January
- Identify characteristics you want in a college
- Attend college fairs and financial aid nights
- Clear up the financial aid myths about paying for college (managingcollegecosts.com)
- Let your parents know that the IRS could save them money through education tax deductions and credits
- Research specific college entrance requirements
February
- Start searching for scholarships (studentscholarshipsearch.com, fastweb.com, naviance.com)
- Register and study for the SAT and/or ACT. All Juniors will take the test in April.
- Select senior year classes - check with your counselor to ensure your courses meet necessary college requirements
March
- Plan campus visits
- Narrow your college list to a reasonable number
- Contact the financial aid office for each college on your list to discuss payment options
- Keep up college discussions with your family and counselors
- Get answers to your "going-to-college" questions
- Estimate how much various colleges will cost
April–May
- Decide when to register for any necessary entrance exams.
- Download College Answer's Campus Visit Checklist (pdf) and start visiting colleges
- Take the SAT and/or ACT, if necessary.
- Take Advanced Placement (AP) tests, if necessary
- Get a summer job to save extra money
- Considering a military academy or an ROTC scholarship? Meet with your high school counselor
Summer after Junior Year
- Improve your reading and vocabulary skills
- Continue searching for scholarships and ways to pay
- Combine vacation plans with campus visits
- Start working on your college application essays
- Talk to people in interesting careers
- Decide who you’ll ask to write letters of recommendation
- Talk with college friends home for summer
