4-Year Planner


		4-Year College Planner

	9th Grade College Planning

When	What
During the year	Decide what courses to take throughout high school. Create a challenging but balanced course schedule that goes beyond the minimum college-prep requirements.
	Work on getting good grades from the day you start high school
	Get involved in co-curricular activities.
	Start discussing your college plans with your parents. It's not too early to discuss financing your college education.


	10th Grade College Planning

When	What
During the year	Begin working toward a leadership position in your co-curricular activities; or do something innovative, like organizing a new club or special project.
	Sign up for AP tests in September if applicable.
	Take the PLAN test in October in English class. All sophomores have been pre-registered. Your PLAN scores will give you an initial indication of how well you might do on the ACT admission exam during your junior year.
	Keep your grades up - aim for all A's and high B's.
	Plan worthwhile summer activities. Visit a college campus on your family vacation.
	It's not too early to start thinking about where you might want to go to college!

11th Grade College Planning

When	What
Sep	Continue to maintain your grades.
	Begin thinking about career goals and college majors
	Prepare for the PSAT
	Sign up for AP tests if applicable
	Start thinking about who you will ask to write recommendations for you.
	If you intend to seek an athletic scholarship, start contacting coaches at the schools that most interest you.
Oct	Take the PSAT in English class. All juniors take the PSAT in the fall of their junior year to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition
	Focus on co-curriculars; become a leader and make a significant contribution to the Meridian community.
Nov	Begin developing your preliminary college list.
	Check SAT and ACT testing and registration deadlines. Register for the March, May or June test.
Dec	Evaluate your PSAT scores to determine which areas need further study.
	Register for the spring SAT and/or ACT.
Jan - Feb	Begin preparing for the SAT and/or ACT.
	Send for information about the colleges on your preliminary list. Most colleges allow you to request initial information through their web page.
	Begin researching scholarship opportunities.
	Begin planning for your spring break college visits.
Mar	Begin preparing for any AP exams that you intend to take in May
	Finalize your list of top-six schools.
Apr	Begin visiting colleges on your top-six list.
	Plan worthwhile summer activities.
May	Prepare for the AP exams for courses that you completed this year
June	Take the ACT (if you didn't take it in April.)
Summer	Find a job or internship, do community service work, missions, take a university course or summer program.
	Continue to make college visits.
	Finalize the list of colleges that you want to apply to and request applications from them. Research early decision and early action options (colleges offer different opportunities.)
	Start working on your essay topics and draft versions.
	Start researching scholarship opportunities.


	12th Grade College Planning

When	What
Sep	Review and print electronic applications for each of your prospective schools.
	Review your college plans. Your “top six” list should be finalized by now.
	Register for the SAT/ACT if you need to retake it. Make sure your scores are sent directly to each of the colleges to which you are applying.
	Begin requesting teacher recommendations. All requests should be made by the end of September.
	Request that your transcript is sent to all schools where you are applying. Check for accuracy.
	Work hard to strengthen your grade trend.
Oct	Retake the SAT or ACT if necessary.
	If you decide to apply to a school under its Early Action or Early Decision plan, send in your application, transcript, test scores and letters of recommendation as soon as possible.
Nov	Most Early Decision or Early Action applications are be due this month
	Obtain the Federal Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) and begin filling it out. (This form cannot be filed until January 1.) Online forms are available at www.FAFSA.ed.gov
Dec	Early decision and early action responses start coming in.
	Submit applications to colleges under the regular decision plan by early December or at least two weeks prior to the published application deadline.
Jan	Mail in the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible (you can't submit it before Jan.1).
	Concentrate on applying for outside scholarships while you wait to hear from your prospective colleges.
Feb	Contact each of the colleges to which you have applied to confirm that all parts of your application packet have been received and are complete.
	Review the Student Aid Report (SAR) and correct any errors.
	Submit the SAR to any colleges where you have applied.
Mar	Begin preparing for any AP exams that you plan to take.
Apr	College acceptances and financial aid decisions start to arrive; review all packages thoroughly.
	Contact financial aid officers with additional questions.
	Visit the campuses of the schools that accepted you if your having difficulty making up your mind.
	Decide where you are going to go (last date to make up your mind is May 1) and submit your tuition deposit.
	Notify the colleges that you didn't choose.
May	Take any remaining AP exams
	Follow up with the housing and financial aid offices at the college of your choice.
	Send thank you notes to teachers and advisers who wrote recommendations for you.
	Give your parents a big hug!!!!
	Create a college budget (after the big hug).
Summer	Attend new student freshman orientation and celebrate your accomplishments