The College Process
Click on each link below for more information
February
Junior and Parent College Process Information Night
March
Register for ACT with Writing and SAT Reasoning
Take a Prep Course
Faithfully take SAT Question of the Day (every day!)
Course Selection for Senior Year
Make Plans for Summer – consider academic options
Continue to Volunteer
Internet College Search
Plan College Visits
April
Take ACT Plus Writing
Begin College Visitation (April vacation is a good opportunity!)
Attend College Fairs
Send Letters/Postcards to Colleges Requesting Information
(just to let them know of your interest!)
May
Take SAT Reasoning Exam
AP U.S. History Exam (if taking AP courses)
Continue College Visitation
Plan Summer Schedule (Volunteer/Work/Study/Read)
June/July/August
Continue Efforts at Visitation/Internet Searches/etc.
Think about writing your Senior Essay
For topic ides see Common Application
Continue Internet Research for Colleges
Continue College Visitation
Continue Volunteering
Read for Pleasure (see Summer Reading List)
Rest, Relax, Refresh
Make Sure That “Parent Brag Sheet” & “Student Activity Sheet”
Are passed in to your Guidance Counselor.
Prepare a Resume (for reference or possible inclusion w/application)
September
Register for ACT with Writing & SAT Reasoning
Early Action and Early Decision Candidates:
Register for October SAT
Applications due soon. (varying dates)
Make Request for Transcript and School Report for Early Applicants at least two weeks before due date!
Talk to teachers about Letters of Recommendation
Begin Writing your Senior Essay
(Early Action/Early Decision candidates who take SAT Subject Tests
in November must register by September 26)
October
Take the ACT with Writing
Attend College Open Houses & Information Sessions
Attend CM Mini College Fairs
Continue College Visitation
Continue to Refine College Choice List
Continue to Volunteer
Continue to Work Hard –1st Quarter Grades are VERY Important!
(Early Action/Early Decision candidates who take SAT Subject Tests in December must register by November 5th)
November
Take the SAT Reasoning
Make a Checklist of Requirements for Each College on Your List
Finalize your College List
Complete Applications and Get Ready to Push SEND button.
Get a Transcript Request Form in the Guidance Office
December
Transcript Request Forms Due in Guidance Office: December 1st!
Attend Financial Aid Information Sessions
Perform Internet Search for Financial Aid & Scholarship Information
- Study hard. Get good grades.
- Prepare for ACT/SAT.
- Princeton Review
- SAT Question of the Day
- ACT test prep on the web site
- READ as prep for Critical Reading.
- WRITE as prep for the Writing section.
- Register and take the SAT and ACT.
- Develop leadership potential.
- Continue extracurricular involvement.
- Consider meaningful choices for summertime.
- Outward Bound
- NOLS or other leadership school
- Volunteer
- Travel
- Internship opportunities
- BERSI
- Take a class
- Keep a record of activities, awards, achievements (resume)
10. Develop a list of college options.
11. Keep a list of requirements for each college.
12. Visit web sites. Evaluate choices. Visit colleges.
13. Make appropriate, well informed choices.
14. Make a spreadsheet of college options.
15. Talk to seniors about college options and the process.
- Arrive early, have a chance to experience the setting.
- Go to the Admissions Office, Sign In!
- Take the “Official School Tour”. Be sure to see the library, computer facilities, classrooms, and dorms.
- Have an interview if available. Bring a resume with your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.
- Visiting while classes are in session provides greater opportunities to visit classes, facilities, and see what really goes on!
- Speak to students and faculty. Ask questions.
- Eat in the cafeteria.
- Tour the facilities at your leisure after the official tour.
- Take in a play, museum, or an athletic event to get the real flavor of the school!
Search these sites to refine your list:
Find individual colleges on the web:
However, many have a special abbreviation:
www.bu.edu Boston University, not Butler or Baylor
College Fairs
College Information Sessions
College Open Houses