|
|
The Road To College http://www.collegeboard.com/student/index.htm/?student |
Timeline for the College Application
Summer
Sophomore-Junior
Year
Take
May or June SAT II test in subjects that are being completed
Finalize
summer plans: Job? Summer study? Volunteer work?
Begin
to visit colleges and Financial Aid Offices
Request
information from additional colleges
Junior Year
September:
Prepare
for PSAT
Attend
college fairs and admissions representative visits
October:
Take
PSAT
December:
Receive
PSAT scores, discuss strategies; evaluate weak areas
Make
provisions for SAT/ACT Test prep.
Talk
to college student’s home on break
January:
Plan
SAT/ACT test dates and test prep schedule
Begin
to make a master list of colleges
February:
Write
or call colleges to request information
March:
Plan
any spring vacation college visits
Create
an organizer for all the materials you receive
April:
Determine
senior year classes
May:
Plan
summer and fall college visits
Many
students take SAT this month
June:
Many
students take SAT/ACT is month
July/August:
Continue
to visit colleges and financial aid offices
Continue
to request information from additional colleges
Study,
get a job, do volunteer work
Review
and update master college list
Senior Year
September:
Request
letters of recommendations
Attend
college fairs and admissions representative visits
Stay
overnight and arrange interviews where possible
Request
additional information and applications from your college
choices
October:
Begin
drafting essays
Create
a master schedule of application deadlines
Continue
to visit colleges
Consider
Early Decision options
Research
and apply for scholarships
November:
Send
Early Decision application, if applicable
Complete
any applications due in January or February
January:
Complete
ALL applications, even with later
and/or rolling deadlines
Photocopy
everything before you mail it
Submit
the FAFSA after January 1
Check
financial aid deadlines for each school/state you are interested in
Be
sure to indicate on the FAFSA your colleges of interest
March:
Verify
that schools have received all application documents
Try to
wait patiently!
April:
Applaud
acceptances, put rejections in perspective
Plan
any visits to campuses that will help finalize decision
Contact
admissions or financial aid offices with any questions
If
wait-listed return response cards, keep in touch with admissions
offices,
update records, write additional letter or statement
Send
deposit on time!
Receive
and review your Student Aid Report (SAR)
May:
Take
AP exams, if applicable
Send
thank you notes to ANYONE who has been especially helpful
Begin
to keep track of housing and registration schedules
Make
sure your high school Guidance Department receives the
information
for the college you’ll be attending
Plan
to enjoy your summer:
Summer After
Graduation
Parents
submit application/promissory note for PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate
Students) funds according to your school’s Financial Aid Office requirements
and deadlines (to cover educational expenses not covered by financial aid)
Student,
if eligible, submits
Return
your Student Aid Report (SAR) to your college(s) of choice (if requested)
Promptly
reply to all requests from your school’s financial aid office