PLANNING TIMELINE FOR COLLEGE ADMISSION

The following checklist will help you meet important deadlines and give yourself enough time to make the best possible choices in the college selection process. The process begins long before the junior year and with research, community service, and internships taking time to develop. Officially, however, the kick-off for college planning begins during early spring of the junior year.

JUNIOR YEAR

OCTOBER

  1. Sign up for and take the PSAT (click on PSAT for additional information)
  2. Intensify visits to the College/Career Center.
  3. Take advantage of opportunities to meet with college reps or visit college campuses.
JANUARY-FEBRUARY MARCH
  1. Attend the Spring College Fair held the first weekend in March.
  2. Consider taking the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Test. It is free and is a non-threatening opportunity to take a comprehensive test. The test also gives an estimate of your SAT score.
  3. Attend student group meetings with counselors to discuss procedures, policies and information regarding post high school plans.
  4. Register for the May SAT, SAT II or ACT.
  5. Begin summer planning-consider special summer programs,internships, summer school, and work.
APRIL
  1. Finalize summer plans, watch for deadlines.
  2. Start preliminary investigation of colleges by using online resources, such as College Information Online
    college guides, catalogs, handbooks and video tapes available in the Counseling Center and the library.
  3. Register for SAT, SAT II or ACT. See College Testing
  4. Start preliminary investigations of colleges through individual college websites ( College Websites, Email Addresses, Telephone Numbers, etc.) and other undergraduate study sites on the internet.
  5. Use the online resources to review potential lists of colleges and/or careers; program may be used in the College/Career Center.
MAY
  1. Make appointments to visit colleges during spring, summer, and early fall. Because many selective colleges book interviews early, it is important to check dates for the best appointment. Write to admissions offices and college departments for information regarding programs which interest you.
  2. Research tentative college choices after your junior college conference.
  3. Investigate summer opportunities. Check the various resources, books, and files available in the College/Career Center.
  4. Register for the June SAT, SAT II or ACT. . See College Testing
  5. If you are interested in obtaining financial aid for college, consider using the Early Financial Aid Planning Service offered by the College Scholarship Service.
JUNE
  1. Review summer plans.
  2. Visit, visit, visit, and research colleges.
  3. Write for college applications or get them online. (Getting Applications, The Common Application)


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SENIOR YEAR

JULY

Write for college applications except the University of California, California State University, and the community College which are available in the College/Career Center.

AUGUST

Review your three year high school transcript which will be given to you during your junior conference. See your counselor, if there is an error.

SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER

  1. Register for the October SAT I or SAT II's by early September.
  2. Register for November SAT I or SAT II's by the end of September.
  3. Register for the December SAT I or SAT II's by the end of October.
  4. Attend college admissions sessions held in the Counseling Center conducted by college admissions staff members.
  5. Attend student group meetings with your counselors regarding application procedures.
  6. Review your activity record for inclusion in student college packet.
  7. Attend as many college conferences, school workshops, and informational sessions as possible and visit colleges that interest you.
  8. Submit early decision applications/recommendations to your counselor by October 1.
  9. Get UC and CAL State applications form the College/Career Center. (Getting Applications, The Common Application)

NOVEMBER/DECEMBER
  1. Take senior year SAT I or SAT II or ACT, if necessary.
  2. Submit college applications. Applications to be processed before January 1st, must be submitted prior to Thanksgiving.
  3. Register to take SAT II Achievement Tests. Check carefully which tests are given in November and December.
  4. Investigate Financial Aid Scholarships. Scholarships are posted outside the College/Career Center and bulletins are sent out regularly.
  5. Complete SAT/ACT forms to have test scores sent directly to colleges. It is your responsibility to forward your SAT scores to each college. The Counseling Center does not forward any scores.
  6. AP scores will not be sent by the Counseling Center with your application. You have the responsibility of informing the colleges of your scores.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY
  1. Make sure to meet January 1st application deadlines. (Many colleges have a January 1st application deadline date.)
  2. Review college applications in view of senior test scores and first semester grades .
  3. Make sure to meet February application deadlines. (Many colleges have February 1st or February 15th application deadline dates.)
  4. Pick up Financial Aid materials in the College/Career Center.
  5. Submit applications for federal and state student aid, as well as various grants to the appropriate offices for processing.
  6. Keep in touch with counselors regarding college applications status.

APRIL

Most colleges make application decisions by early April.

MAY

  1. Select the college you wish to attend. Most colleges require a definite commitment and tuition and dormitory deposits by May 1st.
  2. Apply for local scholarships.
  3. Check College/Career Center for scholarships.
  4. TURN IN A REQUEST FOR A FINAL TRANSCRIPT TO BE SENT TO THE COLLEGE YOU PLAN TO ATTEND. Admission is conditional until final transcripts are sent.


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