College Planning Guide: Rising HS Senior

HS Senior Calendar: Rising HS Seniors

during the summer months
Rising HS Seniors should have most of their college search completed. Use the summer months to visit campuses and prepare for upcoming college application submission requirements.

For those rising seniors who haven't complete a college search, refer to our late-starter file to get going.

Monthly Tasks:

Task 1: pre-HS senior year checklist
Task 2: study college entrance exams
Task 3: prepare for the college application
Task 4: visit college campuses
Task 5: complete a career (major) search
use "college worksheet" to track stats

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Task 1: Pre-HS Senior Checklist

checklist of prior monthly tasks that should be completed

Have your made any "after high school" plans such as college or other advanced education? research job trends explore careers understand your aptitude for certain careers prepare for college exams search for colleges compare colleges get the college application ready If no, you need to get going FAST. Deadlines are in the Fall. You need to have this information ready. Jump to our "late starter file" to catch up
College Search: You should have completed your list of colleges that you would like to attend. Your college list should include a profile of college costs, admission requirements, and academic programs. If no, you better get going starting with our college search directory: search colleges There are three categories of schools that should be listed: 2-3 schools that you could definitely get in 4-5 schools that you could probably get in 7-8 schools that you would like to get in If the application submission costs for 16 or more schools is too high, narrow your search to 3-3-3.
Understand Types of Schools: Colleges: generally smaller in size. They offer 4-year degree programs (BA and BS) and many 2-year Associate degrees. Universities: larger institutions with specialized degrees in business, engineering, pre-med, etc. They offer 2-year, 4-year, and many graduate and professional degrees. Community / Junior Colleges: a small college offering 2-year Associate degrees. Many students attend local community colleges with the intent to transfer to a larger institution to further their education. Online Programs: offered by small and large accredited universities. Programs are offered online with potentially some campus visit during the online course. Vocational / Career Schools: specialized schools of training for specialized trade jobs such as mechanics, computer technicians, medical assistants, etc. Programs may vary requiring only a few weeks to complete while others may require a year or more. Upon completion, graduates will receive a license, certificate or an Associate Degree.
Keep a track of your college search use our FREE tracking tools click here
Have you consider a major or field of study? Get the information you need to make the right collegiate decision: Visit collegeboard.org for in-depth review of collegiate majors and what it takes: www.MyRoad.com
Read all incoming mail from colleges and send reply cards to your schools of interest.

Have your made any "after high school" plans such as college or other advanced education?

research job trends
explore careers
understand your aptitude for certain careers
prepare for college exams
search for colleges
compare colleges
get the college application ready

If no, you need to get going FAST. Deadlines are in the Fall. You need to have this information ready.

Jump to our "late starter file" to catch up

College Search:
You should have completed your list of colleges that you would like to attend. Your college list should include a profile of college costs, admission requirements, and academic programs.

If no, you better get going starting with our college search directory: search colleges

There are three categories of schools that should be listed:

2-3 schools that you could definitely get in
4-5 schools that you could probably get in
7-8 schools that you would like to get in

If the application submission costs for 16 or more schools is too high, narrow your search to 3-3-3.

Understand Types of Schools:

Colleges:
generally smaller in size. They offer 4-year degree programs (BA and BS) and many 2-year Associate degrees.
Universities:
larger institutions with specialized degrees in business, engineering, pre-med, etc. They offer 2-year, 4-year, and many graduate and professional degrees.
Community / Junior Colleges:
a small college offering 2-year Associate degrees. Many students attend local community colleges with the intent to transfer to a larger institution to further their education.
Online Programs:
offered by small and large accredited universities. Programs are offered online with potentially some campus visit during the online course.
Vocational / Career Schools:
specialized schools of training for specialized trade jobs such as mechanics, computer technicians, medical assistants, etc. Programs may vary requiring only a few weeks to complete while others may require a year or more. Upon completion, graduates will receive a license, certificate or an Associate Degree.

Keep a track of your college search
use our FREE tracking tools

click here

Have you consider a major or field of study?
Get the information you need to make the right collegiate decision:

Visit collegeboard.org for in-depth review of collegiate majors and what it takes:
www.MyRoad.com

Read all incoming mail from colleges and send reply cards to your schools of interest.

Task 2: Study College Exams

College Entrance Exams

Register to take your college entrance exams for next Fall, if you have not done so already. Check your college listing or guidance counselor for information.

Colleges require different college entrance exams. You need to check with your college to determine which exam to take. Many students will sit for both exams to make sure they meet qualifications for all colleges. Discuss your exam needs with your guidance counselor.

There are two types of exams:

SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests:
for information and exam dates

ACT College Exam:
link to ACT for information and exam dates

practice exams and prep materials for these exams:
see our college prep area

Get ready for the college entrance exams:

Use the summer to take some practice tests that will help prepare for the real tests later this Fall:

Information about the PSAT (practice exams):
the PSAT is the test prep exam for the SAT Test. The SAT tests are administered on behalf of colleges.
www.collegeboard.org

ACT test preparation:
some colleges use the ACT test. You need to check your college to determine which test they use for admittance.
www.actstudent.org

Kaplan Testing Services:
Kaplan offers online and in-room simulation tests with guidance on weak points that need to be improved.
www.kaptest.com

Task 3: Prepare for the College Application

The summer is a good time to get your college application started.

