Comprehensive Calendar for College Preparation
Eighth Grade:
Attend college prep informational meetings, including those done by Collegiate Learning (www.homeschoolcollegeprep.org, www.collegiatelearningcenter.com, or writeforcollege.org).
Research the following:
Ninth Grade:
Meet with your homeschool guidance counselor or attend a Collegiate Learning seminar/ workshop regarding enrollment in college preparatory classes that are offered. A full schedule should consist of at least 4 college prep classes per year. This should include:
Start thinking about what college your child may want to attend. Also begin listing the attributes of a future college that you believe are of importance to your child’s decision. This will help you tremendously as you sift through the multitudes of colleges and universities that exist. Once the list of prospective colleges has been narrowed, start visiting campuses. Additionally, online tours are often offered via the official website for each respective college.
Tenth Grade:
June/July:
Schedule an appointment to meet with a college advisor or take a homeschool college prep course. Be aware of the following:
August/September:
Update your College Planning File and continue to do so throughout the school year. If you have not created a College Planning File up to this point, work diligently to get your file completely up to date.
Consider the possibility of having your child join and/or participate in additional extracurricular activities, including any that may be particularly attractive to college admissions officers. Participation in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps that focus on music, arts, and science is also important to admissions officers.
October/November/December:
Make sure your child takes the PSAT in October. The scores will not count for National Merit Scholar consideration if taken in your child’s sophomore year, but it is valuable practice for when your child is required to take the PSAT in his/her junior year. During your junior year, these scores will serve as the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s scholarship programs. Additionally, it is best to consider getting as much preparation as possible ahead of the SAT Reasoning exam, also taken in your junior year. PSAT results are returned in December.
January/February/March/April/May:
Make sure to register for the SAT Subject Tests by April. Your child should consider taking the SAT Subject Tests for courses completed before June of his/ her sophomore year.
You should plan and research for the following:
Take the SAT Subject Tests in June.
College admissions officers will really focus on the grades your child will achieve during your upcoming junior year of high school. Your child should use the summer to develop healthy study habits, which should include:
Eleventh Grade:
August:
Obtain schedules and forms for the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, and AP exams upon commencement of the fall semester. Familiarize yourself with registration deadlines and test dates.
September:
Register for the PSAT exam to be offered in October. Since this is your child’ junior year. PSAT scores will now count towards the National Achievement Program. Moreover, it is vital practice for the SAT Reasoning Test.
October/November:
Take the PSAT.
Narrow your child’s list of colleges.
Begin scheduling interviews with admissions counselors at your prospective colleges. If possible, schedule tours of the school grounds to occur on the same day. This will give you a feel for the atmosphere on campus and it will help you to visualize your child as a student living on campus and attending classes there. It is imperative that you and your child feel comfortable at prospective colleges since you may be spending the next few years of your life at any one of them.
November/December:
Your child will receive your scores from the October PSAT. Expect your PSAT results approximately 4 to 8 weeks following the test day.
Review and analyze PSAT results. This process should help to identify strengths and the area most in need of improvement.
Should scores fall near or below the scores required at the colleges of your child’s choice, you may want to consider enrolling in an SAT or ACT preparatory course. See the suggestions on our website.
January:
Visit the campus tour option for selected colleges online. Also consider signing up for a live tour on campus, if feasible, to further narrow your search.
February:
February is your deadline to register for the March SAT Reasoning Test, the May SAT Subject Tests and/or April ACT test.
You will want to research which test or tests are needed in order to satisfy the requirements for the colleges of your choice.
Take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring to allow you time to retake the exams in the fall of your senior year should you find your first scores unsatisfactory. It is infinitely sensible to allow sufficient time to retake the exams because the highest score is used on the application without any averaging of the scores being performed. No penalties for doing this.
March:
Take the SAT Reasoning Test. This is your first and most opportune time to take the SAT Reasoning Test.
Sign up for the applicable AP exam(s) at this time. Be certain to take the exams that correspond with each AP class taken this school year. Scoring well can often earn you college credit. This college credit earned prior to setting foot on campus is of great significance, as this can allow you the opportunity to graduate early, skip mundane pre-requisites, begin higher level studies, as well as save you time and money.
April:
Take the ACT test. This is your first and most opportune time to take the ACT.
