PREPARE YOURSELF FOR COLLEGE
Junior Year in High School
September - Inquire about the PSAT date, time, & place.
October - Take the PSAT.
December – Get the results of the PSAT, read your score, consult school counselor or any private advisor to determine how you might improve. This can be an excellent time to begin preparation for your SAT and ACT.
January - Register for the SAT and SAT IIs and the ACT. Begin to make a preliminary list of which colleges you would like to attend. Get your social security number.
February - Meet with your school counselor to prepare a more specific list of colleges to explore.
March, April, May - take SAT, ACT., etc.
March - Write to colleges on your list and evaluate the literature sent to you.
April - When selecting your senior courses be sure to continue challenging yourself. Look into summer jobs.
May - Attend a college fair. In May or June take the SAT II subject tests if appropriate. Take Advanced Placement exams if appropriate. Make wise use of your summer. This is a good time to begin working on college essays.
Senior Year in High School
September - Sign up for October and November SATs, ACTs, and SAT IIs if necessary. Meet with school counselor to be sure that your college list is compatible with your academic and personal records. Write to the colleges still on your list and request applications. Plan visits to colleges.
October - Take the SAT, SAT II, and ACT test. Attended annual college fairs investigating and making contact with those colleges to which you'll probably apply. Begin putting together information needed for applications. This is the time to be finishing up your college essays. If applying for early admission send application at the end of this month.
November - Take the SAT, ACT., SAT II tests. Continue filing applications. If appropriate, obtain your financial aid form.
December - Take any remaining tests that are necessary. Be sure all your college applications are filed. Remember to keep working on your grades throughout your senior year!
January - Be sure your transcripts for your first semester grades are sent to the colleges to which you have applied.
February, March, April - Remember to monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time.
May - Take Advanced Placement exams if appropriate. Request that your counselor send your final transcript to the college you will attend.
