STUDENTS ARE ENCOURAGED TO PLAN AHEAD 

COLLEGE PLANNING TIME LINE

GRADE 11

Ø        Meet in the fall with your counselor to review college-preparatory course selection.

Ø        Check class rank based on grade pint averages for freshman and sophomores.  College application process will require a sixth semester transcript as completed at the end of the junior year.

Ø        Sign up for and take the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test).  In addition to National Merit Scholarships, this is the qualifying test for the National Scholarship service and Fund for Negro Students and the National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program.

Ø        Work through sample questions provided with the explanatory material in the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin.

Ø        Be sure you have a social security number.

Ø        Examine the reasons you want to continue your education.  Focus on your goals for life and the career training you need.

Ø        Plan to take the ASVAB test to help plan for your college and career.

Ø        Make a list of colleges that meet your most important criteria (size, location, distance from home, majors, academic rigor, housing, and cost).  Weigh each of the factors according to their importance to you.

Ø        Continue visiting college fairs. Chemeketa Community College Fair. Plan to participate in the junior field trip to the National College Fair in Portland.

Ø        Speak to college representatives who visit your high school.

Ø        Begin building your college application on-line at http://www.collegequest.com.

Ø        If you are interested in one of the military academies, start the application process now.  More information is available in the Career Center.

Ø        Collect information about college application procedures, entrance requirements, tuition and fees, room and board costs, student activities, course offerings, faculty composition, accreditation, and financial aid.  The Internet is a good way to visit colleges and obtain this information.  Begin comparing the schools by the factors that you consider to be most important.

Ø        Register to take the PSAT in October.

Ø        Discuss your PSAT score with your counselor.

Ø        Begin narrowing down your college choices.  Find out the colleges you are interested in that require the SAT, ACT, or Subject Tests for admission.

Ø        Register for the ACT/SAT, which is usually taken March – June in the junior year and in the fall of the senior year, if necessary.

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Ø        Have a discussion with your parents about the college you are interested in.  Examine financial resources and gather information about financial aid.

Ø        Set up a filing system, with individual folder for each college’s correspondence and printed materials.  You can also track your colleges on line via College Quest.

Ø        Meet with your counselor to review senior year course selection and graduation requirements

Ø        Stay involved with your extracurricular activities.  Colleges look for consistency and depth in activities.

Ø        Consider whom you will ask to write your letters of recommendations.

Ø        Apply for a summer job.

Ø        Be prepared to pay for college application, financial aid, and testing fees in the fall.

Ø        Request applications from schools you’re interested in by mail, or via the Internet.