Discuss letters of recommendation with select coop teachers, coaches, youth workers or college professors (if you took college classes).
May:
This is your child’s second opportunity to take the SAT Reasoning Test and the first opportunity to take SAT Subject Tests relevant to the junior year courses.
Take AP exams relevant to the junior year AP courses.
June:
Add junior year report cards, test scores, honors, and awards to your file.
Visit prospective colleges.
June also offers another opportunity to take the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT test.
July/August:
Have your child prepare rough drafts of applications for each of the prospective schools.
Twelfth Grade:
September:
Request all high school transcripts from online schools, colleges and accredited schools.
Reevaluate your college selections, determining whether all choices still satisfy your particular personal wants, needs, and expectations. You may even want to make detailed lists of pros and cons in order to assist in this decision, adding and removing colleges as necessary.
Verify that you possess all necessary materials required for submitting your applications to the colleges to which you want to apply.
Begin preparing all early decision and early action applications. Remember to check and double-check all applicable deadlines.
Print and distribute the required recommendation forms to the appropriate teachers, mentors, coaches or counselors.
Mail your official high school transcripts for each college to which you are applying.
October:
Create your finalized list of potential colleges. Maintain a file containing all deadlines and required admission items for each school to which you anticipate applying.
Take all standardized exams still needed to complete your pre-admission requirements; this includes the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT Test.
November:
Submit all remaining college applications. Keep in mind, excessive delay in your submissions could hinder or hurt your chances of acceptance to some colleges and universities.
Register for Advanced Placement (AP) exams for all AP courses you will be taking in your senior year. The AP tests will be administered in May.
Go to FAFSA.gov to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Replies regarding admission to early decision applicants usually arrive between December 1st and December 31st.
Ensure that your official test scores have been or are being sent to all appropriate colleges, if this has not yet been done.
Contact the colleges to which you are applying to schedule any remaining interviews required for admission.
January:
Verify that your parents have completed this year’s income tax forms in anticipation of the financial aid applications. Information contained on their yearly income tax forms is required on the FAFSA. However, if they have not completed their taxes, providing estimated figures would also be acceptable.
Contact the admissions office at each college to which you have applied to ensure that your information has been received. Also verify that your application file has been reviewed for completion and that each college has everything they need from you.
February:
If you completed the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR).
Contact the financial aid office at each college to which you have applied to ensure that your information has been received and to verify that each college has everything they need to complete your file.
March/April:
If your child has not yet to receive any admissions response from the college(s) to which you applied, contact each appropriate admissions office.
Evaluate all of your acceptance letters, financial aid options and scholarship offers. You will want to select the school the benefits you the most on an economic, personal, and academic level.
You may be required to pay a nonrefundable deposit for freshman tuition when you confirm enrollment with your final college selection. This will guarantee your place with the incoming freshman class.
May:
Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams for all AP subjects studied during your senior year of high school.
Decide which college you will be attending.
Have your finalized transcripts sent to the college you will be attending.
Contact your college to ascertain all deadlines and costs associated with tuition, room, and board. Also verify any additional fees required or necessitated by your enrollment.
July/August:
Get information on applying for federal student loans and private student loans Sign up for the summer orientation programs created for incoming freshman. While it would be helpful to attend many of the voluntary programs offered at the college, be certain to register for your mandatory freshman orientation.
Evaluate and consider obtaining student health insurance. Many family insurance programs have insufficient coverage for college students or fail to even provide coverage. Student health insurance is also a good option for all self-sustaining students.
Finally, look into applying for a student credit card or pre-paid student card in order to start building credit and to help you avoid carrying cash around campus.
Eighth Grade:
Attend college prep informational meetings, including those done by Collegiate Learning (www.homeschoolcollegeprep.org, www.collegiatelearningcenter.com, or writeforcollege.org).
Research the following:
- Attending a four-year college or university.
- Learn about courses you might enroll in beginning in Grade 9, including college preparatory classes offered by your homeschool group, learning cooperative, online college or community college.
- Research the value colleges and universities place on pre-college grades.
- Academic enrichment programs, such as computer, math, and drama courses, including summer and weekend programs available through your high school or a nearby college.
