COLLEGE READINESS MILESTONES
Below are suggested guidelines for the college readiness process, based upon each grade level.
Freshman Year
· Meet our college counselors and discuss your goals for the future.· Learn study and time management skills to earn excellent grades.
· Our college counselors can help you find the right courses to take in your school.
· Build strong academic and critical thinking skills by taking challenging courses.
· Attend your school campus information sessions with college admissions officials.
· Strengthen your vocabulary by reading.
· Participate in extracurricular activities that are meaningful to you.
· Think of reasons why you should attend college.
· Surf the Web to get an idea of what colleges may be of interest to you.
· Research what high school courses colleges require.
· Start your academic portfolio and begin your activity resume.
· Know NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) requirements if you want to play sports in college.
· During the summer, attend an enrichment program at a college to experience a college-like atmosphere.
Sophomore Year
Discover your talents and concentrate on academic preparation.
1st Semester
· Meet our college counselor and discuss your plans for the future.
· Develop your goals for the future.
· Attend the on-campus information sessions with college admissions officials.
· Build strong academic and critical thinking skills by taking challenging courses.
· Do well on the PSAT in October. This is a preliminary test that prepares you for standardized testing.
· Take an active role in extracurricular activities…focus on your interests.
· Stay on top of your academic work. Ask for help, if you need it.
· Explore the web to get an idea of what types of colleges may interest you.
· Save your best work in academic courses for your academic portfolio.
· Review results from the PSA at www.collegeboard.com/psattools to connect your scores to our contracting training centers for test prep.
2nd Semester
· Grades (GPA) are the #1 and #2 factor in the college admission decision. Do well on your exams. Stay “on top” of your academic work. Ask for help, if you need it.
· Strength of curriculum is the #3 factor in the college admissions decision. Plan for a rigorous junior year course load.
· Register by February if you plan to take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring.
· Find ways to lead a community service project or extracurricular activity.
· Apply for special summer courses or enrichment programs.
Junior Year
Beginning the college admission process…
Fall
· Make a strong academic start! Colleges take a close look at junior year performance.
· Attend the on-campus information sessions with college admissions officials.· In September, register for the October SAT Subject Test(s). Consult with your teachers and us on which subject tests to take.
· In September, Register for the SAT Subject Test for language which is only offered in November.
· Do your best on the PSAT/NMSQT that will be administered in October. This will prepare you for the standardized testing and may qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship.
· Attend a college fair to get more information about colleges on your list. NACAC sponsors college fairs in cities across the country during the fall and the spring. Visit NACAC's college fair website https://www.nacacfairs.org/ to check out the schedule for the National College Fairs and the Performing and Visual Arts College Fairs.
· Save samples of your best work, especially writing samples, for your academic portfolio (all year).· Explore ways to lead an extracurricular activity or community service project.
· Plan to visit college campuses during Thanksgiving and Christmas breaks.
· Review your results from the PSAT/NMSQT, log into ww.collegeboard.com/psattools to prepare for the spring SAT.
· Register for the March SAT www.sat.collegeboard.org/register and/or February ACT www.actstudent.org.
January
· Do well on your exams. The 2nd semester of your junior year is the last semester that will be reflected on your transcript.
· Begin making a preliminary list of colleges you would like to investigate further. Surf the Internet and review the literature in the college resource center.
· U.S. Service Academy applicants should apply for the summer seminar program.
February
· Begin the college application process.
· Take the ACT. Alternative for mandatory standardized testing.
· When selecting your senior courses, be sure to continue to challenge yourself academically and continue to take core courses.
· Meet with our college counselors to discuss your preliminary list of colleges. Discuss whether your initial list of colleges meet your current academic profile and interests (academic program, size, location, cost, etc.).
· Apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs. Colleges love to see students using their knowledge and developing skills outside of the classroom.
March
· Take the March SAT if possible.
· Write, telephone, or use the Internet to request admission literature and financial aid information from the colleges on your list. There is no charge and no obligation to obtain general information about admission and financial aid.· Talk with your parents about colleges that interest you. Spring break is the perfect time to visit colleges. We will help you find the right colleges to visit.
April
· Register for the May/June SAT Reasoning Test and/or the May/June SAT Subject Tests. Not all SAT Subject Tests are given on every test date. Check the calendar carefully to determine when the Subject Tests you want areoffered. Register for the June ACT if you want to take that test.
· Continue to evaluate your list of colleges and universities. Eliminate colleges from the original list that no longer interest you and add others as appropriate.
· Begin working on your senior brag sheet. Identify references (teachers, mentors, coaches, employers, etc.) that will write you a strong letter of recommendation for your college applications. Share your thoughts about applying to college with them. We will help you with all the above.
