Overview

List of 4 items.

• Freshman Year

  • Study hard and make connections with your teachers.
  • Self-reflection is key. Start to assess your priorities and aspirations. What subjects do you most enjoy? What careers are you intrigued by?
  • Use Naviance to research summer enrichment programs.

  Freshman/sophomore College Counseling Outlook Meeting in the fall. College Financial Aid Information Session in the fall.

• Sophomore Year

  • All sophomores will take the PSAT administered by NSA in October.
  • Beginning with sophomore year, you should push yourself academically in your course selection. Take honors and advanced placement courses that interest you and that will challenge you appropriately.
  • Begin to self-educate. Buy or borrow a college guidebook.
  • Visit colleges when convenient, not to make a decision, but to learn.
  • Use Naviance to research summer enrichment programs.

  Freshman/Sophomore College Counseling Outlook Meeting in the fall, College Financial Aid Information Session in the fall.

• Junior Year

  First Trimester/Second Trimester
  

  • All juniors will take the PSAT administered by NSA in October.
  • Consider taking the SAT Subject tests in November, especially if you are interested in taking Language with Listening.
  • Start exploring and using Naviance as a web-based research tool to look for colleges and careers of interest.
  • Attend local college fairs and information sessions. Visit colleges when convenient.
  • Meet college representatives at NSA and at local functions.

  Junior College Counseling Outlook Meeting, College Financial Aid Information Session
  
  Second Trimester/Third Trimester
  

  • Formalize a standardized testing plan. Prepare and register for either the ACT or the SAT. If taking SAT Subject Tests, register for May or June test dates.
  • Meet with your designated college counselor for a one-on-one meeting and a family conference.
  • Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation for college applications and provide them with a Brag Sheet.
  • Review college guides, make a preliminary list of colleges and plan itinerary for spring break and summer college visits. Research and apply for scholarships.
  • Meet college representatives at NSA and at local functions.

  Junior College Admissions Panel Night, Every Junior meets individually with their college counselor, Every Junior family meets with their college counselor

• Senior Year

  Summer of Rising Senior Year
  

  • Review results of standardized tests and register and prepare for fall retakes of standardized tests if necessary.
  • Continue to visit colleges and follow-up with specific research on priorities you have identified, such as academics, athletics and financial aid.
  • Start looking at college applications, making note of varying application requirements and deadlines.
  • Research and apply for scholarships.
  • Draft college essays.
  • Keep your college counselor informed about your search and application process.

  College Counseling Application/Essay Workshops in August, Senior College Counseling Outlook Night
  
  
  

  Fall of Senior Year
  

  • Use Naviance to coordinate where you will be applying.
  • Retake standardized tests, if necessary.
  • Meet college representatives at NSA and at local functions.
  • Attend one-on-one conference with your college counselor to confirm college choices.
  • Make note of all application forms and deadlines and continue drafting essays.
  • Visit colleges as necessary. Students may miss up to two days of school to visit colleges, but only if they complete a Planned Absence Form.
  • If applying early action or early decision, inform your college counselor via Naviance and apply by the college deadline.

  By mid-October, every senior will have met with their college counselor at least once.
  
  
  November to January of Senior Year
  

  • Confirm a final list of colleges, and list these colleges in Naviance by the time you return from winter break.
  • Submit drafts of essays to your college counselor for review.
  • Keep track of deadlines. Most college deadlines fall from early December to early February.
  • Early admissions results are available in mid-December. Work on regular decision applications before receiving these results.
  • Submit FAFSA online before February 1. Submit accompanying financial aid forms directly to colleges as necessary. Contact Financial Aid offices with questions.
  • Notify the the Ann S. Powell Office of College Counseling about admission decisions and scholarships.

  College Financial Aid Information Meeting in the fall
  
  
  Spring of Senior Year

  • Take AP exams. All students enrolled in an AP course must take the exam.
  • If applicable, research what AP results may help you earn credit and/or placement at the college to which you enroll. Send AP results to that college through College Board.
  • You will receive all admissions decisions by April 1. Inform the Office of College Counseling about your results.
  • Adhere to the May 1 reply deadline for college admission.
  • Consider pursuing a wait list if appropriate.

  Transitioning to College Workshop for seniors