TIMELINE FOR COLLEGE

Freshman

Begin your high school career strong! Give your best efforts in all of your classes. Freshman grades matter!
Focus on your core classes - math, English, science, social science and foreign language.
Get involved! Find some extracurricular activities that you are interested in and try them out.
Read everything you can find!
Plan your summer. Find a camp or activity that sounds fun or interesting.
Start a file to save awards, report cards, certificates and honors.
Challenge yourself by taking at least one advanced (Pre-AP or Honors) course

Continue to work hard in all your classes. If needed, set a goal to improve your grades.
Continued to be involved. If you are involved in several different activities, begin to narrow down and focus on the ones that interest you the most.
If struggling in a class, consider getting extra help.
Begin thinking about colleges. Read about different schools to see what interests you.
Visit nearby colleges, even if they are not on your list. This is a great way to do a test-run visit and get a feel for different sizes of colleges.
Continue to read, read and read.
Talk to your school counselor to play your next year's classes.
Plan your summer (consider getting a job, volunteer work, travel or doing other activity).

Continue to work hard in all your classes. Take advanced classes if possible.
Take the PSAT or PreACT in October
Take a 3rd year of the same foreign language (even if it's not required)
Determine your testing plan and register for the SAT or ACT
Consider test prep classes as needed
Continue to be involved in activities and seek out leadership roles
Research colleges, attend college fairs and create a preliminary college list
Explore possible major and careers
Plan some campus visits (perhaps over spring break)
Take SAT Subject exams as needed
Plan your summer (consider internship, jobs or college classes)
Begin brainstorming topics for your college essays (summer is a great time to start working on these)

Keep studying hard. Take AP or IB classes if available
Take a 4th year of the same foreign language
Finalize your list of colleges (determine an application plan that includes timing decisions)
Visit the rest of campuses on your list
Ask your teachers and counselors for recommendations
Take the SAT/SAT Subjects or ACT again as needed
Finish your college essays and applications
Apply for Financial Aid (FAFSA and/or CSS Profile) in January
Complete scholarship applications

During Spring months:

Celebrate your acceptance letters
Visit any colleges you are seriously considering (plan an overnight visit if possible)
Make your final decision and notify the colleges by May 1
Enjoy the rest of your senior year (but don't slack off!). You still need to send in final transcripts.