College Planning Timeline

  • A month by month guide from Sophomore through Senior year 
     
    This timeline gives you an outline of steps you should be taking starting in your sophomore year and progressing through the end of your senior year. Following this timeline should assist you in being as well prepared as possible for this important phase of your life.

     

    WELCOME TO YOUR SOPHOMORE YEAR!
     
    SEPTEMBER

     

    Participate in clubs, activities, sports, etc. Find out all the activities offered at the high school. If you are not involved, join an activity. If you have been involved, how about a leadership role?
     
    Get to know your counselor, so your counselor can get to know you.
     

    OCTOBER

    Attend College Night.
     

    JANUARY

    Prepare for semester exams!
     

    FEBRUARY/MARCH

    Course selection for next (junior) year begins. Choose challenging courses and ones that support your post-secondary plans. Review your cumulative GPA on your course selection sheet.

     
     

    MAY

    Take AP Exams.
     

    JUNE

    Study for Regents exams and other finals!
     
    Make plans for your summer vacation.
     
    Consider doing an INTERNSHIP. 


    WELCOME TO YOUR JUNIOR YEAR!

    SEPTEMBER

     
    Participate in clubs, activities, sports, etc. If you are not involved, join an activity. If you have been involved, how about a leadership role? 
     

    OCTOBER

    Take the PSAT.
     
    Attend College Night.
     
    Start building your list of potential colleges.
     
    Spend time with College Admissions Representatives visiting Oriskany.
     

    NOVEMBER

    Spend time with College Admissions Representatives visiting Oriskany.
     
     
    Continue working on colleges. 
     

    DECEMBER

    Once you receive your PSAT scores in the mail, stop in the Counseling Office to get your test booklet and review your results.
     
    Consider when you will take the SAT next semester (January? March? May? June?).
     

    JANUARY

    Prepare for Regents/Final exams! (if necessary or applicable!)
     
    Take the SAT if you registered.
     
    Start working on the Student Activity Packet for your counselors.
     

    FEBRUARY/MARCH

    Register for the March SAT.
     
    Visit colleges during your winter break.
     
    Course selection for next (senior) year begins. Choose challenging courses and ones that support your post-secondary plans. Review your cumulative GPA on your course selection sheet.
     
    Narrow your list of colleges.
     
    Take the SAT if you registered.
     
     
    Register for the SAT for May/June and the ACT for June.
     
    Attend National College Fair in Syracuse (some years it is held in April).
     

    APRIL

    Visit colleges during your spring break.
     
    Register for the SAT in June.
     
    Meet with your counselor for your Junior Review Appointment.
     

    MAY

    Take AP exams.
     
    Take the SAT if you registered.
     

    Stuck in your college search? Consult with your counselor!

    JUNE

    Take SAT and or ACT if you registered.
     
    Study for Regents exams and other finals!
     
    Consider doing an INTERNSHIP.
     
    Congratulations, you're a senior! 
     
    WELCOME TO YOUR SENIOR YEAR! 


    SUMMER

    Continue to visit colleges, request application materials and narrow your list.
     
    Update your list of colleges. "COLLEGES I'M THINKING ABOUT" 
     
    Make sure your senior year course load is substance and not fluff! If you need to make changes, do so early.
     
    Register online for October SAT or the September ACT.
     
    Get ready for your senior year!
     

    SEPTEMBER

    Finalize your list of colleges.
     
    Register for October SAT and/or ACT.
     
    Find out if you will need letters of recommendation from teachers.
     
    Decide which teachers you will ask.
     
    Are you applying for Early Decision? Some deadlines are as early as October.
     
    If you are planning on playing a Division I or II sport at college, make sure you have filed a NCAA form.
     
    Continue working on your activity sheet and the student evaluation sheet your counselor has requested for your college application.
     
    Review your transcript that your counselor has provided you.
     
    Meet with your counselor for your Senior Review.
     

    OCTOBER

    Retake the SAT and/or ACT.
     
    Register for November SAT.
     
    Ask teachers for letters of recommendation.
     
    Continue to visit colleges that you are considering.
     
    Any Early Decision applications should be completed.
     
    Work on Senior Information Packet.
     
    Keep up with course work; colleges often ask to see first marking period grades.
     
    Log on to www.federalstudentaid.ed.gov/ for information on filing the FAFSA.
     
    Make sure you know what financial aid forms your college requires. Some require the CSS in addition to the FAFSA. 
     
    FAFSA forms may be filed after October 1. 
     

    NOVEMBER

    Take SAT.
     
    Register for December SAT. (Keep in mind that this is the last test administration that colleges generally use for admissions purposes).
     
    Turn in Senior Information Packet.
     
    Make sure you have spoken to teachers about letters of recommendation.
     
    Colleges may ask for first marking period grades. How are yours?
     
    Check application deadlines. Do you have any with December 1 deadlines? If so, turn in the counselor portion of applications by early November.
     

    DECEMBER

    Communicate with counselors about college applications with a January 1-10 deadline, by early December.
     
    Notify the Counseling Office if you have been accepted to a college.
     

    JANUARY

    Finish college applications.
     
    Study for Regents/Final exams, and do your best in your courses.
     

    FEBRUARY

    Mid-year grade reports are sent to colleges. We do not need the mid-year page included in your application materials. You must let your counselor know which colleges require mid-year grades.
     
    Notify the Counseling Office of your college acceptances.
     
    There is still time to visit your final list of colleges.
     

    MARCH

    Keep studying! Colleges will ask for a final transcript.
     

    APRIL

    Make any last minute visits to colleges you are considering.
     
    Time to decide where you will go to college next year. You must notify the college you wish to attend by May 1!
     
    Keep up with your coursework!
     

    MAY

    Notify the college that you will be attending.
     
    Also notify any other college that accepted you, that you will not be attending.
     
    Keep up with your coursework!
     
    Notify the Counseling Office where you will be attending college so we know where to send your final transcript.
     

    JUNE

    Study for exams!
     
    Graduation! Congratulations!
     

    JULY

    The Counseling Office will send your final transcript to the college you told us in May that you plan on attending.
     
    If you took any college Dual-Enrollment Classes, you must contact the college directly and request a transcript to be sent to the college you will be attending.
     
    GOOD LUCK IN COLLEGE!