Key Deadlines

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Key Deadlines

Countdown to College - Key Deadlines

Key Deadlines

Create a college information folder to store brochures, fliers, etc.
Complete a Career and Course Plan that includes Core 40 classes.
Enroll in geometry or algebra.
Get involved! Join a club, volunteer for a local cause, perform in the creative arts or try out for a team.
Start a list of all involvement, awards and recognitions. Update it each semester.

Take the Graduation Qualifying Exam (GQE) to fulfill high school graduation requirements.
Visit a nearby college.
Begin to explore financial aid options - visit your local library or use the Internet to do a scholarship search.
Take the PLAN (a preliminary version of the ACT) or the PSAT (preliminary SAT).
Choose five to 10 colleges to write or call for brochures and applications. Use the Web to take "virtual tours" of campuses.
Consider getting a job. The summer between 10th- and 11th-grade is a good time to start a part-time job if you do not have one already.
Help your teen update their college information folder.
Help your teen update their Career and Course Plan.
Stay involved! Run for a leadership position within a club.
Talk to guidance counselor to see if on track to take Advanced Placement courses during 12^th grade.
Update list of all involvement, awards and recognitions.

Fall

Take the PSAT even if it was taken last year. High scores on this test can help qualify for a National Merit Scholarship.
Review Career and Course Plan to ensure that all the Core 40 academic requirements are being met.
Discuss college interests with parents, counselors and friends.
Update list of all involvement, awards and recognitions.

Spring

Register and prepare for the SAT or ACT. Select colleges and universities that should receive scores. Once the scores arrive in the mail, review them with a guidance counselor to see how the scores relate to qualifications for specific colleges and scholarships. Consider retaking the test with stronger preparation if unhappy with scores.
Begin to actively search for college scholarships.
Start visiting possible colleges and check into pre-college summer programs that provide a feel for college life and explore career options.
Explore enrolling in Advanced Placement courses next year with guidance counselor.
Update list of all involvement, awards and recognitions.

Fall

Schedule campus visits for the colleges that you are interested in attending. Create a separate folder for each potential college. Make a checklist of the admission requirements (transcripts, application fees, test scores, letters of recommendation, essays and financial aid applications).
Make a special note of the admissions deadlines of the colleges. Make sure to allow enough time for recommendation letters and for the submission of transcripts.
Consider retaking the SAT or ACT if not satisfied with scores.
Attend as many college fairs and financial aid workshops as possible.
Update list of all involvement, awards and recognitions. It may be needed next semester for scholarship applications.

Winter

Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This will determine eligibility for grants and loans to help cover the costs of college.
Attend College Goal Sunday.
Continue with campus visits.

Spring

If needed, forward mid-year grade to the selected colleges. Your counselor can help.
Choose the college you will attend. Feel free to make one last visit to make sure it is the right fit. Work with the college's financial aid office to apply for any scholarships and additional financial aid.
Create final list of all involvement, awards and recognitions. It may be needed during the Freshman year of college for scholarship applications.

Summer

Make sure to request that a final transcript be sent to the college you will be attending.
Plan for the coming year in college by developing budgets, schedules and a list of telephone numbers for important services and support.
Get a part-time job to gain work experience and extra money to help cover college costs.