Planning Ahead

Make life after high school a success

Any new adventure requires advance planning. But if your idea of advance planning is deciding what to do this Friday night, you might find yourself shortchanged when it comes time to go to college. After all, who has the time to plan for the future between homework, after-school practices, jobs and parties? That's why we're here to help you get the most out of your high school years and prepare for the future. The list below maps out what you need to do each year of high school to put you on the path to success.

FRESHMAN YEAR

Fall

• Develop a plan for the classes you'll need to take over the next four years. Strive to take the most challenging courses available.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities (clubs, student government, etc.) or volunteer pursuits that interest you. Check with your guidance counselor to find out about what's available if you need suggestions.
• Build relationships with teachers, counselors and coaches who can help provide college recommendations.
• Get familiar with the standardized tests you will need to take.

• Talk about college costs with your family now so you can begin to make financial preparations.
• Schedule a meeting with your counselor to make sure coursework for your sophomore year is on track.
• Apply for summer internships, jobs or volunteer activities.

SOPHOMORE YEAR

Fall

• Seek leadership roles in clubs and activities.
• Begin thinking about what fields of study and which colleges you might like to consider.
• Continue building relationships with teachers, coaches and counselors who'll be able to provide college recommendations.
• Attend college fairs to become familiar with what different schools have to offer.
• Become familiar with the required standardized tests.
• Look into summer programs for college prep.

• Continue family discussions about college costs and what is needed for the coming years.
• Schedule a meeting with your counselor to make sure coursework for your junior year is on track.
• Apply for summer internships, jobs or volunteer activities.
• Begin research on college scholarships that are available. The Internet offers a wealth of information.

JUNIOR YEAR

Fall

• Sign up for the PSAT test and begin studying.
• Make sure you're on the most challenging academic track you can manage-it could go a long way toward earning more scholarship money.
• Expand involvement in clubs and community service and seek out leadership roles.
• Begin doing more research about prospective colleges and potential scholarship opportunities.
• Attend area college fairs.
• Take the PSAT.
• Begin studying for the SAT or ACT test.
• Discuss college finances with parents and begin gathering information on financial aid.
• Begin talking with teachers, advisers and other adults about writing college recommendations.

• Take SAT test (January).
• Take ACT test (February).
• Begin submitting applications for scholarships.
• Identify colleges with programs and majors in which you are interested.
• Schedule college visits for spring break.
• Begin assembling your resume, including extracurricular activities, honors and volunteer work.

• Take advantage of another chance to improve your SAT or ACT score by retesting.
• Contact the Office of Admissions at the schools in which you're interested and request applications as well as information on financial aid.
• Check academic requirements for college programs in which you're interested in case you need to pick up classes during summer school.
• Meet with guidance counselor to plan senior schedule.
• Athletes should register with the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse.
• Apply for summer jobs, internships and volunteer opportunities.
• Study for your finals!

• Yet anther chance to improve your SAT/ACT test scores (June)!
• Request brochures from colleges you are considering.
• Narrow your list of prospective colleges and contact the schools' admissions offices to schedule a campus tour and an interview with an academic adviser or faculty member.
• If you've already made a school choice, submit an early decision application.
• Begin writing drafts for college application essays.

SENIOR YEAR

September

• Meet with your guidance counselor early in the school year to discuss possible majors and identify potential schools.
• Request applications and brochures from the colleges in which you're interested.
• Schedule interviews with prospective schools. Identify at least one school that you're fairly certain of admission.
• Make a list of application requirements for each school, making sure to note deadlines.
• Ask teachers, advisors and other adults for letters of recommendation.
• Work on application essays.
• Establish a budget for application costs. You have to pay for each application you submit, so choose only the ones in which you're truly interested.

• Get serious with your parents about college costs: what you can afford and what will be needed in terms of financial aid.
• Have your high school transcripts sent to prospective schools.
• Take the SAT/ACT and have results sent to your prospective colleges.
• Continue your search for scholarships and begin scholarship application process.

• If you've already decided on your school, submit your early decision application (usually due by December).
• Continue working on applications and have teachers, friends and family members review your essays.
• Be certain you've included all fees, forms, essays, transcripts and other necessary material with the application. Retain copies of all paperwork sent to prospective colleges.
• Ask prospective schools about financial aid-loans, grants, and scholarships.

• Take another shot at improving those test scores. Both the SAT and ACT tests have dates scheduled for December.
• Finish up those college applications! Many are due in December or by early January.

• Gather financial materials needed to submit your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and file as soon as possible after January 1. (Your parents' income tax returns will be required in order to complete the FAFSA, so remind them to file those taxes early!)
• Check with prospective schools about any additional financial aid forms needed.
• Check to ensure schools have received your applications.

• Be on the lookout for your Student Aid Report (SAR) to arrive four to six weeks after you submit your FAFSA. Check to make sure information is accurate.

• You should begin receiving responses to your applications. Compare offers and weigh the pros and cons.
• If you receive notification that you've been placed on a waiting list, let the admissions office know if you are still interested.
• Apply for summer jobs or internships.
• Decision time! Most colleges request that you accept or decline by May 1.

• Check to make sure you have the required forms for housing, financial aid, health care insurance, etc.
• Notify the college of any private scholarships you have received.
• Check out additional information on scholarships and student loans. (Check with local businesses and community organizations or your church.)
• Notify the colleges you have decided not to attend.

• Check final deadlines for financial aid, housing, etc.
• Have final high school transcripts sent to your college.
• Set up a college budget.
• Get established with a bank near your new school.