Ninth Grade:
Meet with your homeschool guidance counselor or attend a Collegiate Learning seminar/ workshop regarding enrollment in college preparatory classes that are offered. A full schedule should consist of at least 4 college prep classes per year. This should include:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of math (reaching the level of at least Algebra II or trigonometry)
- 2 years of a foreign language
- 2 years of natural science (e.g. biology, chemistry, etc.)
- 2 years of history/social studies
- 1 year of art
- 1 year of electives based firmly in the above-mentioned subjects
- Copies of all report cards from Grade 9 forward. Create a homeschool report card
- List of all awards and honors.
- Noteworthy research papers.
- Coop teacher letters of recommendation.
- List of school and community activities in which your child is or was involved, encompassing both paid and volunteer work, and descriptions of your child’s particular role in each.
Start thinking about what college your child may want to attend. Also begin listing the attributes of a future college that you believe are of importance to your child’s decision. This will help you tremendously as you sift through the multitudes of colleges and universities that exist. Once the list of prospective colleges has been narrowed, start visiting campuses. Additionally, online tours are often offered via the official website for each respective college.
Tenth Grade:
June/July:
Schedule an appointment to meet with a college advisor or take a homeschool college prep course. Be aware of the following:
- Map out your curriculum for this school year, as well as your final two years of high school in order that you shall satisfy the requirements needed to attend any college you may be interested in attending.
- Seek out information regarding Advanced Placement (AP) courses available at your particular high school, including:
- Courses offered.
- Eligibility pre-requisites for various AP classes.
- Enrollment procedures prior to your junior year.
- Demands and expectations of AP courses once begun.
August/September:
Update your College Planning File and continue to do so throughout the school year. If you have not created a College Planning File up to this point, work diligently to get your file completely up to date.
Consider the possibility of having your child join and/or participate in additional extracurricular activities, including any that may be particularly attractive to college admissions officers. Participation in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps that focus on music, arts, and science is also important to admissions officers.
October/November/December:
Make sure your child takes the PSAT in October. The scores will not count for National Merit Scholar consideration if taken in your child’s sophomore year, but it is valuable practice for when your child is required to take the PSAT in his/her junior year. During your junior year, these scores will serve as the qualifying exam for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation’s scholarship programs. Additionally, it is best to consider getting as much preparation as possible ahead of the SAT Reasoning exam, also taken in your junior year. PSAT results are returned in December.
January/February/March/April/May:
Make sure to register for the SAT Subject Tests by April. Your child should consider taking the SAT Subject Tests for courses completed before June of his/ her sophomore year.
You should plan and research for the following:
- Availability of and enrollment in Advanced Placement classes your junior year of high school.
- Testing schedules for the PSAT, SAT Reasoning Test and SAT Subject Test, ACT, and AP exams.
- Benefits to taking these various exams.
- Best exams to take with respect to your child’s college goals.
- Your child’s academic record and profile to date. This will help you determine what gaps or weaknesses exist.
- Various admission requirements for the college(s) of your choice, beyond GPA and test scores.
Take the SAT Subject Tests in June.
College admissions officers will really focus on the grades your child will achieve during your upcoming junior year of high school. Your child should use the summer to develop healthy study habits, which should include:
- At least two hours of homework every night.
- Frequent participation in study groups.
- Use of a computer to organize your activities.
Eleventh Grade:
August:
Obtain schedules and forms for the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, and AP exams upon commencement of the fall semester. Familiarize yourself with registration deadlines and test dates.
September:
Register for the PSAT exam to be offered in October. Since this is your child’ junior year. PSAT scores will now count towards the National Achievement Program. Moreover, it is vital practice for the SAT Reasoning Test.
October/November:
Take the PSAT.
Narrow your child’s list of colleges.
- Include a few colleges with requirements equal with your current GPA, a few with requirements above your current GPA, and at least one with requirements below your current GPA. (While you should never sell yourself short, it is always pragmatic to have a “safety school” in anticipation of previously unforeseen circumstances).
- Your list should contain approximately 8-12 schools that you are seriously considering.
Begin scheduling interviews with admissions counselors at your prospective colleges. If possible, schedule tours of the school grounds to occur on the same day. This will give you a feel for the atmosphere on campus and it will help you to visualize your child as a student living on campus and attending classes there. It is imperative that you and your child feel comfortable at prospective colleges since you may be spending the next few years of your life at any one of them.
