Freshman and Sophomore Year:

Fall

•Create a log including all extracurricular activities, awards, community service, and honors. Update it every season.

•Get involved in extracurricular activities. Colleges are looking for well-rounded students.

•Start off the year right by making good grades.

•Make sure you are enrolled in challenging classes.

•Sophomore year, take the PSAT and the PLAN tests. The PSAT is preparation for the SAT and the PLAN is

preparation for the ACT.

Spring

•Attend college fairs in the area.

•Sign up for challenging classes for the following year.

•Colleges look for volunteer hours, so start early with meaningful community service and leadership positions.

Junior Year:

Fall

•Take the PSAT.

•Take a career assessment test to assist your career decisions.

•Create an account on www.fastweb.com and on www.schoolsoup.com. Both websites will email you scholarship

information.

•Get an SAT and an ACT preparation booklet from your Guidance Counselor and start preparing for the tests.

•Register to take the SAT and the ACT.

•Consider taking the CLEP.

Spring

•Take the SAT and the ACT.

•Collect financial aid information, admission requirements, and applications for colleges of interest.

•Start visiting colleges, and take campus tours.

Senior Year:

Fall

•Narrow a list of colleges to around 5, and make sure you have applications and financial aid information from those

schools.

•Get organized!!! Make lists of test dates, deadlines, recommendations needed, transcript requests, and any other

necessary materials.

•Take the SAT and/or the ACT again.

•Ask for teacher recommendations.

•Write application essays.

•Send in college applications. (October is the traditional Florida deadline.)

•Speak to the same college admissions rep each time, and send all paperwork to that person's attention.

Winter

•Have your Guidance Counselor send out your midyear transcript to colleges on your list.

•Contact colleges to make sure they received your application.

•Submit the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.

•Boys must register for the Selective Services by their 18th birthdays to receive federal funding.

•Many financial aid deadlines are in February; make sure to apply before the deadline.

•Fill out the FFAA for Florida Bright Futures.

•Be in contact with your financial aid officer.

Spring

•You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April.

•Decline acceptance to undesired colleges by way of a thank you note.

•Accept entrance to your desired college.

Summer

•Ask your Guidance Counselor to send your final transcripts to your college.

•Pack, and get ready for the next phase of your life!