FOR STUDENTS PLANNING TO APPLY TO FOUR-YEAR COLLEGES

September

Make sure you have taken the SAT at least twice unless you aced it the first time. If not, sign up for the SAT early so you get a location near you.

If you have not done so, sign up for the SAT subject tests. ( You need two.)

Some students do better on the ACT – consider signing up for this too if you are applying to very selective schools.

Start researching colleges:

                  Go to their webpage: check their majors under undergraduate majors                         or  curriculum. (SAMPLE ADMISSIONS PAGE)

                  Click admissions for their criteria.

                  Begin to fill out your checklist.

Go to www.collegeboard.com and check out the particulars of what the colleges you’ve selected values to get a sense of if this is a reasonable choice for you. (See sample search)

The link "How do I stack up?" allows you to see where you stand in terms of admissions criteria. (sample)

October:

Download applications or create your online ID to start applications.

Make a file for each college to which you are applying.

Put a checklist on the front of each file that includes:

                  deadlines for each form you need to submit

                  space to check off when you’ve done this.

Make a calendar for October through January with the deadline dates listed on the calendar . Post it in your room on your door where you will face it every day!

 

If you need teacher, counselor, or personal recommendations, ask for a commitment now from those whom you will be giving forms. Give them a filled-out Student Profile sheet to help them write a convincing recommendation.

 

Begin applications.

                  Online advantages:

                                    It will let you know if you’ve left something out.

                                    It is really more trustworthy than the U.S. mail.

 

                  Online disadvantages: we will give you a letter that explains the Middle College program. You can’t submit this if it’s an online application. Also, there may not be room on the online application for all the college classes you’ve taken.

                  Solution: if you choose to go online, include this information in one of the essays you have to write for the college.

 

Ask your parents to start gathering the information they will need for the financial part of the application.

 

SAT scores : have your SAT and SAT subject test scores sent to each of your colleges by going to www.collegeboard.com and making this request.

 

High school transcripts: Go to your regular high school with a list of the college admissions office addresses and fill out a request to have them send your high school transcripts to each of your colleges. (They may charge you $3 per school.)

CSM transcripts: Go the registrar’s office at CSM with a list of the college admissions office addresses and fill out a request to have them send your high school transcripts to each of your colleges. (They may charge you $3 per school.) 

                 

Check all the essay topics required. by all the colleges you plan to apply to. Decide which can do double duty. Start brainstorming the essays.

 

November:

Finish UC applications and essays. Note: Do not wait until the weekend before the application is due to submit your application. The system often crashes due to the heavy load

 

Hand out recs. if you need them. Meet with the rec. teacher to help brainstorm what your activities and values are.

 

December

Work on private college applications. (Deadlines are usually January 1 or 2,

 

January

Fill out FAFSA with your parents  and get it in as soon after Jan2 as possible.

Start looking for scholarships.