College Planning

Getting Organized: A College planning Timeline

The general calendar outline below will assist you in making your own calendar of important dates.

November Through June (Junior Year)

  • Begin researching colleges, visiting schools, and obtaining information
  • Establish a "Colleges I’m Thinking About" list in Naviance
  • Meet with your counselor for a post high school planning conference, include your parents
  • Begin taking standardized tests (SAT/ACT/ Subject Tests)
  • Fill out Counselor Brag Sheet, provide to your counselor before the summer
  • Ask teachers to write recommendation letters, preferably before the summer
  • Attend a Spring College Fair visit: www.nationalcollegefairs.org
  • Consider a summer enrichment program or internship

Summer (Before Senior Year)

  • Continue visiting, gathering information
  • Continue to volunteer and stay involved, perhaps attend a summer program or internship
  • Narrow down your "Colleges I’m thinking about" (5-7 schools)
  • Move "Colleges I’m thinking about" to "Colleges I’m applying to" in Naviance
  • Register for account with the Common Application, www.commonapp.org ‐ after August 1
  • Request two teacher letters of recommendation electronically through Naviance

Fall/Winter (Senior Year)

  • Complete Student Activity Sheet & Records Release form, turn into guidance
  • Complete Transcript Request Forms
  • Register for another SAT/ACT/Subject Test if needed
  • Release scores directly from www.collegeboard.org and www.actstudent.org
  • Develop a chart with fees, deadlines, and all required documents needed for each school
  • Proofread and refine all college essays and resumes
  • Investigate scholarships
  • Continue to visit colleges and meet with College Representatives scheduled at STHS
  • Attend Financial Aid Night Presentation (Fall)
  • Find out if your college requires the CSS profile and make sure to meet deadlines
  • Maintain your grades, 1st quarter and midyear grades are often requested from colleges

Winter/Spring (Senior Year)

  • Continue to research scholarships and apply
  • Complete the FAFSA starting October 1st (FAFSA completion night held at STHS in October)
  • Early decision candidates who get accepted should withdraw their applications from other schools
  • Review your acceptances and revisit campuses if necessary
  • Talk to your parents, counselor, teachers about making your final decision
  • Review financial aid packages thoroughly before deciding
  • Notify the college you plan to attend and send a deposit
  • Accept the financial aid award letter by following the instructions given by the college
  • Update your Naviance account with your acceptances & notify guidance where you plan to attend