Resources and College Application Timeline

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College Application Timeline

Participate in a couple of clubs or sports teams that are of interest to you.
Take the most rigorous course load recommended by your guidance counselor
Remember that as distant as it seems, grades this year begin to count for college admissions
Look for meaningful volunteer opportunities
If offered at your school, take the PSAT or PLAN in the fall (this is mandatory at some schools, but if offered on a volunteer basis, take the opportunity!)

Take a rigorous course load, including an AP or IB class or two, if available
Continue to take an active role in your clubs and consider running for a leadership position for your Junior year
Continue volunteering in your community in a meaningful way
Take the PSAT, if possible.
Begin preparing to take the SAT and/or ACT. Check the calendar for testing dates and deadlines
Consider taking the SAT or ACT at the end of this year, to get a baseline score
Do some college visits the summer after this year, based on interests, GPA, and anticipated test scores

Continue taking the most rigorous courses you can handle
Take the PSAT in October to see if you qualify for a National Merit Scholarship
Take the SAT and ACT in the fall. Consider hiring a tutor if you plan to re-take them in the spring.
Continue your college visits over school breaks
In the spring, ask teachers to write letters of recommendation for your college applications
Seek leadership opportunities in your extracurriculars
Continue volunteering
Continue with college visits, and possibly college interviews, over the summer
Write your college application essays and identify scholarship opportunities during the summer

Breathe!
Open a Common Application account and identify any schools on your application list that require you to download separate applications. Apply.
Continue taking a rigorous course load
Fill in a calendar with all relevant deadlines for applications, recommendations and scholarships and post it where you will see it regularly
Complete visits to any remaining colleges that you would like to see
Attend an Accepted Students day or weekend, if you need help to reach a decision about where to attend after you have been accepted