College Timeline

Freshman Year

• Take the most demanding course load you can handle
• Participate in extracurricular activities
• Think about possible college choices and look into admissions requirements
• Begin keeping a record of activities and awards

Sophomore Year

• Continue a challenging curriculum and involvement in extracurricular activities
• October: Take a practice PSAT
• Attend college fairs and gather information
• Visit nearby colleges at home and when on vacation to get a general feel of college life, as well as a comparison of campuses
• Update activities and awards

Junior Year

• Continue to take challenging courses and participate in activities; try to volunteer, gain a leadership position, and show commitment to activities and interests
• Attend college fairs and meet with college recruiters
• October: Take the PSAT
• Conduct intensive research and form a list of 10-20 prospective colleges
• Visit colleges
• May or June: Take the SAT I
• Take appropriate SAT II tests
• Update activities and awards

Summer before Senior Year

• Send for applications
• College visits
• Get a job or internship, do community service work, or attend a summer program

Senior Year

• Continue to focus strongly on academics and activities
• Reduce prospective list to 5-10 colleges
• Ask teachers for recommendation letters
• Complete and mail applications; deadlines are important!
• Take the SAT I, as well as any appropriate SAT II tests
• Complete financial aid and scholarship application forms
• Submit FAFSA after January 1
• Make your final decision and wait patiently for a reply!