College Planning – A Suggested Timeline

	9^th Grade	10^th Grade	11^th Grade	12^th Grade
Goal setting	Identify career goals by assessing your interests, values and abilities	Continue career assessment – what training will best meet your career goals?	Identify the factors important to you in choosing a college	Determine a major field of study for college
College Requirements	Develop a 4 year plan for courses which meet college requirements (and graduation requirements)	Evaluate your goals in terms of your academic performance – are your plans realistic?	Research colleges to determine if you match their requirements	Acquire application forms and apply by deadlines Request letters of reference and write essays as needed
Testing		PLAN in October	PSAT in October ACT or SAT in Spring	Retake ACT or SAT in Fall SAT Achievement, if needed
Activities	Become familiar with college entrance requirements Begin to document extracurricular activities	Begin to review college viewbooks and visit college campuses	Take the College Planning Seminar Develop a list of colleges that meet your needs Continue to visit colleges	Narrow your list of colleges and apply in Fall Continue to visit colleges Make your final decision in Spring
Financial Aid		Summer jobs can mean money for college	Review summer opportunities for juniors – apply to those that interest you	Complete federal financial aid forms in January Review scholarship opportunities and apply to appropriate sources
Resources	Talk with your parents, counselor, teachers, and friends career goal setting unit in 9^th grade social studies	College viewbooks and references in counseling office College web-sites Computer programs with career and college information	Test prep workshops College Nights Test applications in Counseling Office	In-State college applications in Counseling Office Visits by college representatives Scholarship list published monthly