Admission Process - College Search Schedule

Junior Year
September
•Inquire about the October Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test and National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test date, time and location.
•Meet with your guidance counselor to review your junior year courses and discuss academic plans for senior year.
October and November
Take the PSAT/NMSQT.
December
•Receive results from PSAT/NMSQT.
•Read the materials sent with your scores and consult with your guidance counselor to determine how you might improve. This can be excellent preparation for the SAT I.
• Start looking through college guides which will become helpful as you narrow your search.
January
•Sign up for March SAT.
• Conduct a self-assessment. Analyze your interests and values. Identify personal goals and understand your reasons for wanting to attend college.
•Determine what you want in a college. Consider college characteristics and list what is important to you in a college. Examples might include location, size, cost and reputation.
•Start talking with teachers and other adults about colleges they recommend you consider.
February
•Begin to prepare for your SATs.
•Develop a preliminary list of colleges that meet your preferences.
Senior Year
September
•Meet with your guidance counselor to be sure that your college list is appropriate for your academic and personal record.
• Review your personal record with your guidance counselor to ensure their accuracy.
• Revisit some colleges before deciding whether to apply.
• Prepare applications and request necessary recommendations.
• Start thinking about your essays.
•Register to take the SAT I or ACT.
October and November
•Attend a College Fair to investigate further those colleges to which you will probably apply.
• Complete and submit your applications. Many colleges have early admission policies with early deadlines that you may want to consider. Be aware of deadlines!
• Start investigating scholarship opportunities, both locally and at the colleges to which you are applying.
•Discuss local scholarships with your guidance counselor, family and community organizations.
December
•File your last application.
• Consult with your guidance counselor again to review your short list of colleges. Be sure you have all your bases covered. If you have applied for early decision, you should receive a decision soon.
January
•Keep working on your grades. Courses continue to count throughout the senior year.
 
 
 
 
   
• Request college materials from your long list making note of deadlines, tests and application requirements.
• Begin to plan your senior schedule. Make sure that you are meeting the academic requirements of the colleges in which you are interested.
• Avoid taking a light senior year. Competitive colleges are looking for students who challenge themselves academically throughout high school.
March and April
Use your spring break to visit colleges. Be sure to attend campus tours and information sessions. If possible, sit in on classes, eat on campus and talk with current students. This is a great time to ask questions and take notice of differences between colleges.
May
•Attend a Spring College Fair to get information about colleges on your long list.
• Consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college, pursuing a summer school program, or volunteering with a community service agency.
June and July
•Continue visiting colleges during the summer, understanding that visitation programs vary.
• Become familiar with your school policy with regard to missing classes for college visits.
• Make the best use of your time by planning your visits in advance.
• Narrow your preliminary list of colleges to a manageable number including a balance of competitiveness: long shot, probable and sure shot. Make sure that you would be happy and successful at all colleges you submit applications to, including your sure shot.		 • Complete and send in your financial aid forms. The FAFSA should be available in your guidance office after January 1. Some colleges may also require supplemental financial aid forms.
February
•Monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time.
• Contact the colleges to be sure that your application is complete with the most current standardized test results.
March and April
•Look for admission decision letters in the mail.
• Continue to do your best work in school - colleges check for signs of senioritis!
• Make one last visit. Take advantage of spring break to make final comparisons before confirming at your first-choice college.
• Register for Advanced Placement tests if you qualify. Enrolling students who achieve high scores may receive college credit. Register for SAT II exams as required by the colleges of your choice.
Before May 1st.
•Decide on your college of choice and send in your tuition deposit accepting their offer of admission.
• Be proud of yourself - you have completed a difficult task!
• Notify the other colleges to which you have received an offer of admission that you have selected another school.
• Take Advanced Placement exams.
June and July
•Request that your guidance counselor send your final transcript to the college you will attend.
• Enjoy your graduation and look forward to college.
• Attend summer orientation of the college you will attend.
August
•Contact your roommate(s) and start your first year on a positive track.
• Pack for college. You don't have to pack your entire closet, trade cloths during visits home.
• Leave home for your new home and have a great year!
September
Have a blast in college!