📚 💡 📆 ⚽️ 💵 📝
College Planning Timeline
It’s never too early to start planning for college.
From freshman year to the senior grind, this timeline can help you get there.
Fall
Ninth and 10th Grade
📆 Meet with the School Counselor
Get to know your school counselor, check your class rank and GPA, and don’t be afraid to ask questions (they’ve likely heard them all).
⚽️ Get Involved
Extracurricular activities can help your college admissions application stand out. Look for sports, groups and clubs that match your interests, then join!
💡 Did You Know?
The ASVAB includes eight test areas: general science, arithmetic reasoning, math knowledge, word knowledge, paragraph comprehension, electronics information, auto and shop information, and mechanical comprehension.
Winter
Ninth and 10th Grade
📚 Focus On Getting Good Grades
All that studying in high school has an important purpose: freshman and sophomore grades are considered by college admissions and also impact your eligibility for some scholarships. It pays to always do your best.
Spring
Ninth and 10th Grade
📝 Sophomores, Take a Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)
Sophomore PSAT scores aren’t used for college admission, but they’re great practice. Plus, they get your name on college mailing lists, which is useful for receiving school information.
📋 Track Your Accomplishments
Keep track of academic and athletic awards, extracurricular feats, community service, and more. This list will be valuable when completing college applications or applying for financial aid.
💡 Did You Know?
The PSAT is like a practice test for the SAT. It offers plenty of incentive to bring your A game and if you do well enough, you could be eligible for a National Merit Scholarship.
Summer
Ninth and 10th Grade
☀️ A Summer Experience That Says Something
Start thinking about how summer work looks on a college application. Seek opportunities that align with your interests: volunteering, internships, civic duty.
📚 Keep Learning
Summer sessions at community colleges or adult education classes are great ways to explore interests or discover new ones. Check with your school counselor to see what’s available in your area.
💬 Chat With College Students Home for the Summer
Know someone who’s just finished their freshman year? Get their take on substantive questions, like “What advice would you give your high school senior self?”
Fall
11th Grade
📆 Meet With Your School Counselor
Determine which classes can put you in a good position for college. Your school counselors will be great resources throughout the college planning process.
📝 Take the PSAT in the Fall
If you haven’t taken it already, the PSAT is a good way to practice for the SAT, earn some academic recognition, and potentially win a scholarship from the National Merit Scholarship Program.
💵 Keep Exploring Financial Aid
Bring your parents or guardians to financial aid nights. These events provide valuable insights on saving money for school and applying for financial aid.
📝 Take the ASVAB To Explore Career Interests
If you haven’t already taken it or would like to improve your score, the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) is still a great option for testing skills and helping to determine a path for your educational and career development.
🏫 Start Reviewing Colleges
Senior year is approaching! Take time to explore college and university websites, attend college fairs and check out informational sessions.
👀 Fast Fact!
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps determine eligibility for grants, scholarships, work-study programs and loans for college or career school.
Winter
11th Grade
🗒️ Organize Your Spring Testing Schedule
Find out registration deadlines and the exact dates and times of important tests, such as the ACT, SAT and SAT Subject Tests.
♟️ Participate in Extracurricular Activities
Colleges look for well-rounded students. To stand out, it can help to join a sports team, school club or community program, or take on a leadership role in an activity you’re already involved with.
🏫 Tour Colleges
Plan visits to colleges you are interested in. This can help you get an overall sense of what you like and dislike as you narrow your choices.
Spring
11th Grade
👍 Keep Crushing Those Practice Tests
Use an SAT or ACT prep book to experience taking the test from beginning to end. Some high schools even offer prep courses if you’re looking for a little more guidance in your preparation.
📆 Set Up Your Senior Class Schedule
As you’ve been doing throughout high school so far, continue to meet with your counselor. Review possible honors and Advanced Placement (AP) courses you might take.
✉️ Reach Out For Recommendations
You will need recommendation letters when you apply to schools, so beat the rush by contacting teachers, coaches and mentors now. It will be one less thing to worry about in the fall!
💵 Explore Scholarship Opportunities
Scholarships are a great way to help make college more affordable, and there are plenty out there. Talk to your school counselor or search online to get started.
💡 Did You Know?
You can start taking AP courses as early as your sophomore year. Begin with some less demanding courses and gradually increase your course load during your junior year.
Put Thought Into Your Summer Work
A summer job not only boosts finances but also impresses college admissions. Explore work, volunteer or internship opportunities to showcase your interests or civic commitment.
Summer
11th Grade
🏫 Time To Visit Colleges You Are Serious About
If possible, visit your top five choices. If that isn’t on the table, look for virtual tours and check out college forums online. Either way, take the time to gather info—it’ll help you compare options and find your best fit.
📝 Get Cracking on College Applications
Applying to college is a process, and an application doesn’t need to be completed in one sitting. Look up what each requires and start tackling the portions you feel ready to complete. Along the way, review them with a teacher or counselor for feedback.
📚 Take Summer Classes
Whether through a local community organization or at an accredited college, summer classes can help enhance your transcript and your chance of getting into a competitive college.
💬 Chat With College Students Home for the Summer
Get their take on finding the right fit, especially if they attend a school you like. Think up questions for them that you don’t find the answers to in the college pamphlets, like “What is dorm room living really like?”
Fall
12th Grade
⌛️ Keep Track Of Deadlines
Senior year will be a busy one. To stay organized, mark your calendar with important dates — application deadlines, test dates, scholarship deadlines and financial aid seminars.ion.
