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College Planning

Our college planning guide gives you an overview of the general things which need to be accomplished in each of your high school years. You can use this as a reminder; a checklist to make sure you've got all the information you need or as a preview of what you need to be thinking of next year. For more detailed instructions you will want to review our Detailed College Preparation Action Plans.

Freshman College Preparation Milestones

Grade Milestone
Freshman Explore Colleges
Freshman Learn about finance options
Freshman Ask your guidance councilor about SAT Subject Tests
Freshman Enquire about AP Courses offered at your school

Sophomore College Preparation Milestones

Grade Milestone
Sophomore Sign up for the PSAT Test
Sophomore Sign up for AP Courses
Sophomore Expand your extracurricular activities
Sophomore Learn about scholarship opportunities

Junior College Preparation Milestones

Grade Milestone
Junior Take the PSAT Test
Junior Select 15-20 colleges that interest you and get application materials
Junior Determine if your colleges prefer ACT, SAT or SAT Subject Tests
Junior Determine estimated costs for your colleges
Junior Schedule your ACT, SAT and/or SAT Subject Tests
Junior Take your ACT, SAT and/or SAT Subject Tests
Junior Take AP Exams
Junior Explore CLEP Tests

Senior College Preparation Milestones

Grade Milestone
Senior Narrow your college choices to 5-10
Senior Make a list of the following:
  • Test dates, fees, and deadlines
  • College application due dates
  • Required financial aid applications and their deadlines
  • Recommendations, transcripts, and other necessary materials
  • Your high school's deadlines for application requests, such as your transcript
Senior Send in your applications, most applications are due between January 1 and February 15.
Senior Have your high school send your transcript to colleges.
Senior Contact colleges to make sure they've received all application materials.
Senior Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.
Senior Explore other financial aid and loan options. Many other types of aid have deadlines in February.
Senior You should get acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April and you must tell every college of your acceptance or rejection of offers of admission or financial aid by May 1.