EAST – WEST SCHOOL OF INTERNATIONAL STUDIES
COLLEGE PREPARATION TIMELINE
FRESHMAN YEAR
❏ Build strong academic skills by doing well in all courses
❏ Study hard and get excellent grades
Do your best to earn Grade Point Average (GPA) of 80% or above
Read at least 5 fiction/nonfiction books during Freshman year
❏ Become involved in school activities and volunteer for community activities
❏ Meet with your counselor to discuss your plans for the next four years
❏ Begin building your Student Resume by keeping track of your activities, honors, work experience and academic record
❏ Begin saving money for college
❏ Register for SAT subject tests, if appropriate
❏ Plan on visiting college campuses while on vacation
SOPHOMORE YEAR
❏ Continue building a strong academic record
Set academic goal to earn Grade Point Average (GPA) of 85% or higher
❏ Continue to participate in extracurricular activities and community service
Read at least 5 fiction/nonfiction books during Sophomore year
❏ Consult with your guidance counselor about taking the PSAT as a sophomore
❏ Speak with your counselor about taking the PSAT as a sophomore
October Take PSAT
December receive PSAT results
❏ Check out www.collegeboard.org , review PSAT scores
Perform internet research about colleges, careers, and scholarships
❏ Register for SAT subject tests, if appropriate
❏ Update your Student Resume
❏ Explore summer enrichment programs offered at universities
❏ Complete a career search
JUNIOR YEAR
Be prepared to work hard this year!
Junior Year is the most important year to prepare for College
Aim to achieve a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 90% or better
Make sure to read at least 5 fiction/nonfiction books during Junior Year
September/October
❏ Get off to a strong start in school
❏ Register for and take the PSAT
November/December
❏ PSAT results available
❏ Begin to research a preliminary college list
❏ Register for January SAT if you are in the Fall SAT elective
December/January
❏ Register for SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT tests
❏ Are you on track to meet your graduation requirements?
February/March
❏Request an Individual parent/student counselor conferences
❏ Surf the Web for college, career, and scholarship information
❏ Begin visiting colleges you have interest in - Spring break is an excellent time to see colleges
❏ Begin researching summer opportunities
❏ Continue to participate in school and community activities
April/May
❏ Take appropriate SAT/ACT test
❏ Begin a filing system for college material
❏ Send for college information
❏ Make appointments for tours and/or interviews and visit colleges
June
❏ Take SAT/ACT
❏ Request teacher recommendation letters
❏ Take final exams and Regents exams in school
❏ Finalize your Student Resume
Finalize your College List
July/August
❏ Do something meaningful during the summer that you can talk about in essays and interviews
❏ VISIT COLLEGES
❏ Begin organizing possible essays for colleges
SENIOR YEAR
r There is a lot to do this year! Remember to be organized, meet deadlines and ask questions
r Work hard to earn a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 95% or better
r Keep reading – be sure to read at least 5 fiction/nonfiction books during Senior year
September
❏ Be sure you have all the courses and credits required for graduation
❏ Register for the SAT Reasoning test, SAT subject tests, and/or ACT tests
❏ Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers, employers and others who know you well
❏ Prepare college applications
If you decide to apply early decision, submit your application to your counselor two weeks before its deadline
❏ File CSS PROFILE Financial Aid form if your college requires it
October
❏ Review your high school transcript with your counselor
❏ Finish college essays
❏ Continue visiting colleges
❏ Check the College Representative visiting schedule in the Guidance Office
❏ Register for SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT exams
❏ Continue to work on college applications - MEET EARLY DECISION DEADLINES
❏ Attend college fairs/open houses
❏ Begin to apply for scholarships
November
❏ Finalize college choices
❏ Take SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests and/or ACT exams
❏ Talk with college friends home for Thanksgiving
❏ Submit college applications - keep copies of everything you send out
❏ Send SAT Reasoning Test, SAT subject tests and/or ACT results directly to colleges
❏ Continue to check for Scholarship information
❏ Check status of Letters of Recommendation
December/January
❏ FAFSA (Federal Financial Aid Forms) available in January at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/- must be filed by student and parent in early January
❏ NOTE: All colleges need to receive mid-year grades - AVOID SENIOR SLUMP
❏ Are all your applications submitted?
February/March
❏ File all appropriate forms as soon as possible
❏ Any applications still not submitted should be completed as soon as possible
if the deadline allows
❏ Notify your counselor of all college acceptances, rejections, and wait-listed status
❏ Continue to check for scholarships
April/May
❏ Make final decisions about college - Submit necessary deposit
❏ Report all college decisions to your counselor - notify him/her about which college you will attend
❏ Report all scholarships, grants, and awards to your counselor
June
❏ Confirm post high school plans with your counselor
❏ Meet all graduation requirements
❏ Meet all college deadlines to ensure your place in the college of your choice.
❏ GRADUATION - Congratulations and Good Luck