College Search Timeline

Senior Year-Class of 2008

September

      Reminders:

1)       Get off to a good start academically; colleges will look closely at your first semester grades

2)       Have a meeting with your counselor (during September, October) to review your transcript, test scores, and extracurricular activities, and to develop your list of colleges

3)       Start asking teachers, guidance counselor, employers and others for letters of recommendation to be included with your admission application.  Include any forms a college requires, along with a stamped, addressed envelope (and your thanks).

4)       Write, call or e-mail for viewbooks and applications from new colleges on your list

5)       Review each college’s deadlines and requirements

6)       Begin drafts of your college essay

7)       Arrange college visits and interviews

8)       Register for October 6 SAT or SAT Subject Tests; deadline: September 10

9)       Attend College Fair on Friday, September 14 – cafeteria 9:00 am-9:45 am.

10)   Register for October 27 ACT; deadline: September 21

11)   Register for November 3 SAT; deadline: October 2

12)   Meet with college representatives visiting OHS (during September, October and November)

13)   MEFA College Admissions in Auditorium 7-9 pm on September 27, 2007

October

Interim Reports – October 5

      Reminders:

1)       Register for December 1 SAT ; deadline: October 30

2)       Take SAT  on October 6

3)       Take ACT on October 27

4)       Continue working on your college essay and review with your counselor

5)       Do college visits and interviews

6)       Meet with college representatives visiting OHS (during September, October, and November)

7)       Begin filling out applications (be especially aware of deadlines if you are applying for early decision or early action). 

8)       Register for December 1 SAT; deadline October 30

9)       File College Scholarships Service Financial Aid Profile if required by your colleges

November

ASVAB, the military entrance exam for Grade 11 and Grade 12 – November 2, 8a.m.

Report Cards – November 7

Parent Conferences – November 9, 7 – 9p.m.

      Reminders:

1)       Attend OHS Financial Aid Night on November 15, 7-9pm in auditorium.

2)       Take SAT on November 3

3)       Register for December 8 ACT; deadline: November 2

4)       Submit transcript request forms to guidance office two weeks ahead of college application deadlines

5)       Complete your college essay

6)       Complete your early decision or early action application(s) and review with your counselor

7)        Mail early decision or early action application (s)

December

Interim Reports – December 7

      Reminders:

1)       Take SAT on December 1

2)       Complete applications; review with your counselor

3)       Mail applications – no later than December 15^th.  Early is better than late, especially if the guidance office must send in forms on your behalf and the filing deadline is January 1^st.  It will take time for the guidance office to gather all the information it needs from you and others and not much can happen during the holiday season.

4)       Register for January 26 SAT; deadline December 26

5)       Take ACT on December 8

January

Report Cards – January 25

      Reminders:

1)       Complete your remaining applications and review with your counselor

2)       Mail applications

3)       File Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1^st as possible.  Estimate if you do not have the information from your tax returns.

4)       Take SAT on January 26

5)       Register for February 9 ACT; deadline: January 4

February

      Reminders:

1)       Check to make sure you have sent all necessary forms and applications to the colleges on your list

2)       Take ACT on February 9

March

Local Scholarship meetings (Grade 12)

      Reminders:

1)       Continue to explore and learn more about your colleges

2)       Decision letters begin to arrive

3)       Avoid “senioritis” and maintain your grades; colleges may withdraw admission to students whose grades drop!

4)       Register for AP exams

5)       Investigate and apply for local and private scholarships

April

Report Cards – April 11

College Fair (Grade 11) Date TBA

      Reminders:

1)       Decision letters arrive

2)       Review and compare your college responses and financial aid offers with your parents and counselor

3)       Visit colleges and attend Admitted Student Receptions

4)       Make final decision; notify college and send deposit by May 1^st

5)       Notify other colleges in writing that you will not be attending; only then can they offer your seat to another student

6)       Make sure you have received your FAFSA acknowledgement and Student Aid Report (SAR)

May

Mid-term Assessments – May 9

      Reminders:

1)       Take AP exams

2)       Make sure final transcripts are sent to the college you will attend

3)       Fill out college housing/dormitory forms

4)       Check Stafford Loan and other financial aid arrangements

June

      Reminders:

1)       Graduation- June 2007 (DAY TBA)

Summer

      Reminders:

1)       Verify college orientation schedule, residence hall assignment, course scheduling and registration.

2)       Contact your roommates to introduce yourself and discuss such things as who plans to bring what.