📆 Meet With Your School Counselor
Discuss application or testing deadlines, transcripts, score reports or letters you must send. Include your name on materials so that your counselor can track your requests more easily.
🧐 Consider Applying Early
Submitting an application for an early decision or early action allows you to find out if you have been accepted to a school earlier than regular admission notifications. However, these applications are due earlier: Most deadlines are in October and November.
📝 Take the ACT/SAT
It’s time! Register and take the ACT, SAT or SAT Subject Tests (which are offered seven times throughout the year). Whatever test it is, request that your results get sent to the school(s) of your choice.
📋 Finish and Submit All of Your College Applications
Mail in your applications or submit them online. Follow up with your counselor to ensure your transcripts and test scores have been sent to the colleges of your choice. You want to confirm everything has been submitted before the beginning of January if you’re applying regular decision.
💡 Did You Know?
Often called a 529, a tuition savings plan is a special savings account that parents or guardians typically set up to help a child pay for college. The money is tax free as long as it is used only for educational expenses. Check with your family to see if they have one.
🏫 Continue Making Campus Visits
If you haven’t visited the top colleges you’re considering, make arrangements and get ready to go! Fall is a good time to visit since classes are in session.
☑️ Narrow Your List and Act
Decide on five to 10 prospective college choices. If you haven’t already, download the financial aid forms, and don’t forget about any associated application fees, as costs may alter the number you choose to submit.
🗒️ Complete Your College Essays
The college essay is an important part of the application process. Have a teacher or parent proofread your essay and provide feedback
✉️ Gather Your Letters of Recommendation
If you haven’t already, contact teachers and counselors for recommendation letters or follow up on your current requests.
💰 Get Finances in Order
If you haven’t already, talk with your parents or guardians about what affording school looks like, and start learning more about financial aid opportunities for which you may qualify.
💵 Follow Up On Scholarship Opportunities
Finish and submit any scholarship applications you’re working on. Check with the schools you’re applying to and find out if they have additional scholarships for which you may qualify.
Winter
12th Grade
✔️ Confirm Colleges Received Your Application
Make sure that each college you apply to receives the necessary materials: test scores, transcripts, application forms and recommendation letters. In some cases, you can check the status online, or you may call or email the admissions office.
📊 Submit Midyear Grade Reports
Some colleges require you to send your senior-year, first-semester grades as part of your application. Ensure your high school sends those to the colleges that require them.
💵 If Applicable, File Your Financial Aid Documents
Fill out your FAFSA and submit it as soon as possible after October 1. Some schools require information via an online profile through FAFSA, so be sure to fill that out and submit as needed.
🤔 Evaluate Early Decision or Early Action Responses
If you have been accepted via early decision, you will need to withdraw your applications from other schools. If you have been accepted via early action, you can either choose to accept or wait for responses from the other schools.
Spring
12th Grade
🏁 It’s Go Time
Everything is (or nearly) in place for your post-high school education. With the help of your counselor, keep tabs on remaining deadlines, forms or action items related to your college applications.
🏫 Check For Admission Decisions in the Mail and Online
Admission letters will arrive between March and April (for regular decision), followed by financial aid awards. Read each document carefully, as some may require immediate action.
💵 Compare the Different Financial Aid Packages
Review each school’s aid package, if offered, with your parents or guardians. If you have questions, you can speak with the college’s financial aid office.
✅ It’s Decision Time!
Choose the college that’s right for you by May 1 (decision day). Then, submit the corresponding enrollment form (by mail, email or online portal), deposit check and signed financial aid package.
📝 Take AP Exams
These exams take place in the first week of May. Many colleges offer credits or advanced placement based on these test scores. If you opted for AP courses, be sure to consult with your AP coordinator for the exact date, time and location of your exams.
💵 Review Your Student Aid Report
About a month after submitting your FAFSA, you’ll receive your Student Aid Report (SAR). Review it for errors and discuss the contribution amount with your parents.
📄 Provide Documents for Financial Aid Verification
The federal government randomly selects 30% of financial aid applications for verification (e.g., tax returns and W-2s). If you are selected, the colleges you applied to will reach out for those documents.
🏫 Make a Final Campus Visit Before Accepting
If you haven’t already visited the school you’re considering attending, you should experience life on campus firsthand to fully prepare yourself to make an informed final decision.
📢 Inform Those Schools You Won’t Be Attending
Now that you’ve decided on the one, notify the other schools that accepted you that you’ll be attending elsewhere so they can offer your spot to another student.
🖥️ Finish Enrollment Papers
Upon accepting a school’s admission offer, you’ll receive a package with information on classes, orientation, housing, and more. Complete any included forms and submit them by the stated deadline.
Summer
12th Grade
✉️ Send Your Final High School Transcript
Many colleges require a final high school transcript. If this applies to you, contact your high school counselor to ensure your transcript is sent.
🛋️ Prepare For Your First Year at College
Get ready for the adventure! Sign up for orientation, find your future living quarters, stock up on essentials, make travel plans and schedule your first-semester courses!
🙌 Say Thank You
Thank anyone and everyone who helped during the application process. Showing your appreciation in person or through a note will ensure your supporters will remain fans of yours for years to come.
😎 Enjoy Your Friends and Family
Make sure you stop and appreciate those around you. You want to make the most of the time you have left at home before heading off to school.