Fill out as much information you have online. Save it. Then come back later to revise or fill in the blanks.

Key elements of the application submission

College Application:

Request an application form from each of your colleges. You can find it online or request it from the school.

The package will include the application form, submission requirements (that include your essays, transcripts and other) and self-addressed envelopes for the letters of recommendations.

See if your school use the COMMON application form

the COMMON application form is used by 300+ schools. This can save you time from completing multiple application forms: see form at www.commonapp.org

you can save the COMMON application form online until you are ready to submit it electronically to participating schools

or get the application from your school:

— link to your college to submit your application form online or to request a application packet:
use our college search directory for your school's web site

Early Decision Note:
you need to decide if you are going to do early admission. If so, you will need to have your application completed and ready to submit between October and November of your senior year.

The advantage of early decision is that you will know whether you have been accepted by early January. The disadvantage of early decision is that you may be legally bound to attend that school if you are accepted. So decide on early decisions for those schools that are your first choice.

College Essays:

Your college admissions application will most likely require 1- 2 essays. Use the summer to write and edit your essays. The essay is an important decisional parameter for college admission.

Essay resource and editing services:
use this resource to edit your essay — you will expert advice from professionals who are experts in college essay review
EssayEdge.com

Quick view in our tool set: essay writing tips
Quick view in our tool set: essay samples

College Recommendations:

Most college admissions application require 1-2 recommendations from teachers and/or community leaders. Select who should write your recommendation. Give the person plenty of time (about 3-4 weeks prior to your deadline).

Also provide them a short autobiography, a list of your outside activities, school transcript and a self-addressed envelope as instructed by your college. Please note that the teacher works with hundreds of students. So give them plenty of time.

School Transcripts:

Double check your transcripts when you start your senior year. You will need to forward these transcripts to colleges for admission review. Make sure the following:

all grades are posted correctly

all required courses for graduation are listed

all required courses for college admittance are listed

It is important that these transcripts are correct and up-to-date. If not, meet with school administration to repair any errors.

Extracurricular's:

Take a swim, tennis, karate or other class over the fall semester. You want to show well-roundness in your application. Just the right amount of studies (with good grades) and outside activities. Don't think that a lot of extracurricular activities are a must. You just need to show a balance.

More advice: download this FREE article from ivyedge.com
"Secrets to College Admission"

How to build a well-rounded character:

Complete guide on discipline and character building. Has illustrations on the building blocks of success.

view our "building success" module

Task 4: Summer College Visits

Campus Visit Checklist

The summer is a good time to schedule college visits and interviews. These college appointments will go fast, so start early by contacting your college of choice:

Start with a virtual tour:
this is good place to start prior to making an actual visit:
www.campustours.com

or visit the college web site for a tour and map: college directory

Start with a virtual tour:
this is good place to start prior to making an actual visit:
www.campustours.com

or visit the college web site for a tour and map: college directory

Plan to visit the college for a full day.
Attend when the school is in session, if possible.

Arrange an interview with the admission office
or other "campus visit" groups

Meet with the financial aid office
to get all related financial aid information offered by that school

When doing a visit,
check out the library, student unions, sporting facilities, and academic centers. Walk the campus to familiarize yourself with the layout.

Review housing facilities and dormitories
to determine whether to live on-campus or off-campus housing. Note the college rules for housing. Some colleges require first-time Freshmen to live in dormitories.

Schedule time to speak with students and faculty
visit the clubs and societies that are part of the campus life. Check campus rules, safety programs, and facilities that maintain the safety of the campus.

Drive around the surrounding community
to familiarize yourself with restaurants, theaters, rec areas, job opportunities, etc.

Start with a virtual tour: this is good place to start prior to making an actual visit: www.campustours.com or visit the college web site for a tour and map: college directory
Plan to visit the college for a full day. Attend when the school is in session, if possible.
Arrange an interview with the admission office or other "campus visit" groups
Meet with the financial aid office to get all related financial aid information offered by that school
When doing a visit, check out the library, student unions, sporting facilities, and academic centers. Walk the campus to familiarize yourself with the layout.
Review housing facilities and dormitories to determine whether to live on-campus or off-campus housing. Note the college rules for housing. Some colleges require first-time Freshmen to live in dormitories.
Schedule time to speak with students and faculty visit the clubs and societies that are part of the campus life. Check campus rules, safety programs, and facilities that maintain the safety of the campus.
Drive around the surrounding community to familiarize yourself with restaurants, theaters, rec areas, job opportunities, etc.

Task 5: Complete a Career Search

Take the summer to review your career interest once again.
See if anything has changed to help match the college to your career goal:

Evaluate Your Career Interests
your first step in finding the right career is to evaluate what you would like to do and what career fits your overall aptitude www.careerkey.org
Understand your interests and career relationship:
online career assessments for a small fee
Strong Interest Inventory®

Now lets explore what's required for your career.
See what will be required in order to achieve your dream:

Visit collegeboard.org for in-depth review of collegiate majors.
Requires log-in: www.MyRoad.com

What do you want to be?
Interest measurement based on varying fields of study: www.jvis.com
Do you have the aptitude skills for your selected major?
Learn more about this Vocational Aptitude exam that measures several aptitudes in mathematics, general science, reasoning, and other.

The exam is used by the armed forces in place candidates in select career fields — by taking the exam, however, does not imply that you are enlisting for any armed service:
www.asvabprogram.com