· Attend a National College Fair.
May
· Collect and prepare writing samples assemble your art portfolio or audition tapes.
· If you are an athlete and plan on participating in athletics in college, contact the coaches at the schools to which you are applying and ask about intercollegiate and intramural sports programs and athletic scholarships.
· Request recommendation letters from your mentor, teacher(s), coach or others who know you well. Provide them your activity resume, brag sheet, or other information that they may request.
· Prepare to visit prospective colleges. Email or phone your admissions counselor to set up appointments. Inquire about specific scholarships for each college. Interviews are always a good idea. Many colleges will tell you they are optional, but an interview will show interest, enthusiasm and initiative on your part and provide an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered. Do a practice interview with one of us, a teacher, or a senior who has experienced college interviews. Set up interviews as early as possible-interview times become booked quickly!
· Determine if you should take a standardized test preparation course over the summer.
June
· After school ends, road trip to visit colleges. Seeing the college firsthand, taking a tour and talking to student scan be the greatest help in deciding whether or not a school is right for you. Although it is ideal to visit colleges during the academic year, going in the summer will be valuable. Admission offices employ their students to give tours and answer questions from prospective students and their parents.· Begin practicing for the SAT, ACT and TOEFL using our contracting training centers or take a standardized test prep course.· Participate in clubs, service projects, community and extracurricular activities.
July
· Visit colleges, take tours, have interviews and ask questions. Make college visiting a family event. Involve your parents or guardian in every step of your application process. Choosing the right college is a tough decision the opinions of those who know you best can provide helpful insight into which college is best for you.
· Begin researching private scholarship opportunities.
August
· August 1, Common Application opens! Begin your college applications, especially if you are applying early action or early decision.· Register for the October SAT Reasoning Test and/or SAT Subject Tests or September/October ACT while you have time and access to a credit or bank card. · Finalize your list of “Colleges I’m Applying to” in Naviance Family Connection. Be sure your list includes “safety”,as well as good “likely” and “reach” schools. Decide if you will be applying early decision or early action. Early decision and early action deadlines fall in October and November.· Purchase a jump drive, because you will be jumping over the next few months.
· Know your social security number/passport number for your college applications.· Have access to a credit card to pay for testing and application fees.
· Complete the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Clearinghouse form if you hope to play Division I or II sports. (This form cannot be mailed until you finish your sixth semester of high school.)
· Explore opportunities for college nights and open houses.Senior Year Apply to colleges. Make decisions. Finish with pride in yourself and strong in your accomplishments.
September
· Get in the habit of checking your email frequently!
· Your college counselor plays a significant role in helping you get into college, so keep her informed. Meet with the college counselor to be sure your final list includes colleges appropriate to your academic and personal record. Review your transcript and activity resume with the college counselor to ensure accuracy.· Make sure that you have all required information to complete your applications for college admission and financial aid. Write, phone, or use the Internet to request missing information.· Check on application and financial aid deadlines for the schools to which you plan to apply. They may vary and it is essential to meet all deadlines! Deadlines are not negotiable!· International students should have an original bank letter or statement of financial responsibility, photo copy of your current I-20 and VISA to submit with the college application. Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require any other declaration or certification of finance forms.· Have your personal statement and application essays reviewed by a teacher or mentor.· Follow-up with your references about writing letters of recommendation for you. Provide recommendation forms, any special instructions and addressed business envelopes (if applicable) to the people writing your recommendation(s). Be thoughtful! Write thank-you notes to those who write recommendations and keep them informed of your acceptances and decisions.· As you work on your colleges applications, remember to write down all username and passwords.· Attend a regional college fair to investigate further those colleges to which you will probably apply. Visit the College Fairs section on NACAC's Web site https://www.nacacfairs.org to view the schedule for NACAC's National
· College Fairs and the Performing and Visual Arts College Fairs.
October
· Consult with your mentor and college counselor to review your final list of colleges. Be sure you have all bases covered (safety, match, reach). It is a good idea to make copies of everything before you submit your application.· If for some reason your application gets lost, you will have a back-up copy.· If applying for early decision or early action, submit your application now! Also prepare applications for “safety”schools. Remember, if you are accepted under the early decision option, you are expected to enroll at that college and to withdraw all other applications.· Submit applications in time to reach the colleges by the deadlines. Use Naviance Family Connectionhttps://connection.naviance.com/family-connection/auth/login/ to request that your transcripts be sent to the colleges to which you are applying at least 2 weeks prior to a deadline.· Begin preparing for submitting your FAFSA application www.federalAID.gov.· Have standardized test scores (SAT/ACT) sent by the testing agency to colleges on your list well ahead of your deadlines.
