College Planning Checklist

Use this checklist to help you stay on track and have everything completed for college.

September
____ If you have not held any leadership position while in high school, now is the time to step up and assume leadership of one of those organizations.
____ Review college materials, college guidebooks, and other resources to narrow your college list.
____ Begin to finalize list of colleges with your family and guidance counselor.
____ Consider visits, overnight stays, and interviews at your top college choices. Visit (personally or virtually) any colleges you have not already seen.
____ Register for one last shot at the SAT or ACT if you haven't taken one of them yet -- or if you aren't happy with earlier scores. And be sure to take the SAT II tests, if required.
____ Begin thinking about teachers who would be willing to write strong letters of recommendation on your behalf.
____ Begin brainstorming ideas for your college essays.
____ Request (or download from college's website) any applications that you do not have. Be sure to review each college's application requirements carefully.
____ Attend college fairs for one final review of college choices.
____ Be sure your senior year mix of classes still includes challenging, college-prep courses.
____ Stay focused on grades.

October
____ Finalize list of college choices to reasonable number, ideally with one or more "stretch" schools and one "safety" school.
____ Create a file for each of your college choices -- and keep all materials organized.
____ Consider creating a master schedule of all your application deadlines.
____ Begin working on drafts of your college essays.
____ Start working on college applications.
____ If you have a clear "first choice" college, consider applying for early decision.
____ Have standardized testing service send your scores to your list of colleges.
____ Stay focused on grades.

November
____ Finalize drafts of your college essays, but only after numerous edits, rewrites and reviews by people you trust (family, friends and teachers).
____ Complete college applications and put packets in the mail.
____ Be sure your guidance counselor knows your final list of colleges, as well as your preferences.
____ Request key financial aid and scholarship information from you list of colleges.
____ Stay focused on grades.

December
____ If not completed, finish and mail remainder of college applications.
____ Start detailed financial aid search, including outside sources for scholarships and loans.
____ Stay focused on grades.

January
____ If applying for financial aid, get started by obtaining a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
____ Stay focused on grades.

February
____ Complete the FAFSA, if possible. (You'll need your family's guardian's tax records.)
____ Keep track of your college applications; be sure all schools have received all your materials.
____ Stay focused on grades.

March
____ College decision letters begin arriving.
____ Celebrate your acceptances, decide about your wait lists and deal positively with your rejections.
____ Finalize financial aid applications.
____ Continue searching and applying for scholarships and grants.
____ Stay focused on grades.

April
____ Make decision about college choice from among the colleges that accepted you.
____ Notify all colleges (that accepted you) of your final decision.
____ Submit tuition deposit to your college of choice.
____ Continue searching and applying for scholarships and grants.
____ Stay focused on grades.

May
____ Be sure to submit paperwork for room and board.
____ Continue searching and applying for scholarships and grants.
____ Stay focused on grades.

June
____ Celebrate your high school success!
____ Send thank you notes (if you haven't already) to everyone who helped you this year.
____ Start planning for college.
____ Closely watch college's summer deadlines (orientations, housing options, registration, etc.).