College Countdown Checklist
Fall
of Freshman Year:
Talk with your
Guidance Counselor about how to get the most out of your high school career.
Get involved with extracurricular activities such as sports. Begin to work
towards your community service requirements.
Spring
of Freshman Year:
Meet with your
Guidance Counselor to map out your schedule for the rest of high school.
Fall
of Sophomore Year:
Begin taking
standardized tests such as the PLAN (a preliminary version of the ACT) and the
PSAT (a preliminary version of the SAT). Continue to work towards your
community service requirements. Visit a college fair and start thinking about
your college options.
Spring
of Sophomore Year:
Meet with your
Guidance Counselor and talk about your goals and college plans. Register for
the ACT or SAT. Review your long-term course schedule to be sure you are
meeting all college entrance requirements. Look into Advanced Placement or Dual
Enrollment courses to earn college credit beginning in your Junior year.
Summer
before Junior Year:
Add to your resume
and your savings account with a part-time job. Work towards your community
service requirements.
Fall
of Junior Year:
Take the SAT and/or
the ACT for the first time, see how you do! Start a file for mail from colleges
that interest you.
Winter
of Junior Year:
Register for the
Spring ACT and/or SAT. Decide on which schools you would like your scores sent.
Attend another college fair and begin to narrow down your choices. Make plans
to visit colleges for a weekend.
Spring
of Junior Year:
Take the ACT and/or
SAT again; see if your scores increase! When you receive your scores, meet with
your Guidance Counselor to see which schools and scholarships you may qualify
for. Double check your schedule for Senior year to be sure you are meeting all
requirements. Look into pre-college programs for the summer; you can use these
to earn college credit and get an inside look at life on campus!
Summer
before Senior Year:
Get information from
your top ten schools. Look for specific information on Financial Aid that will
help make your decision. Put together a list of courses taken, awards received,
both in and out of school, and extracurricular activities; this list will help
you fill out applications. Begin the application process at 3-5 colleges.
Fall
of Senior Year:
Narrow your list of
college choices to no more than five and finish the application process at each
of these schools. Ask selected adults to fill out any recommendation forms
required by your chosen schools. Write drafts of your application essays. If
you are unhappy with your earlier scores, retake the ACT and/or SAT. Apply for
scholarships that you are eligible to receive. Schedule a longer visit at your
top two or three schools. Finish your community service requirements
Winter
of Senior Year:
Finish any remaining
applications. Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as
soon after January 1st as possible. Continue to apply for
scholarships. Apply for the Florida Bright Futures scholarship.
Spring
of Senior Year:
Receive acceptance letters from colleges. Contact schools you have decided not
to attend and inform them of your intentions.
GRADUATE!