November
· Take the November SAT Reasoning Test or SAT Subject Tests (language). Don't forget to have test scores sent to colleges on your list.
· Register for the December SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests or ACT if needed. This should be the final test!· Be sure your first quarter grades are good.
· Continue completing applications to colleges.
· Check to see if the colleges to which you are applying require special financial aid forms. Register for the CSS Financial Aid Profile, if required, and obtain the college's own financial aid forms, if available.
· Keep all records, test score reports and copies of applications for admission and financial aid. Do not throw anything away until at least the end of your first year in college. Having detailed records will save you time and effort should anything be lost or should you decide to apply in the future to other colleges and scholarship programs.
December
· Have three (3) college applications submitted by December 1st, if you have not already been accepted and admitted to a college.
· Have all official test scores sent from the testing source to colleges on your list if you have not done so.
· If you applied for early decision, you should have an answer this month. If you are accepted, follow the instructions for admitted students. If the decision is deferred until spring or you are denied, submit applications now to other colleges.
· Research and apply for private scholarships and grant programs.
· Visit your colleges over the holiday break.January· Remember to monitor (READ YOUR EMAIL) your applications to be sure that all materials are sent and received on time and that they are complete. Follow Up! Have the colleges where you have applied received your (1)application, (2) test scores, (3) required essays and/or supplemental information, (3) application fee, (4) letters of recommendation, (5) transcripts, and (6) financial aid statements for international students? Stay on top of things and don't procrastinate you can ruin your chances for admission by not submitting missing information expeditiously or missing a deadline.· Parents and students, complete your income tax forms as soon as possible. You will need those figures to complete the FAFSA. Check to make sure your colleges or state does not require any other financial aid forms. If they do, contact the college's financial aid office.
· Do well on your exams. Midyear transcripts will be sent to your prospective colleges. REMEMBER…colleges reserve the right to change admission decisions.
Senior Year
January - February
· If you completed a FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks after submitting the FAFSA. Review the SAR carefully and check for any inaccuracies. If necessary, correct any items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor (if a college transmitted your data directly, notify the college of any change).· Complete private scholarship applications. You may be eligible for more scholarships than you think, so apply for as many as you can.· Enjoy your final year in high school, but don't catch senior it is!
March
· Submit a copy of acceptance and scholarship letters to the college counselor.
· Stays focused and keep studying-only a couple more months to go!
April
· Review your college acceptances and financial aid awards. Be sure to compare financial aid packages in your decision-making process. If you are positive you will not enroll at one or more of the colleges which accepted you please notify those colleges that you have selected another college. Keeping colleges abreast of your plans,enables those colleges to admit someone else. If you know which college you will attend, send your tuition deposit and follow all other instructions for admitted students. You must decide which offer of admission to accept by May 1 (postmark date).· If your first-choice college places you on their waiting list, do not lose all hope. Some students are admitted off the waiting list. Contact the college to let them know you are still very interested. Keep the college updated on your activities.
May
· May 1st is National College Decision Day! You must decide on the one college that you will attend. By May 1st,send in your tuition deposit to the college you will attend. Notify the other colleges that accepted you, that you have selected another college.· BE PROUD-you have completed a difficult task. Ware your college t-shirt or sweatshirt proudly on May 1st.· Take Advanced Placement examinations, if appropriate and request that your AP scores be sent to the collegeyou will attend.· Update Naviance Family connection https://connection.naviance.com/familyconnection/auth/login/ with the “College That I’m Attending”. School will use this information to send the college your final transcript after graduation.
· Provide the College Counselor with copies of your scholarship and grant letters.
June
· Notify the college of any private scholarships or grants you will be receiving.
· Know when the payment for tuition, room and board, meal plans, etc., is due. If necessary, ask the financial aid office about a possible payment plan that will allow for you to pay in installments.· Congratulations, you've made it through high school! Enjoy your graduation and look forward to college.July· Look for information in the mail from the college about housing, roommate(s), orientation, course selection, etc.· Respond promptly to all requests from the college.
August-September
· Ease the transition into college. Accept the fact that you'll be in charge of your academic and personal life. What you do, when you do it and how things get done will be up to you. You'll have new responsibilities and challenges. Think about budgeting your time and establishing priorities. Take charge of the changes that lie ahead and eliminate or minimize pressures. Go forth with confidence and enthusiasm, willingness to adapt and determination to succeed academically and personally.· Pack for college. Don't forget to include things that remind you of friends, family and your current classmates. Be prepared for th enew opportunities and challenges. Have a great freshman year!
