into fall overnight and weekend college visitation programs
September
Take academic classes your senior year.
Mark your calendars for college fairs and admissions representative visits.
Meet with your counselor to develop your college admission plan.
Ask teachers, administrators, counselors and coaches, identified previously, to write strong letters of recommendation for you.
Consider early decision/early action programs; remember your ethical/moral obligation to that college if you apply early decision.
Begin submitting your completed college applications to your guidance office- be sure to photocopy all applications before handing them over.
Seek out and apply to scholarship sources
October
Create a schedule of admissions and financial aid deadlines.
Take the October SAT and/or SAT II Subject Tests.
Request transcripts and letters of recommendation.
Continue to seek out and apply to scholarship sources.
November
Give all completed college applications to your high school guidance counselor by Thanksgiving.
Take the November SAT and/or SAT II Subject Tests.
Follow up to ensure that letters of recommendation are submitted.
Continue to seek out and apply to scholarship sources.
December
Read the colleges' literature regarding financial aid to find out if they require you to complete any type of institutional financial aid form.
Continue to seek out and apply to scholarship sources.
January
You should have a FAFSA filled out and mailed if your college has a January priority financial aid deadline date.. Photocopy before mailing.
Parents: obtain income tax information and/or complete tax forms early to help in completing the FAFSA. You may need to use estimated data if filing the FAFSA in January.
Continue to seek out and apply to scholarship sources.
File the CSS Profile if required.
February
Complete and mail your FAFSA.
Confirm that all necessary forms are submitted.
Watch the mail for your SAR.
Continue to seek out and apply to scholarship sources.
March
Inquire into Advanced Placement exams for college credit.
Watch the mail for your SAR.
Start looking for a summer job or intership.
Continue to seek out and apply to scholarship sources.
Watch the mail for your PHEAA Application (3-4 weeks after FAFSA is mailed in)
April
Compare financial aid awards relative to cost of attendance.
Make your final enrollment decision and submit the enrollment deposit if necessary.
Notify the schools you will not be attending.
Sign and return financial aid package award acceptance letter.
Continue to seek out and apply to scholarship sources.
Watch the mail for your PHEAA Application (3-4 weeks after FAFSA is mailed in)
May
Take AP exams.
Send final transcripts and student loan applications to your chosen college.
Contact your financial aid office to check your status; is your file missing anything?
Continue to seek out and apply to scholarship sources.
June
Complete any remaining financial aid forms.
Plan for college orientation, transportation, and housing.
Confirm student loan situation.
Aspire 2010 Events
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