College Counseling Timeline
Sophomore Year
- Work hard in school. Position self for challenging junior year classes.
- Take the PSAT.
- Take admission tours at local colleges to get a sense of different options (size, setting, location, liberal arts/comprehensive, public/private, etc.)
- Access to Naviance is provided.
- Explore majors and careers on Naviance, ACT and College Board websites.
- Plan for summer: Junior Project, volunteer work, internships, jobs, camps, academic programs, etc.
- Consult TeenLife for suggestions.
- Prepare for standardized tests. Read extensively, use the free, online Khan Academy. Consider tutors or test prep classes.
Junior Year
October
- PSAT/NMSQT (required)
- Family Weekend College Counseling Preview
December/January
- Return of PSATs and explanation of results
- Complete Junior Questionnaire in Family Connection
- Register for optional SAT prep course at Walker’s
- Look into summer programs
- Take free practice ACT at Walker’s
- SAT at Walker’s
- Junior Parent Program and individual meetings for parents
February
- Start Junior College Seminar
- Define college and personal criteria and build college list
- Compile list of colleges to visit during Spring Break
March
- Spring Break – Visit colleges
- Organize summer plans (work, internship programs, volunteer activities)
April
- Prepare list of colleges to meet with during HAISSCCA (Hartford Area Independent School College Counselor Association) College Fair
- Attend HAISCCA College Fair (required for all juniors)
- Work on college essay
- Meet with advisor and teachers about senior course selection
- ACT (various locations - transportation provided)
May
- Before the end of the semester, ask two teachers if they will write you a college recommendation letter, and give them the Teacher Recommendation Prompt form
- SAT at Walker’s
June/July/August
- SAT at Walker’s
- ACT (various locations - transportation provided)
- Research and visit colleges
- Work on applications, including essay
- Narrow down college list
Senior Year
September
- Start senior college counseling seminar
- Meet with college counselors to review final college list
- Visit colleges and interview
- ACT at various locations (transportation provided)
- Meet with college admissions representatives at Walker’s
- Put finishing touches on essay and supplements
October
- Complete "My Colleges" (Colleges That I’m Thinking About) on Naviance and verify application list with College Counseling Office
- SAT at Walker’s
- Send test scores to colleges that require them: SAT (www.collegeboard.org); ACT (www.actstudent.org)
- Complete applications
- If applying for college financial aid, fill out and submit required forms (FAFSA for all colleges and the CSS Profile for some; check college website for deadlines)
- Confirm teacher recommendation writers
- Meet with college admissions representatives at Walker’s
- Visit colleges, especially during fall break
- Appointments available for parents to meet with college counselors during Family Weekend
- Early decision (ED)/early action (EA) applicants file applications and necessary financial aid materials
November/December
- Submit applications!
- Visit colleges during early part of Thanksgiving break
- Some ED and EA notifications. If accepted ED, withdraw all other applications
- Work hard and keep grades up!
January
- Attend Alumnae College Panel at Walker’s (required)
- Submit remaining applications
- Investigate and apply for local scholarships - see Naviance for list
February – April
- Await admission decisions
- Attend Accepted Students programs or arrange overnight visits
- Notify College Counseling Office of all decisions
May
- Respond to the one college you wish to attend by May 1 (regular and EA decision) with deposit. Notify others that you won’t be attending
June – August
- Fill out and return all matriculation-related paperwork for colleges
- Pack… and keep in touch!
- GRADUATION!
January
- Attend Alumnae Dessert Reception at Walker’s - as a panelist!