9th Grade
March
Sign up for SAT Biology Subject Test (for honors students)
June
Take SAT Biology Subject Test
10th Grade
December
Research summer activities (College? Volunteer? Paid work?)
January
Apply for summer programs
March
Sign up for SAT Subject tests (Bio or Chem for honors students)
June
Take SAT Subject tests
Summer After 10th Grade
Prepare for PSAT (honors students only)
11th Grade
September
Review list (in guidance dept. or online) for college representative visits at school
October
Take PSAT
Sign up for December ACT and/or December SAT
Attend College Fair
December
See your PSAT scores online (ask for your test booklet at Guidance Dept.)
Take December ACT and/or SAT
Explore colleges online; make preliminary list for early spring visits
Research summer activities (College? Volunteer? Paid work?)
February
Sign up for April ACT or May SAT
Schedule college visits for March – May
March
Begin college visits
Sign up for June SAT Subject Tests
Check Guidance Dept. or online for college representative visits at school
April
Take April ACT
Continue college visits
Attend College Fair
May
Take May SAT
Sign up for July ACT if necessary (take test in Connecticut or New Jersey, not in NY)
June
Take 2 SAT Subject tests
Ask 2 teachers for recommendations (to be completed in the early fall)
Sign up for August SAT if necessary
Summer After 11th Grade
July
Take SAT if registered
Write Common App college application essay
Sign up for September ACT if necessary
August
Take ACT if registered
Complete Common App essay and supplement essays
Prepare a resume
Sign up for October SAT or SAT Subject tests if necessary
Begin Common App
12th Grade
September
Review list (in guidance dept. or online) for college representative visits at school
Take ACT if registered
Finalize essays
Visit colleges
October
Attend College Fair
Complete Common App and all other applications
Complete FAFSA and CSS for college financial aid
Take SAT or SAT Subject tests if registered
Submit ALL college applications (especially early action or early decision application, but Submit ALL if possible)
November
Complete any remaining college applications
December – April
Receive responses from colleges
By May 1
Notify all of your college that you’ve accepted and send deposit