August
*Review your high school courses and activities. Colleges look for challenging course work, strong grades and extracurricular activities.
September
*Browse college catalogs and guidebooks and surf the Web for Information.
*List 10 colleges you think you would like to attend
*Talk to your parents and high school counselor about that list to narrow it down.
*Register and study for the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT).
*Plan to attend college fairs and parent's nights in your area.
October
* Take the PSAT
*Research Advanced Placement (AP) or college courses you might take.
*Continue researching organizations that award scholarships to graduating seniors. You may need to apply for them the summer after your junior year.
November
*Learn about eligibility requirements for federal and private student loans.
*Talk as a family about how much you can afford to spend on your education.
January
*Plan for the next round of tests: THE SAT or THE ACT.
*Attend Financial Aid nights in your area.
*Register for the February ACT.
February
*Investigate private scholarships and other aid programs. Check with your parent's employers, local membership organizations or programs related to your intended course of study.
*Make the most of spring break with a week-long college tour.
*Take for the ACT. Take a exam prep course to help you succeed.
March
*Visit the three to six schools on your final list. Schedule an admissions interview and an overnight stay. Take time at each school's financial aid office to collect information.
*Begin preparing essays for admission and scholarship applications.
*Register for the April ACT.
*Mark your calendars with the dates for future tests.
May
*Register for the June ACT.
*Mark your calendar with the dates for future tests.
June
* Continue researching organizations that award scholarships to graduating seniors.
*You may need to apply for them this summer.
*Review your high school courses and activities. Colleges look for challenging course work, strong grades and extracurricular activities.
September
*Browse college catalogs and guidebooks and surf the Web for Information.
*List 10 colleges you think you would like to attend
*Talk to your parents and high school counselor about that list to narrow it down.
*Register and study for the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT).
*Plan to attend college fairs and parent's nights in your area.
October
* Take the PSAT
*Research Advanced Placement (AP) or college courses you might take.
*Continue researching organizations that award scholarships to graduating seniors. You may need to apply for them the summer after your junior year.
November
*Learn about eligibility requirements for federal and private student loans.
*Talk as a family about how much you can afford to spend on your education.
January
*Plan for the next round of tests: THE SAT or THE ACT.
*Attend Financial Aid nights in your area.
*Register for the February ACT.
February
*Investigate private scholarships and other aid programs. Check with your parent's employers, local membership organizations or programs related to your intended course of study.
*Make the most of spring break with a week-long college tour.
*Take for the ACT. Take a exam prep course to help you succeed.
March
*Visit the three to six schools on your final list. Schedule an admissions interview and an overnight stay. Take time at each school's financial aid office to collect information.
*Begin preparing essays for admission and scholarship applications.
*Register for the April ACT.
*Mark your calendars with the dates for future tests.
May
*Register for the June ACT.
*Mark your calendar with the dates for future tests.
June
* Continue researching organizations that award scholarships to graduating seniors.
*You may need to apply for them this summer.