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A Standard Timeline to College

No matter where you begin, read it all and then take it one step at a time.

First Step (or Middle school)

  • Take challenging classes. They'll give you stronger skills and make it easier for you to take rigorous high-school courses.
  • Investigate college-sponsored prep opportunities such as Upward Bound, AVID, and Talent Search.

Next Step (9th grade)

  • Prepare a four-year plan with your school counselor that includes math, science, social studies, English and foreign language every year. This will give you better skills and a stronger transcript. 
  • Begin or continue an activity you truly enjoy, such as a volunteer organization, club, sport, art, work or whatever you find fulfilling.
  • Commit to doing your best class work. Colleges look at a high-school student's cumulative grade-point average, which includes grades in core subjects from freshman year.  Take a study skills or time management class or read a book such as "Becoming a Master Student" by Dave Ellis.
  • Apply for a Social Security card if you can. It's required for some college applications and for getting jobs.

Next (10th grade)

  • Review your four-year high-school schedule with your counselor and adjust it if needed.
  • Continue in or investigate college-sponsored prep opportunities such as Upward Bound, AVID, and Talent Search.
  • Continue to take tough classes and aim for good grades. If you can, sign up for Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate, community college or honors classes.
  • Attend college fairs and your local College Night to gain a general sense of school choices. 
  • Start collecting recommendation letters from your favorite teachers. It'll be easier to get the letters when you're in their class (and they are less busy).
  • Clear a bookshelf where you can organize your growing collection of college materials. Better yet, turn that cardboard box into a filing system.
  • Follow your passion outside of class. Volunteer at a food bank. Join a chess club. Form a rock band. It'll be fun, add balance to your life and, as a bonus, it'll enhance your college application.

In Summer (before 11th grade)

  • Take summer-school classes if you need to boost your math and writing skills.
  • Work, if you can, and start stashing cash for college.
  • Continue to follow your passion and challenge yourself. If you love animals, volunteer at a wildlife camp. If you love to cook, take a culinary class.  If you love helping others become a camp counselor.

Fall

  • Sign up in September for the October PSAT, a three-hour test that will help you pinpoint academic areas to work on. (The test could also qualify you for a National Merit Scholarship.)
  • Talk to your parents about college choices and finances.  Remember to consider starting at a community college as a transfer student.
  • Pinpoint what you really want in a college then start looking for good fits. Use an internet college-search survey (such as www.collegeboard.com), tour local colleges, send away for free college brochures, visit college Web sites and talk to students and counselors at some choice colleges.
  • Visit the National College Fair and talk with college reps.  If you're thinking of going into the arts, don't miss the Visual & Performing Arts College Fair.
  • Register for the spring SAT or ACT exams if you aim to apply for Early Decision. Sign up, too, for the SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II) if you're applying to highly selective colleges. Such colleges usually require three subject tests, but vary in which ones they require; check with individual colleges.
  • Plan to visit some campuses over spring break.

Spring

Summer (before 12th grade)

September

  • Meet with your counselor to review your college-application plans.
  • Prepare a final list of possible schools.
  • Make copies of all applications so you'll have a fresh form if you make a mistake.
  • Ask your counselor and teachers for recommendation letters — and give them at least a three-week lead time because you don't want them to feel rushed (and cranky).

October

  • Submit your application for Early Decision, if needed.
  • Work on your college essays.
  • Take the SAT and/or ACT if you haven't done so already or if you think you can improve your scores.
  • Remind your recommenders of their deadlines.

November

  • Fill out your college applications.
  • Review your high-school scholarship bulletin and apply for scholarships.

December

  • Request transcripts be sent to colleges requiring them.
  • Fill out a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit it to the processing agency, Federal Student Aid Programs. That agency will send the results to each college you've listed on the form. (You may need to nudge your parents to work on their taxes, because tax forms must accompany your request for financial aid.) Note: It's important to file as soon as possible after Jan. 1 because financial aid is given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
  • Submit returned FAFSA forms to colleges where you're applying.
  • Keep working hard. Your course choices and grades continue to count throughout your senior year.

February and March

  • Call colleges to be sure they received your application (if they haven't already sent you a card confirming receipt).
  • Confirm that your counselor sent a midyear school report to colleges requesting them.
  • Check unexpected deadlines for housing and scholarships wherever you applied for admission.  Some colleges require additional applications even if you haven't been admitted yet.

April

  • Expect to receive application responses from colleges.
  • Visit accepting colleges (if possible) to help you make a final choice.
  • Compare financial-aid offers and ask for more money, if needed.
  • Prepare to take AP tests.

May

  • Choose a college and notify them of your intention to enroll. Let the other colleges know your decision.
  • Send in necessary tuition deposits, your student-housing forms and any other required paperwork to your chosen college.
  • Thank everyone who helped you apply, letting them know your final decision.
  • Take a bow.  It wasn't easy, but you did it.

Adapted from The Seattle Times October 19, 2004.