A well-rounded college student will need to develop a solid resume. 

Some factors considered by colleges are:

  • Grade Point Average
  • SAT/ACT scores
  • Extracurricular activities - internships, clubs, sports, performing arts
  • Volunteering
  • Recommendations
  • Essays

 

Freshman Year

  • Get involved in extracurricular activities
  • Get off to a good start--Freshman grades are just as important as any high school grades you earn
  • Discuss your class schedule with your Counselor to ensure that you are in classes that will benefit you

 

Sophomore Year

  • PSAT in October
  • Continue extracurricular activities and building a resume
  • Keep your grades up

 

Junior Year

September

  • Sign up for the PSAT
  • Get involved in extracurricular activities
  • College visits, possibly attend an Open House
  • Develop an activities list
  • Attend College Night

October

  • Research and develop a list of colleges
  • Explore individual college websites
  • Take the PSAT

November

  • Meet with your Counselor to discuss future options
  • Decide when you will take the SAT and begin the registration process
  • Apply to Summer Governor's School in the Arts and Foreign Languages
  • Begin prep for the SAT/ACT

December

  • Research colleges during the break.
  • Exams

January

  • SAT
  • Apply to Summer Governor's School in Math/Science

February

  • Choose your Senior classes
  • ACT
  • Research summer internship opportunities
  • Academic Record Sheets available

March

  • SAT
  • SOL Writing Test

April

  • Visit colleges, possibly during Spring Break
  • ACT

May

  • SAT
  • SOL Tests
  • AP Exam
  • SAT Subject Tests

June

  • SAT
  • ACT
  • SAT Subject Tests
  • Exams
  • Begin to narrow list of colleges and plan summer visits.

 

Senior Year

July

  • Begin scholarship search
  • Visit colleges and their websites
  • Download college applications
  • Begin writing essays
  • Determine who should write your recommendations
  • Register for fall SAT/ACT

August

  • Senior Workshops
  • College open houses
  • Update activity sheet
  • Develop a calendar of deadlines for colleges
  • Work on early action/decision applications
  • Ask educators to write your recommendations

September

  • Keep your grades up, colleges will see your Senior grades
  • ACT
  • Develop a list of colleges to send an application to
  • Decide which colleges you are applying at early, rolling, or regular deadline
  • Continue working on applications and essays
  • Meet with your Counselor for Senior Conference

October

  • SAT
  • SAT Subject Tests

November

  • Scholarship Bulletin
  • SAT/ACT
  • SAT Subject Tests
  • Check early decision/application deadlines

December

  • Exams
  • SAT/ACT

January

  • Begin working on FAFSA
  • Check college application deadlines
  • SAT

February

  • Submit FAFSA
  • Check college application deadlines
  • Academic Record available
  • ACT

March

  • Apply for local scholarships

April

  • Review college acceptance letters
  • Compare financial aid awards

May

  • AP Tests
  • Exams
  • Finalize college decision
  • Senior Exit Survey

June

  • Graduation