College Prep Timeline for High School Students

Freshman Year

• Read through this timeline
  -know what you have to do to get into college

• Meet with high school guidance counselor
  -Select courses that meet college admissions requirements

• Take challenging classes
  -Build strong verbal, mathematics, and reasoning skills

• Keep an academic portfolio & record of extracurricular activities

• Get involved in extracurricular activities
  -Show your interests in activities and people

• Check out schools on the internet
  -Learn early on which schools interest you (More Information)

• Research career possibilities
  -Learn early on which jobs interest you

Sophomore Year

• Continue all activities listed under FRESHMAN YEAR
  -Keep building on success

• Register for the PSAT and/or PLAN test
  -Stay ahead of the game

• Take the practice PSAT
  -Find out your strengths and weaknesses (More Information)

• Talk to your guidance counselor about your PSAT and/or PLAN scores and next steps

• Use the summer to your advantage
  -read books, take courses, or volunteer your time

Junior Year

• Register for the PSAT
  -Stay ahead of the game 

• Take the PSAT
  -a good score may qualify you for scholarships (More Information) 

• Talk to your guidance counselor about your PSAT scores
  -learn how to improve them 

• Stay on the ball with grades
  -Good grades in advance courses impress colleges
  -Good grades improve chances for grants & scholarships 

• Start researching your options for grants, scholarships, & work-study programs

• Make a list of colleges you would like to know more about

• Discuss your list of colleges with your guidance counselor 

• Visit colleges and attend college fairs 

• Double check which colleges require the ACT, SAT, and/or SAT Subject Tests 

• Register for the ACT, SAT, and/or SAT Subject Tests 

• Take the ACT, SAT, and/or SAT Subject Tests

Senior Year

• Obtain all the admissions & financial aid applications from your top college picks

• Ask your teachers for recommendations, if the colleges require them

• Visit colleges and attend college fairs

• Complete admission applications and essays (keep copy for your records)

• Have your official high school academic transcript sent to your college picks

• Have your official test scores sent to your college picks

• Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st

• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR)

• Review acceptances and financial aid offers

• By May 1st, make final decisions, notify schools, and submit any necessary documents or deposits.

This checklist made and distributed by:
The Sallie Mae Fund: http://www.SallieMaeFund.org
NACAC: http://www.NACAC.com