Career Center : College Prep Checklist
High School Junior
Meet with your guidance counselor at least once a year
Continue to take challenging courses in high school
Register for and take the PSAT/NMSQT, SAT or ACT tests or any other exams required for admission to the colleges you might want to attend
Keep your grades up
Continue involvement in school or community-based extracurricular activities
Talk with your parents and guidance counselor about colleges that interest you
Attend college fairs and financial aid workshops
Keep filling out the College Comparison Worksheet
Obtain college admissions information
Investigate scholarship and financial aid opportunities
Consider putting together a portfolio that highlights your special skills and talents
Continue saving for college
Volunteer for activities and clubs related to your career interests
Get a part-time job, internships or job shadow in a profession that interests you
High School Senior
July/August
-Try to visit as many colleges on your list as possible this summer or fall
-Request admissions information
September
-Continue to work hard all year (second semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility)
-Meet with your guidance counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements
-Begin asking for letters of recommendation (from teachers, counselors, employers) to include with your admissions and/or scholarship applications
-Register for the SAT and ACT tests, if necessary
October
-Attend college fairs and financial aid information meetings
-Apply for admission to the colleges you have chosen (you can apply online to many colleges)
-Be sure to check admission deadlines for all your choices
-Find out which financial aid/scholarship applications your college choices require and deadlines for application
-Take the SAT or ACT, if necessary
November
-Take the SAT or ACT, if necessary
-Start the financial aid application process
-Apply for scholarships
December
-Pick up a FAFSA forms from your counselor
January
-Submit your FAFSA as soon as possible (it can be submitted online)
-Keep copies of all forms submitted
-Ask your guidance office to submit your first semester transcripts to the schools where you applied (final transcripts will need to be sent in May)
February
-Submit your FAFSA by February 14
March
-Look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail
-Find out what else you need to do to maintain eligibility for financial aid
-Continue to look for scholarships
April
-Most admission decisions and financial aid award letters arrive this month. Read carefully and note all reply deadlines
-Compare financial aid packages from different schools
-Make your final decision and send in any required deposits
-Notify the other schools you will not be attending
May
-Finalize all details with your chosen school
-Send thank-you notes to teachers and other mentors who wrote your recommendations
-Send thank-you notes to scholarships programs that have given you aid
-Have your high school guidance office send your final transcript
-Finalize your summer plans!