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THIS IS NOT THE ONLY WAY TO GO ABOUT THIS PROCESS, BUT CAN BE USED AS A GUIDELINE.

you should find the year and the college process to be relatively relaxed and productive.

September	Settle into new classes REMEMBER! THIS IS YOUR LAST FULL ACADEMIC YEAR FOR COLLEGES TO SEE YOUR PROGRESS! WORK TO THE BEST OF YOUR ABILITY, SET GOALS, and DON'T GIVE UP!!! Begin preparation for the PSAT/NMSQT
October	Take the PSAT/NMSQT
November	Begin thinking about possible career paths you are interested in and those that you wouldn't consider Think about the type of college that you'd like to attend (small, medium, large, rural, suburban, urban, etc.) Begin researching colleges that you are interested in (look for size, location, academic programs, cost, average SAT scores, average GPA, etc.)
December	Receive PSAT scores Register with MY ROAD from College board Use MY ROAD to help assist with college search, career search, etc. Continue Researching Colleges (look for requirements: SATs? SAT IIs? ACTs?)
January	Develop a preliminary list of colleges that you are interested in* (Consider academic programs of interest) Explore options and begin preparing for the SAT/ACT: -Purchase prep books -Prep Courses (e.g. Princeton Review) -Private Tutor
February	Register w/ Naviance Try to visit top choice college over February Break (Visit College Websites and schedule appointments for tours/information sessions) Continue Preparation for SATs/ACTs Start narrowing down career options/academic programs
March	Register for April SATs** Continue Preparation for SATs/ACTs Begin narrowing down your list of colleges to about 10 Begin to decide on career options/academic programs (This helps to narrow down your list)
April	Take SATs -or- Register for May SATs Continue preparing for SATs Continue narrowing down your college list [Rate your list of 10 from 1 (top choice) to 10 (last choice)]
May	Take SATs -or- Register for June SATs Continue preparing for SATs Begin visiting colleges in your top 5
June	Take SATs -or- SAT IIs (Subject Tests) Formulate Final List of Colleges that you want to apply to Begin visiting other colleges Begin a summer job or summer enrichment program--but do SOMETHING!
July	Continue summer activities Continue Visiting Colleges
August	Register for September SATs Continue Visiting Colleges
September (Senior Year)	Take SATs or SAT IIs Visit remaining colleges on your list (By this point you should have visited most of the schools that you are highly interested in applying to...don't wait to the last minute to visit a college)

* Number of Colleges to Apply to: 5-10 schools

(2 Reach Schools, 3 Target Schools, 2 Possible Safety Schools)

(See College Vocabulary)

** Students should really only take the SATs Twice.

Once during Junior year and once again in the beginning of Senior Year. If the colleges that you are interested in are requiring SAT II's, you should take the SATs earlier (April or May) and then take the SAT Subject Tests in June or November of Senior Year

[SAT Subject Tests focus on particular areas of certain subjects. Colleges that require SAT Subject Tests may require one or more tests and may specify which areas they should be in or may leave the option open to the student. You must do your research because every college is different]