November/December:
Your child will receive your scores from the October PSAT. Expect your PSAT results approximately 4 to 8 weeks following the test day.
Review and analyze PSAT results. This process should help to identify strengths and the area most in need of improvement.
Should scores fall near or below the scores required at the colleges of your child’s choice, you may want to consider enrolling in an SAT or ACT preparatory course. See the suggestions on our website.
January:
Visit the campus tour option for selected colleges online. Also consider signing up for a live tour on campus, if feasible, to further narrow your search.
February:
February is your deadline to register for the March SAT Reasoning Test, the May SAT Subject Tests and/or April ACT test.
You will want to research which test or tests are needed in order to satisfy the requirements for the colleges of your choice.
Take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring to allow you time to retake the exams in the fall of your senior year should you find your first scores unsatisfactory. It is infinitely sensible to allow sufficient time to retake the exams because the highest score is used on the application without any averaging of the scores being performed. No penalties for doing this.
March:
Take the SAT Reasoning Test. This is your first and most opportune time to take the SAT Reasoning Test.
Sign up for the applicable AP exam(s) at this time. Be certain to take the exams that correspond with each AP class taken this school year. Scoring well can often earn you college credit. This college credit earned prior to setting foot on campus is of great significance, as this can allow you the opportunity to graduate early, skip mundane pre-requisites, begin higher level studies, as well as save you time and money.
April:
Take the ACT test. This is your first and most opportune time to take the ACT.
Discuss letters of recommendation with select coop teachers, coaches, youth workers or college professors (if you took college classes).
- There are many helpful resources online with instructions and guidelines for letters of recommendation. See some of the publications and classes at www.Collegiatelearningcenter.com, www.writeforcollege.org or homeschoolcolleggeprep.org
- Do not be shy about indicating what information you would like included and how you would prefer to be presented in your letter. Use a sheet. See our CollegiateLearningCenter.com or Homeschoolcollegeprep.org websites for more information.
May:
This is your child’s second opportunity to take the SAT Reasoning Test and the first opportunity to take SAT Subject Tests relevant to the junior year courses.
Take AP exams relevant to the junior year AP courses.
June:
Add junior year report cards, test scores, honors, and awards to your file.
Visit prospective colleges.
- Call ahead for appointments with financial aid, admissions, and academic advisors at the college(s).
- During your visits, see what opportunities are offered to talk to professors, sit in on classes, and speak to students. This will allow your child to gather significant and accurate information about each college and its overall atmosphere.
- Many colleges have these preview program options for future students. Find out whether your prospective schools offer these programs and take advantage of them.
- Send thank you notes following any personal visits or interviews with professors, admissions officers, or college administrators. This will keep your child’s name fresh in their minds and assist in admission and other future collegiate endeavors.
June also offers another opportunity to take the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT test.
July/August:
Have your child prepare rough drafts of applications for each of the prospective schools.
- Focus primarily on the essay portions of the applications, making determinations with regard to content and theme. Keep in mind, the application essay may be the determining factor when a college representative is considering you for admission.
- Ask family, friends, and homeschool teachers to review your essays for grammar, punctuation, readability, and content criticism.
- While not be submitting applications at this time work on them These essays are demanding and time-consuming. It is best to plan ahead in order to avoid being overwhelmed come application-time.
- These programs generally require you to submit your applications between October and December of the senior year.
- You benefit by possibly receiving the college’s decision concerning your admission prior to January 1st, much earlier than those students applying by the general deadline.
- Your first-choice schools should most certainly receive your application as soon as possible in order to give yourself the highest probability for acceptance
- Make sure that each early decision program does not require you to attend that particular college should they accept you.
Twelfth Grade:
September:
Request all high school transcripts from online schools, colleges and accredited schools.
- Check the transcripts against the admissions requirements for the colleges of your choice, making sure you have all the necessary credits.
- Determine each college’s respective requirements with regard to official high school transcripts.
- Develop a transcript.
Reevaluate your college selections, determining whether all choices still satisfy your particular personal wants, needs, and expectations. You may even want to make detailed lists of pros and cons in order to assist in this decision, adding and removing colleges as necessary.
Verify that you possess all necessary materials required for submitting your applications to the colleges to which you want to apply.
