College Readiness Checklist

by Lynn Scully

Four year schedule checklist:

Do what you love - you will do your best. Do what you love. After all, practice makes perfect, and if you’re really good, you can keep on doing what you love your whole life. If you do not have a passion, try many different things. Time is on your side.

If you can’t find activities you enjoy particularly, do what your parents tell you - they are right - and, you need to have your skill set so when you find something you love, you have the ability to do it.

Freshman Year: Take the most rigorous courses you can. Try hard, get help when you need it.
Learn how to study. How much time do you need to study to ensure success?
Find out what you like, join clubs, take academic courses that interest you.

Sophomore year: Join clubs. Try new things. Work hard in your subjects-even those that don’t interest you. Read. Get involved.
September: Sign up at your area school for the October PSAT.
Be sure to get the free practice test booklet when you sign up.
Familiarize yourself with the test format. It may be that much of the math looks unfamiliar, especially if you are just beginning Geometry. Try your best so you can identify the areas in which you need work.
• October: Take the PSAT.

• December: Get your PSAT results and your test booklet from the guidance office of the school. Review your errors with a parent.

• January: Get a list of vocabulary that may be featured on the SAT-begin to review vocabulary for standardized tests. Use new vocabulary in writing assignments. Read the newspaper and discuss what you read with peers, parents, or anyone else who will listen. Find the calculator that is best for you and learn to use it well. Seek help on tough math topics -you will see them again! Sign up for SAT II subject tests if you will be finishing a class that you consider to be your strength. SAT II tests are given on the same dates as the SAT I. You can take SAT II and AP tests when you are ready, like after you finish the course material. Information: www.collegeboard.com

May: Consider next year’s curriculum. Choose challenging classes that highlight your interests. Be sure you take at least 2 (some more selective colleges are requiring 3) years of a language.
Check the web sites of any colleges you may even be considering to be sure you have their minimum requirements covered.

June: Review for and take any SAT II or AP tests you signed up for.

Summer: Begin your PSAT/SAT or ACT preparation. This is the best time to prepare at a relaxed pace, without the burden of school assignments. Come junior year, you will be glad you did! Expect to “brush up” your knowledge two weeks before taking any tests).

Take a summer job. Join a rescue squad, junior army corps, or any other volunteer organization that appeals to you. The summer is the best time to really focus on what you love.

If a vacation trip allows, tour a few college campuses. Your goal is to identify the type of area, campus, size, and location that may be appealing.

Junior year:
This is the year to do your best.
• September: Work hard! This year is the most important from a college admissions standpoint. Review for the PSAT. Look to fill leadership positions in clubs or on a team.

• October: Take the PSAT. Continue reviewing for the SAT or ACT.

• November: Try to fit in some college visits-most colleges are especially beautiful at this time of year. Continue SAT review. Draw up a list of colleges: Include safety schools, schools that seem like reasonable goals, and a few reach schools. Go on-line to college website, download application material. Attend college fairs.

• December: Get your PSAT results and your test booklet from the guidance office. Review the results with a parent or an advisor. Register for the January SAT; request Q & A: www.collegeboard.com. Register for ACT – consider the optional essay: www.actstudent.org

• January: Begin your SAT or ACT review in earnest . Parents: keep track of expenses, receipts, etc. this year. You want to have everything ready to do your taxes as soon as possible next January so you can get those financial aid forms in early-without the headaches
Take the SAT (score will be available on line in less than 2 weeks after your test date) Visit your local school guidance office to inquire about summer programs that may interest you. There are many opportunities. Many, such as volunteering, are free! There are great publications listing summer programs, too.

• February: Get the SAT results and review them-consider taking the test again. Register early to ensure getting into a test site close to home.
Go through your college material, eliminate or add as you make decisions Apply to summer programs.

• March: Take the SAT or ACT again, if necessary. Sign up for May or June SAT if you plan to test in those months. Sign up for SAT II if necessary. Visit some colleges if you have a spring break. Check ahead to see if there are any special events when you will be there-try to attend a school run function..

• April: Sign up for next years classes-be sure that you have the minimum criteria for any college you are considering. Study for AP and IB tests, if applicable.

• May: Take SAT I or SAT II or ACT. Take AP tests and IB tests.
Finalize summer plans-look for a job.

• June: Take SAT I or SAT II. Approach mentors, teachers, coaches to write recommendation letters, most will appreciate being asked early. Even if you haven’t chosen any schools, they may craft the letter early, so it is ready in the fall-then the writer may simply add a “Dear ____” line and send.

• Over the summer: Get the General Application: www.commonapp.org
Fill out as much as you can. Make a list with 3 headings:
Information you need to locate, Material to complete, Projects to begin.
Check on-line or call for applications and deadlines of colleges you are considering. As each application comes in, put it and all the information for that school in a folder. Organize the application folders in order of the application deadlines. Using the information from your common application, fill out as much of each application as possible. Make notes of what you still need. Another day, choose one or two of the essay topics and talk to a parent about what you plan to write. Write a rough draft together after discussing your ideas. Put it aside to re-read and edit at a later date. Edit your essay.
Visit colleges - sign the registration book! Work, try new experiences, volunteer. Read about your intended major, visit or apprentice with people already employed in your intended vocation. Get together any portfolio, tapes, or audition material you need. Call or visit coaches –fill out the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse form is you are going to play college sports (division I or II).

Senior Year

• September: Ask an adult to read and comment on your application essay: be specific-ask, “What did you like, what should I change?”
Give addressed, stamped envelopes to people writing your recommendations.
Politely check to ensure that they mail them. Complete early decision or early action applications. Register for SAT or ACT
Thank those who wrote recommendations and reviewed your essay

• October: Send in Early decision or early action applications (On-line is best) Take SAT I or ACT. Finalize choices. Visit colleges. Ask for scholarship information from your local guidance office and prospective colleges. Be sure to ask about locally sponsored scholarships.

• November: Finalize and send final applications- online is best.
Apply for a FAFSA pin number now: www.FAFSA.ed.gov

• December: Hear from colleges regarding early action or acceptance. Accept or reject, gracefully.

• January: Do taxes and Fill out FAFSA application as soon as possible. Applying on-line is best www.FAFSA.ed.gov

• February: Receive Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA and review. Complete scholarship applications.

• April: Receive rejections and acceptance letters

• May: Send acceptance and “thank you but no-thank you” letters. (Who knows? you may change your mind later- be gracious) Send a deposit to the college you plan to attend. If you are not accepted to a favorable college: Visit the NACAC web site to view colleges that are accepting late admission applications. Make an alternate plan: consider community or private college with plans to transfer. If you do any class work that you are especially proud of –save it. Compile an accomplishment folder to include in an admissions portfolio. Highlight what interests you most: Art, sports awards, performing arts recognition, academic accomplishments and exceptionally done assignments. Continue club and sports participation that you enjoy.

ENJOY THE SUMMER!

Lynn Scully is the author of GetItSat Independent Tutorial.
© 2004 Lynn Scully, LLC Please do not copy without
permission