College Planning Time table
The key to successful college planning is getting started early and being well organized. The time table below gives a suggested systematic approach to help guide you through activities which lead to college selection.
2010-2011 Timetable/Schedule
Freshmen and Sophomores
- Carefully plan your curriculum to meet basic college requirements.
- Develop strong study skills and ask for assistance as needed.
- Get involved in at least one activity that you enjoy.
- Seek out opportunities to develop non-academic skills, such as leadership, responsibility, special talents, and service.
- Begin thinking about careers that interest you by reviewing career interest surveys and researching career opportunities.
- Sophomores take the PLAN, which is a practice ACT, in the fall.
Juniors
- Continue to take the strongest curriculum that is appropriate to your abilities-CHALLENGE YOURSELF!
- Continue to develop your extracurricular activities and personal qualities.
September:
- Attend the Junior/ Parent College Information Night. Thursday, September 16, 7:30 p.m.
October:
- Attend the NACCAP Christian College Fair at Timothy. Wednesday, October 6, 6:30-8:30p.m.
- Take the PSAT. Wednesday, October 13, 8:15-11:45 a.m., Gym.
- Attend the C.O.D. College Fair, Thursday, October 14, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
- Attend the Financial Aid/Scholarship Seminar at Timothy. Thursday, October 14, 7:00p.m.
- Attend the National College Fair at Navy Pier, Saturday, October 24, 11:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.
December:
- Register for Excel Edge, Inc., ACT 36, an ACT prep course, if you desire to do so.
- Evaluate the results of the PSAT to determine if you need to practice with sample questions, computer disc, or a prep class before taking the ACT in the spring.
January:
- Attend the Calvin College Financial Aid Seminar at Timothy.
(Tuesday, January 4, 7:00 p.m.)
February:
- Begin the ACT 36 course if you have registered, February 2 – March 23, 7:00-9:00 p.m.
- Sign up for a conference with Mrs. David or Mrs. Raley to discuss senior year registration and post high school college and career plans.
March:
- Register by March 4 to take the April 9 ACT at www.actstudent.org
- Use PSAT scores, GPA, and class rank to begin your college search.
- Begin collecting and reviewing college information.
- Begin visiting colleges if you haven’t already done so.
April:
- Take the ACT, Saturday, April 9.
May:
- Take the SAT, if desired.
- Take Advanced Placement Tests, if applicable, weeks of May 2 and May 9.
June:
- Retake the ACT if desired, Saturday, June 11.
- Take the SAT II: Subject Tests (Achievement), if appropriate.
- Begin to call or write colleges for information and admission requirements. Visit colleges, read college information, review this guide, and develop a list of colleges.
- Discuss participating in athletics on the college level with your high school coach. If you wish to participate in intercollegiate athletics as a freshman at a Division I or II institution you must register with the NCAA Eligibility Center after the completion of your spring semester, junior year. For information you should go to the Prospective Student Athlete page on the NCAA Eligibility Center website www.eligibilitycenter.org From there you can fill out the online form, print all forms and brochures, or you can call the NCAA publications hotline at 877/262-1492. There is no deadline to register, but, you must be certified and complete the amateurism questions before receiving an athletic scholarship or practicing and competing at a Division I or II institution.
Seniors
- Visit colleges during the summer following your junior year (preferably not in August, their busiest month) or early fall of your senior year.
- Continue to challenge yourself and do your best in your studies and activities. Highly competitive schools look for consistency throughout all four years of high school.
September:
- Register to retake the ACT, SAT, and SAT subject tests as needed.
- Begin applying to colleges or universities as soon after September 1 as possible.
- Attend college representative sessions offered at Timothy. Many colleges and universities visit during the lunch hour.
- Narrow your college choices.
- Go to the college websites to complete an online application or to print one. You may also request financial aid information.
- Visit colleges, especially over long weekends in the fall.
- Parent and student should complete the Senior Brag sheet and Student Self-assessment.
- Attend the Senior/Parent College Information Night, Monday, September 13, 7:30 p.m.
October:
- Attend the NACCAP Christian College Fair, Wednesday, October 6, 6:30-8:30 p.m., Gym.
- Attend the Scholarship/Financial Aid Seminar, Thursday, October 14, 7:00 p.m., Choir Room.
- Attend the C.O.D. College Fair, Thursday, October 14, 6:30-9:00 p.m.
- Attend the National College Fair (Navy Pier), Saturday, October 23, 11:00-3:00p.m.
- Continue to visit campuses and meet with college representatives. All weekday college visits must be pre-arranged with the high school office and the college. Please follow the pre-arranged absence policy for college visiting days.
- Fill out applications. Be aware of deadlines, especially Early Applications.
- Register for SAT II: Subject Tests (Achievements) as appropriate.
November:
- Complete applications and transcript request forms turning them in to the office or your counselor for processing.
December:
- If you wish to apply to a college or university before January 1, the transcript request form and any necessary recommendation requests must be turned in to the office by the first week in December.
- If you wish to receive financial aid and are intending to fill out the FAFSA via the internet you and your parent should apply for your individual PIN numbers. You should go to www.fafsa.ed.gov for the PIN number and for the financial aid worksheets.
January:
- Attend the Financial Aid Seminar, Tuesday, January 4, 7:00p.m., Choir Room(tentative)
- Fill out financial aid forms in January. Applications should be completed via the internet and are accepted after January 1.
- Apply for campus housing early if you have determined which college or university you wish to attend.
- Arrange with your counselor to forward a mid-year report and/or seventh semester grades if required by the college or university.
- Check for available scholarships from the listing on the internet, the counseling center, or your local public high school.
March:
- As college admission decisions arrive, revisit schools as needed to make comparisons.
- Register for Advanced Placement Exams as appropriate.
April:
- Make your college choice and send a deposit. If you double deposit, you should check if your deposit is refundable should you choose to not attend.
- Notify your counselor about college decisions and scholarships received.
May:
- Notify the colleges to which you are not planning to attend.
- Take Advance Placement Tests, if appropriate, weeks of May 2 and May 9.
- Attend college orientation programs as scheduled.
- Be sure to request that your final transcript be sent to the college which you plan to attend.
CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR GRADUATION!
Return to High School Counseling Office Home Page