Planning for college? Here are the steps all students should take.
Here is a general college admissions calendar that students can follow to stay on track:
Freshman Year:
Focus on developing good study habits and academic skills.
Get involved in extracurricular activities and find your interests.
Meet with your school counselor to discuss academic planning.
Sophomore Year:
Continue to build strong study habits and academic skills.
Continue to participate in extracurricular activities.
Consider taking the PSAT or a practice ACT/SAT.
Begin researching colleges and their admissions requirements.
Junior Year:
Take the PSAT in the fall and the SAT or ACT in the spring.
Start preparing for the standardized tests if you haven't already.
Meet with your school counselor to discuss college planning.
Narrow down your list of potential colleges and visit campuses if possible.
Begin drafting your college essays and personal statement.
Summer before Senior Year:
Continue visiting colleges and attend college fairs.
Finalize your list of colleges and their application requirements.
Begin filling out applications and gather necessary materials (transcripts, test scores, letters of recommendation).
Continue working on your college essays.
Senior Year:
Submit college applications by the deadlines.
Request transcripts and test scores to be sent to colleges.
Follow up with your chosen colleges to ensure all application materials have been received.
Apply for financial aid and scholarships.
Review acceptance letters and compare financial aid packages.
Make your final decision and submit a deposit to the college of your choice.
Remember, this is just a general guideline and the exact timeline may vary depending on individual circumstances. It's important to stay organized and on top of deadlines to ensure a successful college application process.