College Planning

 

  • Work hard to get good grades.
  • Start a notebook that contains the following information:
    • Colleges you might be interested in
    • High School Curriculum requirements
    • Important dates and deadlines
  • Start researching college websites and take notes.  Talk with current students and alumni of these colleges.
  • Develop good study habits.  Aim for at least two hours of study each weeknight.
  • Inquire about scholarships that are available (not all scholarships are just for Seniors).  Check our website for scholarship opportunities.
  • Begin to identify your areas of academic strengths, as well as particular interest and passion.
  • During the summer months, participate in workshops, community and enrichment programs.
  • Work on your Community Service hours.  Aim to incorporate professions that interest you while earning Community Service hours.

Summer

June 

  • Be active; get a job, internship or pursue a passion        

July - August

  • Talk with family about your college goals and college costs
  • Start visiting college campuses 

Back To School

September

  • Keep your grades up - admissions counselors look closely at your junior year grades    

October

  • Stay involved and take on leadership roles in your extra-curricular activities
  • Prep for ACT or SAT, and review winter/spring test dates at actstudent.org and sat.collegeboard.org 

November

  • Think about teachers/coaches/community members/employers you can ask for recommendations in near future  

December

  • Meet with your school's college counselor to discuss your goals and make sure you're on track for graduation   

After Winter Break

January

  • Research college admissions to determine if you need to register for and take SAT's.
    **NOTE:  All Michigan colleges accept ACT   

February

  • Attend college fairs   

March

  • Identify the factors in a college that are most important to you - location, cost, programs, public, private, religious affiliation, social environment, etc.   

April

  • Visit convenient college campuses over Spring Break
  • Ask teachers/coaches/community members/employers to write your recommendation in the fall   

May

  • End junior year strong!

Summer

June

  • Complete your Community Service!   

June - July

  • Take part in activities that continue to enhance your college and scholarship applications; i.e. volunteering, jobs, passion pursuits   
  • Tour Universities

August

  • Gather application materials from colleges
  • Get to work on admission essays   

Back To School As A Senior!

September

  • Keep your grades up!  Colleges can rescind Admission Acceptance if grades slip.
  • Take charge in your exta-curricular activities and continue to demonstrate leadership 

October

  • Check-in with teachers/employers/community members/coaches you've asked for recommendations and provide them with materials and deadlines      
  • Apply for FAFSA Apply here for FAFSA

November - December

  • Order and send official ACT/SAT scores and your high school transcript to all colleges using Parchment. http://parchment.com
  • Apply for financial aid pins
  • Submit all application materials before deadlines  

December

  • Confirm materials have been received by colleges, including letters of recommendation, official scores, transcripts, etc.   

After Winter Break

February

  • Apply to any additional colleges you're still considering   

March

  • Continue to keep up your grades as you wait to hear decisions from schools
  • Apply for Local Scholarships  

April

  • Visit colleges to which you've been accepted if you still need help making a decision  

May

  • Keep an eye out for financial aid award letters around April and consider appealing if you have not been awarded a fair amount by a particular college.
  • Decide on a college and send the Enrollment Confirmation Form no later than May 1