Begin preparing all early decision and early action applications. Remember to check and double-check all applicable deadlines.
Print and distribute the required recommendation forms to the appropriate teachers, mentors, coaches or counselors.
- Include stamped, college-addressed, envelopes.
- Be certain to fill out your specified portion of each form, completely and accurately.
- It may also be helpful to follow up on your recommendation letters a few weeks later, just to make sure your recommenders have followed through.
Mail your official high school transcripts for each college to which you are applying.
October:
Create your finalized list of potential colleges. Maintain a file containing all deadlines and required admission items for each school to which you anticipate applying.
Take all standardized exams still needed to complete your pre-admission requirements; this includes the SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT Test.
- You should have all testing completed following these exams, as any later exam dates may begin to put you at risk for late-arriving applications.
- Arrange to have your official scores sent by the testing agency to the colleges/universities that have made your final list of schools.
- Register for the December or January SAT Reasoning and/or SAT Subject Test, if necessary.
November:
Submit all remaining college applications. Keep in mind, excessive delay in your submissions could hinder or hurt your chances of acceptance to some colleges and universities.
Register for Advanced Placement (AP) exams for all AP courses you will be taking in your senior year. The AP tests will be administered in May.
Go to FAFSA.gov to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
- The FAFSA is required by colleges in order to determine your eligibility for federal financial aid.
- Even if you are not planning on taking out student loans, you should complete the FAFSA because it will determine if you are eligible for free money options such as grants and scholarships. Visit www.scholarships.com, www.fastweb.com and Petersons.com for scholarship information.
- Contact the Financial Aid Office located at your selected colleges to determine if you need to complete additional financial aid forms.
- In order to be considered for financial aid, you will need to submit these forms to all of your potential colleges, even if you have not yet been notified of your acceptance.
Replies regarding admission to early decision applicants usually arrive between December 1st and December 31st.
Ensure that your official test scores have been or are being sent to all appropriate colleges, if this has not yet been done.
Contact the colleges to which you are applying to schedule any remaining interviews required for admission.
January:
Verify that your parents have completed this year’s income tax forms in anticipation of the financial aid applications. Information contained on their yearly income tax forms is required on the FAFSA. However, if they have not completed their taxes, providing estimated figures would also be acceptable.
Contact the admissions office at each college to which you have applied to ensure that your information has been received. Also verify that your application file has been reviewed for completion and that each college has everything they need from you.
February:
If you completed the FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR).
- If you applied online, you can receive your SAR by e-mail the next business day following your electronic submission.
- Should you find inaccuracies in the SAR, correct and return it to the FAFSA processor promptly. The report will contain instructions for submitting corrections.
Contact the financial aid office at each college to which you have applied to ensure that your information has been received and to verify that each college has everything they need to complete your file.
March/April:
If your child has not yet to receive any admissions response from the college(s) to which you applied, contact each appropriate admissions office.
Evaluate all of your acceptance letters, financial aid options and scholarship offers. You will want to select the school the benefits you the most on an economic, personal, and academic level.
You may be required to pay a nonrefundable deposit for freshman tuition when you confirm enrollment with your final college selection. This will guarantee your place with the incoming freshman class.
May:
Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams for all AP subjects studied during your senior year of high school.
Decide which college you will be attending.
- Notify the school by mailing your commitment deposit check by May 1st.
- Many schools require that your notification letter be postmarked by this date.
- Verify this vital deadline with each and every college to which you applied.
- Let them know that you are still very committed to attending their school.
- It may also be helpful to write a letter to the admissions officers at the college re-emphasizing your positive attributes and deep desire to enroll there.
Have your finalized transcripts sent to the college you will be attending.
Contact your college to ascertain all deadlines and costs associated with tuition, room, and board. Also verify any additional fees required or necessitated by your enrollment.
July/August:
Get information on applying for federal student loans and private student loans Sign up for the summer orientation programs created for incoming freshman. While it would be helpful to attend many of the voluntary programs offered at the college, be certain to register for your mandatory freshman orientation.
Evaluate and consider obtaining student health insurance. Many family insurance programs have insufficient coverage for college students or fail to even provide coverage. Student health insurance is also a good option for all self-sustaining students.
Finally, look into applying for a student credit card or pre-paid student card in order to start building credit and to help you avoid carrying cash around campus.
