Post-Secondary Planning

Guidance Counselors and students meet multiple times during students’ junior and senior years to develop post-secondary plans and review the application process.  Listed below is an overview of college-related benchmarks during junior and senior year.

  1. Junior Year
    September

    Focus on Academics:  During the course of this year, students should focus on taking the most challenging classes possible and achieving best possible grades in those classes.

    Get Involved: Join a club, try out for a sports team, volunteer, get a job, take on a new hobby, etc…  Colleges want to admit students who keep exploring new interests, cultivate existing interests, and gain new experiences.

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    October

    PSAT Exam: It is recommended that all college-bound students take the PSAT exam.  The exam can provide an overview of the SAT exam in a less stressful environment. The PSAT is also the National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT). The National Merit Corporation recognizes the top scoring students in the nation with college scholarships. Students will be notified of the test date and registration process in homeroom.  Registration is done through the Guidance Office, room 311.

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    February

    Junior Parent Night: Introduction to post-secondary planning for parents.

    Junior Guidance Seminars: Students will meet with their counselors in a group setting to learn about the college application process. The seminars include information regarding Naviance, post-secondary planning, standardized testing, resume writing, college forms, and teacher recommendations.

    ACT Exam: For more information, please visit the ACT Website.

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    March

    SAT Exam: For more information, please visit the College Board Website.

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    April

    Individual College Meetings: Students meet with their counselors to begin the post-secondary planning process.

    College Visits: Students should take the time during April Vacation to go visit colleges they have been researching for the last few months. A college visit may be set up by calling the college admissions office directly and setting up an official visit and tour.

    ACT Exam: For more information, please visit the ACT Website.

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    May

    SAT Exam: For more information, please visit the College Board Website.

    AP Exams: Advanced Placement Exams are offered in the beginning of May. Please visit the AP College Board Website, or consult your teacher for more information.

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    June

    Teacher Recommendations: Students should start asking teachers for college recommendations. Typically, colleges ask for two teacher recommendations, one from a Humanities class, and one from a Math/Science class. Teachers will expect specific information from students in September (i.e. college list, envelopes).

    SAT Exam: For more information, please visit the College Board Website.

    ACT Exam: For more information, please visit the ACT Website.

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    Summer

    Make Plans for the Summer: While Summer is a time to relax from school, it’s also a great time to stay busy with activities such as jobs, summer camp, internships, volunteering, etc…  Colleges prefer that students keep exploring new interests, cultivate existing interests, and gain new experiences.

    College Visits: Students should take the time to go visit colleges they have been researching for the last few months.  A college visit may be set up by calling the college admissions office directly and setting up an official visit and tour.

    College Essay:  Students should start working on the first draft of their college essay.  The essay questions tend to be similar from year to year.  However, most college applications for the following school year will become available in late August/early September.

  2. Senior Year
    September

    Focus on Academics:  During the course of this year, students should focus on taking the most challenging classes possible and achieving best possible grades in those classes.

    Get Involved:  Although it’s senior year, it’s not too late to join a club, try out for a sports team, volunteer, get a job, take on a new hobby, etc…  Colleges want to admit students who keep exploring new interests, cultivate existing interests, and gain new experiences.

    College list: Depending on where they are in the college process, students should either start compiling their college list, or continue to edit their college list. For more information on developing a college list, please see the College List section of this website.

    Teacher Recommendations: If they haven’t done so already, students should start asking teachers for college recommendations.  Typically, colleges ask for two teacher recommendations, one from a Humanities class, and one from a Math/Science class.

    Preparing College Applications: Students who wish to apply early, October, November, and December deadlines, should start filling out their applications.

    October Deadline Materials Due to Teachers and Guidance Counselor: Teacher and Guidance Counselor materials are due a MONTH before your first deadline. Please see the senior checklist for more details.

    ACT Exam: For more information, please visit the ACT Website.

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    October

    Senior Guidance Seminars: Students will meet with their counselors in a group setting to learn about specific steps of the college application process.

    November Deadline Materials Due to Teachers and Guidance Counselor: Teacher and Guidance Counselor materials are due a MONTH before your first deadline. Please see the senior checklist for more details.

    College Applications Due: October 15th deadlines.

    Preparing College Applications: Students who wish to apply early, November and December deadlines, should start filling out their applications.

    SAT Exam: ALL SENIORS ARE REQUIRED TO TAKE THE SAT AS SLAS. 

    ACT Exam: For more information, please visit the ACT Website.

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    November

    December Deadline Materials Due to Teachers and Guidance Counselor: Teacher and Guidance Counselor materials are due a MONTH before your first deadline. Please see the senior checklist for more details.

    College Applications Due: November 1st and 15th deadlines.

    SAT Exam: For more information, please visit the College Board Website.

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    December

    January Deadline Materials Due to Teachers and Guidance Counselor: Teacher and Guidance Counselor materials are due a MONTH before your first deadline. Please see the senior checklist for more details.

    College Applications Due: December 1st and 15th deadlines.

    Preparing College Applications: Students who wish to apply for January and rolling deadlines, should start filling out their applications.

    SAT Exam: For more information, please visit the College Board Website.

    ACT Exam: For more information, please visit the ACT Website.

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    January

    College Applications Due: January 1st and15th deadlines.

    SAT Exam: For more information, please visit the College Board Website.

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    April

    College Decisions Arrive: All college decisions should arrive by April 15th

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    May

    Send Initial College Deposit: Most schools ask that students inform them if they plan on attending their college in the Fall.  The college will most likely ask the student to fill out a form and send a check with the initial non-refundable deposit.

    AP Exams: Advanced Placement Exams are offered in the beginning of May. Please visit the AP College Board Website, or consult your teacher for more information.

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    June

    Prepare for Graduation: Return student checklist and check transcripts.

    Document Pick Up: Documents can be picked up the day after the graduation ceremony. 1 transcript, 1 certificate of graduation, and 1 diploma will be provided. Additional documents need to be ordered with the registrar.

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