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Planning for College
High School Planner

Academic Preparation | Volunteering | Extracurricular Activities | Testing | Planner

 

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Student Planner Senior High School Planner

Knowing what to do after you have decided what colleges to apply for is often a complicated process. There are deadlines and requirements that must be met to ensure that your application will be considered. This monthly planner will take you through some steps that will help you keep track of what you should be working on to get ready for college. With this timeline, you will be able to meet your deadlines for the colleges of your choice.

Freshman | Sophomore | Junior

Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug

September

Meet with your guidance counselor to finalize your choice of colleges.
Find out which colleges are coming to visit your school.
Make sure to register before the deadlines for the SAT and the ACT.
Make a file system to organize all deadlines and requirements for all of the schools you applied for. Make a folder for each school and keep copies of your application and any notes in the folders.
Make appointments to visit your college choices with your parents. The best time for visits is when classes are in session, so you get a feel of what the atmosphere will be like during school.
Ask for letters of recommendation now to give people plenty of time for writing. Be sure to tell them the application deadlines and share the admissions criteria with them.
Plan to work on your essays at least three or more hours per week.
Estimate college expenses with your family and review financial aid options with your guidance counselor and your parents.
Finalize ROTC scholarships.
Set up a calendar to record important dates: scholarship deadlines, test dates, campus representative visits, and admission dates.
Tips for Division I and II athletes

October

Start looking into college fairs and campus open houses.
Pick up information on the college's profile.
Verify that your colleges received your official test scores.
Collect all of your letters of recommendation.
Attend Open Houses/Campus Visitation Programs. Check out our section on visiting schools for useful information.
Your essays should be near completion.
Make note of requirements and deadlines for scholarships and create a folder for each one (NOTE: Honors College admissions are much earlier).

November

Check for schools with early admission deadlines.
Have your essays checked for typos and grammar by your Guidance Counselor or English teacher.
Complete and mail all your college and scholarship applications.

December

Double check that your choice of colleges is realistic for you and that the schools are all places you would actually enjoy attending.
Pick up an OSAC scholarship form.
Attend Finacial Aid Information Night at local high school.
If you are seeking financial assistance, request a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) from your guidance office or complete an application online at www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
Once admitted to a college, submit the appropriate information and be aware of any additional information the college might request.

January

Make sure to complete and submit your FAFSA on or after January 1st but NO later than February 1st. Your financial aid eligibility will be jeopardized if you don’t apply by the deadline. Remind your parents to complete their income taxes A.S.A.P.
Fill out the OSAC scholarship application, which is due by March 1st.
If you have any more college applications, make sure to send them. Make sure to send in your transcripts and test scores.
Colleges may request a copy of your latest grades to see how you are doing, so don’t start “slacking” now.

February

If you submitted your FAFSA by the February 1 deadline, look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail. Make sure that all of the information printed in the SAR is correct, because inaccurate information often leads to reduced financial aid awards.
Wrap up your OSAC scholarship application and materials by March 1st.
Make sure you have ordered your transcripts in time for the March 1st deadline.
Mail OSAC application.
Check with your colleges to ensure that they have received all your necessary financial aid information and to find out if any additional documentation is needed.

March

You should receive letters from colleges by the end of the month with their decision.
If you still haven’t decided which school to attend, check to see if they have an Open House scheduled, or schedule a campus visit.

April

Review your award letters from schools with your counselor and/or parents to make sure that you understand what is being offered.
Track your awarded scholarships.
Attend Open Houses/Campus Visitation Programs. Check out our section on visiting schools for useful information.
Some colleges still receive and review applications, so don’t be too concerned if you haven’t heard from them.
If you are on a waiting list, let the schools know if you wish to remain on the wait list or be removed.
Once you have been accepted to a school and have decided to enroll, make sure to inform the school. If you do not inform the school, you might lose your place in the freshman class.

May

You should be accepted to your school of choice, so enjoy all your hard work and get ready to start college in the fall.

June, July, and August

Look into summer reading lists, if available.
Visit as many school campuses as possible.
Save money from summer jobs for college expenses and look into community service opportunities.
Attend your college's orientation for all new students.

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