9th
and 10th Grade Years:
Academic Year
Take the most
demanding course load you are capable of taking
Know your
personal learning style
(If you think you need educational testing,
consult your counselor; better to identify issues before the junior
year)
March
Make Course
Selections Carefully—consult advisor and counselor
Sophomores
complete Do What You Are with counselors
Register for
the SAT Subject Tests where appropriate
Junior
Year:
Academic Year
Work to your academic potential; challenge
yourself and do the best you can
September & October
Meet with some visiting college representatives
in Guidance at TA
October
PSATs (Practice SAT:
National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Tests)
Attend Career Fair
December
PSAT scores distributed. Juniors receive the
PSAT score report, including an answer key and their test booklet
February
Parent/Junior evening meeting with
Guidance to begin the college process
Individual Junior Conference with
counselor to begin initial college list
Begin research of colleges on “Working
List”
Register for SAT Prep Course at TA (Saturday
mornings between Feb and April vacations)
Make arrangements for visiting some colleges
during April vacation
Register for May SAT I
Select courses for senior year with counselor
and advisor
April
Consider a short college trip to see different
colleges—large, small, public, and private. This is a time to see colleges with
college life in process. Make notes and
take names of any interviewers.
Register for
the June SAT I
Attend College
Fair (TA provides transportation)
April and May
Each junior should try to complete 2 meetings
with your counselor before the end of the academic
year. Create and refine “working list”
of colleges.
Research colleges on your “working list.” Access College View, Internet resources, and
college guides.
May
SAT I test
SAT II Subject
Tests if appropriate.
Summer
College Visits, tours and interviews
Call or email all colleges to receive
applications
Work on application essays
Senior
Year:
September
Meet with your
counselor as soon as possible to update college preferences
Schedule family
meeting for student and parent(s) with counselor
Meet with visiting college representatives, even
if you have seen the college already
Work on
limiting college application list to 6-10 choices
Early Decision or Early Application candidates must confer with counselor by Sept. 15
Be sure to have all necessary college
applications in hand; request financial aid applications from the college’s
financial aid offices.
Begin
application process; work on college essays
Register for
SAT or ACT tests
Register with
the NCAA Clearinghouse for Division I or II athletics
October
SAT
I (especially for early applications)
Visit
colleges during TA’s 4-day weekend
Decide and then request teacher recommendations. Give teachers necessary forms
Pick
up Financial Aid Profile forms for parents to fill out (if necessary)
Complete Senior Questionnaire and Application
Timetable: give them to your counselor
Parents complete Parent Perspective questionnaire
and return to counselor
Register for December SAT I or ACT
November
Nov.
1 or 15 deadline for most early applications
SAT
I or II (scores to be rush-reported for early applications)
Work
on applications - complete the Common Application online
Keep
counselor informed about any changes to college list
All Secondary School Report Forms due to counselors!
December
Register
for January SAT
Take SAT I or
II
Be
sure to have ETS send all scores to all colleges to which you are applying
Pick
up FAFSA forms and VSAC Scholarship booklets in Guidance
Most
early application programs notify applicants
Mid-Year
Exams—Do your best!
Finish
all applications for January 1, 15 or Feb. 1 deadline
January
SAT
I or II (if appropriate)
Financial Aid Forms Night at TA for
parents
Submit FAFSA financial aid forms; submit
individual college aid applications on time
February-April
Colleges
notify applicants
Thank teachers who wrote letters of
recommendation and inform them of your decisions
Notify your counselor as soon as you hear from
each college
Consult scholarship
opportunities regularly in Guidance and meet individual deadlines
May
May 1st — students must
respond to all colleges concerning enrollment.
You may not “double deposit” or you
may lose your place at both colleges.
Write to all other colleges, which have accepted you, gracefully
declining the place you have been offered.
This is important because it opens up spaces for some of your friends
who are wait-listed.
Wait-Listed
students should discuss options with their counselors