PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

Each year in high school is important if you want to keep your options open for life after high school. Whether you are planning to go to work, to a training program or to a college directly after school, the courses you plan to take in high school will matter. To keep your options open and to plan for college you should take the following courses in high school:

• English: 4 years of college preparatory English

• Mathematics: 4 years of college preparatory mathematics, including at least Algebra I and II and Geometry

• Science: 3 years of college preparatory science (with laboratory) such as Biology, Chemistry or Physics

• Foreign Language: at least 2 years of a single foreign language, such as Spanish

• Social Studies: 3 years

• Electives: Students generally may select additional courses from the categories listed above, as well as computer science, visual and performing arts and humanities.

FRESHMAN AND SOPHOMORE YEARS

• Begin exploring with your school guidance counselor different career opportunities and the post-secondary education required for these careers.

• Become a part of student government, school newspapers, an athletic team, a school club, a community volunteer agency, a band or orchestra or dance team, a youth group at church or anything that interests you and will either enhance skills you already have or give you new ones. Look for a job to give you experience and money. All these things will help you become a well rounded student whom college admissions officers value.

• Increase the amount of reading you do outside of school work. Read newspapers every day, and novels with subjects you enjoy.

• Cost: Do not let the cost of a college education scare you away. There are many kinds of financial aid programs available.

• Family: Discuss college with your family. Research summer enrichment programs and jobs.

JUNIOR YEAR

September

• Register for the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (P.S.A.T.) held in October. Some scholarships, such as the National Hispanic Scholar Awards Program, base their awards on the P.S.A.T scores.

• Find out about and sign up for any scheduled college fairs.

• Sign up for high school extracurricular activities.

• Continue career exploration throughout junior year.

October

• Take the P.S.A.T.

• Have a family discussion about tentative college plans.

• Start exploring information about colleges you might attend. Talk with your high school guidance counselor and teachers.

• Collect information from college fairs, attend college presentations at the high school, read college guides.

November/December

• Find out the following about colleges: application procedures, entrance requirements (standardized test scores, grade point averages and class rank), size, location, fees, room and board costs, student activities, courses or major offerings and financial aid procedures.

January/February

• Review senior year course selection, graduation requirements and college plans with guidance counselor.

• Sign up for a Scholastic Assessment Test (S.A.T.) preparation course.

March/April

• Register for Spring SAT or the American College Test (A.C.T.). Many universities, including all 14 State System universities, accept the A.C.T.

• Begin narrowing down your list of colleges.

• Visit college campuses. Check with your guidance office for scheduled trips to college campuses.

• Register for S.A.T II tests (optional). Some colleges require the S.A.T. II test. Be sure to research the requirements of any college in which you are interested.

• Research and register for summer enrichment programs.

May/June/Summer

• May/June: Take the S.A.T. or A.C.T.

• Gather applications, forms, catalogs and information about financial aid for chosen colleges. Check with the high school guidance counselor. Call or write to college admissions offices to obtain information.

• Research private sources of scholarships and other forms of financial aid including colleges, businesses, private foundations, labor unions, government agencies, ethnic, veteran, religious, fraternal, high school and civic organizations. Request scholarship applications from these sources.

• Start developing essays for college applications.

• Ask teachers for recommendations.

• Check with counselor to verify graduation credits and requirements.

SENIOR YEAR

September

• Discuss higher education plans with family and guidance counselor. Consider college choices and financial planning.

• Continue gathering college information and application forms. Ask teachers for letters of recommendation.

• Continue work on college applications.

• Register for the S.A.T. or A.C.T. test (or any other required admission test).

• Choose 4 to 6 colleges to which you will send applications. Choose these colleges in a range from easy-to-be-admitted to competitive.

• Begin completing college applications for admission and financial aid. Be sure to pay close attention to the admission and financial aid application deadlines. Keep records of all correspondence.

• If applying for early decision, begin preparing application no later than September.

October/November

• Register for, or re-take, the S.A.T. or A.C.T. test offered in these months (or any other required test for admission).

• Continue to complete and send (usually through the guidance office) college applications for admission and financial aid. Make sure first report card grades are included. Dont' forget to include the appropriate fees and make copies of everything before sending. Keep records of all correspondence.

• Make arrangements for college interviews. Interviews are sometimes required and usually highly recommended.

• Make sure to visit those colleges you are seriously considering and to which you have been accepted. Ask many questions. Talk with current students, sit in on classes, and check retention rates for first year students.

December

• Register for or re-take the S.A.T./A.C.T. test offered this month (or any other required admission test).

• Continue to apply for any private sources of scholarships or any other forms of financial aid.

January

• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to apply for a grant from the federal government and, for state aid, the application from the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA.)

• Check with each college to see which financial aid forms are necessary and ask about deadlines. (Students who wish to attend college out of state may be required to complete both the FAFSA and the FAF forms). Keep records of all correspondence.

February/March

• Ask counselors to send second report period grades to colleges if this hasn't already been done.

• Develop a direct contact at the financial aid offices of those schools to which you have been accepted. Use this contact periodically to check on the status of your financial aid applications.

• Complete any additional forms from institutions or state aid agencies. The deadline for the PHEAA application is May 1st (regardless of whether you are entering college in September or January.)

April/May/June

• Keep track of acceptances, denials and financial aid award letters.

• Reply promptly to colleges that offer admission. Reply dates are usually up to May 1.

• After applying for federal grants you will receive a Student Aid Report (S.A.R.). You will have to check these forms for corrections and follow all other instructions. If all information is correct, send or take the SAR to the financial aid officer of the college you will attend. If corrections are made, return the SAR to the agency which processed it.

• Promptly submit deposits required for admission and housing to the college you will attend. Pay attention to deadlines.

• Off you go to college! Congratulations! Don't miss your orientation and registration days.

Adapted from COLLEGE PLANNER for high school students, a publication of the Philadelphia Education Fund, College Access Program.

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