Freshman Year - Setting the stage for success

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Aug / Jan:

• Meet with your counselor to develop a four-year plan

 
Aug / June:

• Practice good time management and study skills in high school
• Work hard in challenging courses
• Become involved in activities in and out of school
• Assess your interests and abilities

June / Aug:

• Use summer months to broaden your experiences (work, travel, volunteer)

Sophomore Year - Getting Started

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Sept / June:

• Continue to practice time management and study skills in high school

October:

• Take the PSAT for practice (limited tests are available)

November:

• Attend a yearly college fair

December:

• Analyze your PSAT results
• Develop strategies for improving your scores
• Set up a simple system for organizing college information

Feb / June:

• Begin to explore college choices and possible majors

Junior Year - Exploring The Possibilities
 
Sept / June:

• Continue to strengthen your skills as a student
• Speak to college representatives who visit the High School - Visit the Counseling Office Website for more information including dates and times

October:

• Take the PSAT (listen to school announcements for dates)

November:

• Attend a yearly college fair
• Continue to research and begin to visit colleges
• Make contact with college coaches if you play a sport

December:

• Analyze for PSAT results
• Develop a plan for SAT preparation

January:

• Register for Advanced Placement tests
• Attend College Application Process Night at Elizabethtown Area High School
• Begin to narrow the college possibilities and find out which tests colleges require
• Register for SAT and SAT II (www.collegeboard.com)
• Consider the ACT test as an alternative to the SATs at act.org

March / June:  

• Take SAT, ACT and/or SAT II, if necessary
• Continue to research and visit colleges (admissions and financial aid offices)

May:

• Take Advanced Placement tests

July / Aug:

• Narrow the list of colleges
• Begin work on college applications (essay, letters of recommendation, resume)

Senior Year - Pursuing Your Future
 
Sept / Oct:

• Plan overnight visits to colleges and prepare for scheduled interviews
• Be aware of admission deadlines (Early decision is often Nov. 1)
• Take SAT and SAT II, if not taken previously
• Ask for letters of recommendation (Allow at least 2 weeks)
• Submit applications
• Request transcripts to be sent to college admissions office (Allow at least 2 weeks)
• Attend Financial Aid Night at Elizabethtown Area High School
• File FAFSA

November:

• Take SAT and SAT II, if not taken previously

December:

• Submit CSS profile to your university, if required
• Gather information for financial aid forms
• Research national and local scholarships

Jan / May:

• Consult school Counseling Office Website for scholarship information
• Reply to acceptances and meet deadlines for deposits
• Finalize financial aid package
• Request final transcripts to be sent (Allow at least 2 weeks)