Junior Year
- Examine the educational opportunities available.
- Study college admission requirements
- Discuss plans with parents
- Meet with counselor
- Attend College Fairs and Open Houses
- Register for and take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Tests (PSAT) to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship
- Select appropriate courses to meet entrance requirements
- Set up a calendar for taking tests and completing college applications
- Examine financial resources and review plans for financial aid
- Consider people to ask for recommendations: teachers, employers, clergy
- Visit college campuses; talk to graduates and students at the school being considered
- Register for and take either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT ) and Subject Tests, or the American College Test (ACT) in the spring. Many students take both the SAT and the ACT.
Summer (July, August)
- Write five to ten colleges requesting application forms, catalogs, and financial aid information
- Visit college campuses; talk to graduates and students at the school being considered
- Record progress in fulfilling application requirements
- Start your college essay. See College Essay
Senior Year (September, October)
- Maintain or improve academic grades during your senior year. Colleges look unfavorably upon poor senior grades
- See your counselor when you have questions or need help
- Attend Career/College fairs
- Submit completed Admissions Application Forms to your counselor
- Register and retake if necessary, SAT , SAT Subject tests, or ACT
- Meet with college representatives when they visit THS
- Give the school’s recommendation form to the counselor
- Visit college campuses; talk to graduates and students at the school being considered
November, December
- All completed applications should be mailed to colleges by Thanksgiving and no later than Christmas unless a college says otherwise
- The guidance secretary prepares your official transcript, the copy of your high school grades. Your counselor writes your letter of recommendation. Give the guidance team the proper forms at least two weeks before they are due since November and December are very busy months for Counselors
January, February
- File the appropriate Federal Financial Aid Forms: (FAF), (TAP), and (PROFILE)
- Apply for as many scholarships as possible (from parents’ places of work and through the Guidance Office)
April, May, June
- Keep track of decisions from colleges and of financial aid awards. (Use the Application Flowchart included in this booklet for this purpose. Many colleges wait until April 1st to advise students of their decision
- Reply promptly to colleges notifying them of your decisions
Meet Deadlines
Respond promptly if colleges request additional information.