Student Action Plan
Freshman Year
- Get involved in extracurricular activities.
- Talk to your counselor about college.
- Talk to your counselor about the SAT.
- Talk to your parents about your college plans.
Sophomore Year
- Consult with your counselor to make sure your are taking challenging courses.
- Consider taking the SAT I during the spring of your sophomore year.
- Talk to your counselor about college application procedures.
- Start to visit colliege campuses with your parents.
- Begin discussions with your parents on how to finance your college education.
- Consider getting a summer job.
Junior Year
October - Take PSAT test. Sign up for the Student Search Services. This free service matches your background and interests with collegs that are looking for students like you.
November/December - Start to explore career interests. Talk with people in the fields that interest you and find out how they prepared for their jobs. Consider taking the SAT's at least twice during your junior year. Contact your guidance counselor for test dates.
January/February - The course selection process for your senior year begins. Consider taking challenging courses which will better prepare you for college.
March/April - Visit College Fairs. Begin to contact colleges that interest you. You may want to request catalogs and schedule visits.
May/June - Identify individuals you will ask for letters of recommendation. Visit college campuses. Write your resume. Get a summer job.
Senior Year
September - Secure admissions and college financial aid applications. If applying early decision, start filling out the application. Register to take the SAT's or ACT's if you have not yet taken these tests.
October - Prepare an outline and begin to write your college essays Application Essay Writing 101. Schedule college visits and meet with admissions counselor. Register to take SAT II's (if required for admissions). Give recommendation forms to counselors and teachers. Register for College Scholarship Service (if applicable). Send in application / transcripts to schools with rolling admission (e.g. Penn State).
November - Complete your essays. You may want to ask your English teacher for constructive comments. Start investigating with your parents about sources of financial aid. Have completed recommendations placed in your file in the guidance office. Complete your remaining college applications.Writing A College Essay
December - Familiarize yourself with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms at www.fafsa.ed.gov
January - Go online and complete and mail FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st.
February/March - Continue to investigate all sources of financial aid. Sign up for AP exams. Send in deposits if you are accepted by college of your choice.
April/May - Look for a summer job. Prepare for AP exams. If you are on a waiting list, contact the college to see how to strengthen your application. If you were denied admission, contact your counselor to discuss alternatives.