Meet with your guidance counselor to assist you with your planned curriculum
If you already know what your desired future profession is, ask your counselor to help you gear your academic experience towards that end
Build a strong academic portfolio
Join extra curricular activities, sports, clubs and philanthropic organizations
Sophomore Year (High School)
Begin narrowing the field of prospective colleges (small, large, private, state, local, far off or abroad)
Visit schools that you may be interested in (some schools offer virtual campus tours)
Take the PSAT (SAT Prepatory test) and/or SAT
Join / continue extra curricular activities, sports, clubs, philanthropic organizations and/or part time employment
Junior Year (High School)
Fall
Meet with your guidance counselor, teachers, employers and parents for recommendations
Narrow your list of prospective schools to a manageable and realistic group of between 5 and 10 schools
Have admission materials and catalogs mailed to you from the schools that you are interested in. You may also be able to download information, forms, etc. online from the school websites
Plan visits of prospective schools. Be sure to meet with administrators and financial aid officers
Spring
Sign up to take the SAT, SATII or ACT in March or April
Make a list of the schools you are seriously considering and know their deadline for admissions
Sign up for (if permitted) advanced placement classes as you may earn college credits with them
Continue to build a strong academic resume
Spring Break is an excellent time to visit schools that are far away (out of state)
Summer
Take the SAT, SATII or ACT (if you have not already done so)
Gather application materials from colleges you are serious about
Join / continue extra curricular activities, sports, clubs, philanthropic organizations and/or part time employment
Senior Year
August/September
Finalize your list of prospective schools to a manageable and realistic group of 5 and no more than 10 schools
Meet with your guidance counselor, teachers, employers and parents for recommendations
Have admission materials and catalogs mailed to you. You may also be able to download admission information, forms, etc. online from the school websites
If you have not already done so, plan visits of prospective schools. Be sure to meet with administrators and financial aid officers
October/November
Make a list of application due dates
Make a list of employers, teachers, administrators, friends, coaches, etc. that you would like to have write recommendation letters for you
Apply for early decision and early financial aid if applicable
Submit applications to the colleges of your choice (even if they are not yet due)
Fill out the FAFSA pre-application worksheet (be prepared to submit in January)
January
Submit your FAFSA as promptly after Jan 1 as possible. Be sure to list any prospective schools you may be attending on your application (up to 6)
You should receive confirmation that your FAFSA was received approximately 2 weeks after your submission
Submit your state financial aid information
February
If after 4 weeks you have not received confirmation that your FAFSA was received, then call The Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-4-FED-AID
Depending on when you submitted your FAFSA, you may receive your Student Aid Report (SAR), which can take up to 8 weeks
If you have received your SAR, check its accuracy, make any corrections and send a copy to your school
Check with the schools that you have applied to and see if there are any financial aid forms that you are required to submit to them
March
Prepare for advanced placement exams (if applicable)
If after 4 weeks you have not received confirmation that your FAFSA was received, then call The Federal Student Aid Information Center at 800-4-FED-AID
Depending on when you submitted your FAFSA, you may receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) which can take up to 8 weeks
If you have received your SAR, check its accuracy, make any corrections and send a copy to your school
April / May
Admission letters often come before May 1st
Closely review any acceptance letters as well as financial aid letters you have received and make your decision as to which school is right for you
Notify the school you have decided upon and notify the schools that you have decided against
Sign financial aid forms (awards) and return them to the school of your choice with your deposit. If you still need money for your tuition you may want to look to the private sector for further loans or you may apply here
June / July / August
If you have not already done so, submit your FAFSA and apply for Federal Stafford Loans and PLUS programs for parents. If you still need money for your tuition you may want to look to the private sector for further loans or you may apply here
Be sure to notify your school of any changes in your financial situation including grants or scholarships that you may have been awarded
Freshmen Year (High School)