Four Year College Counseling Calendar

Ninth Grade
Tenth Grade
Eleventh Grade
Twelfth Grade

Ninth Grade

• Concentrate on doing well in school, taking courses that interest and challenge you.
• Explore outside of class interests: clubs, sports, community service, part-time jobs, visuals arts, performing arts, etc.
• Start a folder of accomplishments (grade reports, awards, prizes, team memberships, leadership positions, jobs). Maintain this folder throughout upper school. It is invaluable when preparing a resume.
• Consult the College Counselors with any questions you may have.
• Take SAT Subject Test in Biology if recommended.

Tenth Grade

• Continue to take courses which challenge you.
• Continue to explore outside of class interests with an eye towards leadership roles.
• October 15, 2008
  Take the PSAT/NMSQT during first and second periods. All sophomores are automatically registered for the exam. Results arrive at school during December and will be mailed home.
• January 29, 2009
  The Class of 2011 and parents are invited to attend the Junior Class College Night – “Admissions: An Insider’s View” to obtain a preview of the college counseling process. This is an optional program.
• Consider summer visits to look at college campuses: Check out different types of colleges - Being in the DC metro area makes it easy to do. Consult with the College Counselor for suggestions.
• Do something interesting during the summer. There is a lot to do in addition to enrichment courses. Part-time jobs, community service, a summer program at a local college are just a few options.
• Continue updating your "résumé" folder.
• Take SAT Subject Test in Chemistry if recommended.

Eleventh Grade

August:

• Begin a file for admissions materials from colleges.
• Fill in the dates for PSAT, SAT I, ACT, and SAT Subject Test exams on your personal calendars. These test dates appear on the school’s master calendar and on the College Counseling web site.
• These test dates appear on the school?s master calendar and on the College Counseling web site.
• Bookmark www.collegeboard.com on your favorites list.

September-December:

• Concentrate on your schoolwork and your activities. There is plenty of time to think about college after first trimester.
• October 15, 2008
  Take the PSAT/NMSQT during first and second periods. All Juniors are automatically registered for the exam. Results arrive at school during December and will be mailed home.
Parents of Class of 2011 attend the "College Counseling Coffee" to preview the college search and application process.

January-February:

• January 29, 2009
  Attend “Admissions: An Insider’s View.” While attendance is optional, juniors and parents are encouraged to attend.
• Complete the Student and Parent Questionnaires that will be sent home with your PSAT scores.
• Schedule an introductory meeting with the College Counselors.
• Attend the meeting with the College Counselors. You must submit the completed Student and Parent Questionnaires before the meeting can be scheduled.
• If you plan to take the SAT I exams in March, May, or June, begin preparations now. Feel free to consult with the College Counselors about prep programs.
• Register for SAT I and SAT Subject Test exams as appropriate. All SAT and ACT deadlines are published in the Daytimer.
• Continue updating your "résumé" folder.

March-May:

• Begin researching the list of colleges provided by the College Counseling Office.
• Attend Junior Class Meetings about the college search, selection, and admissions process.
• If time and plans allow, schedule three - five college visits during spring break.
• April 22, 2009
  Attend Junior Class College Day.
• April 22, 2009
  Attend the Wahington Area Independent School College Fair at George Washington University
• Think about summer options.
• Register for and take at least one SAT I or the ACT exam.
• Register for and take SAT Subject Test exams as appropriate (this will vary with each student and is part of the discussion with the College Counselors at the student/family meeting).
• Continue researching colleges – before May 30, meet with a College Counselor to review your progress and findings – a second list of colleges to investigate often follows this meeting.
• Take AP exams in May, if appropriate.

June:

• Register for and take SAT or SAT Subject Test exams as appropriate. Discuss this with your College Counselor.
• Register for and take ACT exam if indicated.

Summer:

• Continue college visits, having interviews whenever possible. Keep accurate notes.
• Narrow choices to about 15 colleges, including colleges in each category ("Reach", "Match", and "Likely").
• Create your résumé using collected information in your résumé folder. Forward a copy to your college counselor.
• Begin to write college essays and work on applications

Twelfth Grade

All Year: Keep your grades up! Remember, first trimester grades will be sent to all colleges to which you are applying. Final grades will be forwarded to the school you decide to attend.

August-September:

• September 8, 2008
  Attend the Class of 2009 College Night for Seniors and Parents
• By the end of September, meet with your college counselor to review progress, begin to finalize your college list, decide on teacher references.
• Request teacher references; give materials to teachers at least 30 days in advance.
• Attend Regional College receptions held by colleges that interest you.
• Register and take SAT I in October or November if indicated.
• Register and take ACT in September or October if indicated.
• Register and take SAT Subject Tests in October, November, and/or December if indicated.
• Choose essay topic(s) based on your college list and prepare essays.
• If Financial Aid is a concern, inform your College Counselor to receive information.
• File CSS PROFILE where needed for Financial Aid consideration.

BY SEPTEMBER 15 Decide which teachers you will ask for recommendations and discuss your request with them. It is the student's responsibility to have all materials the teachers need in the teachers' hands at least 30 days before the date the student's applications are due in the mail. See Part 13 of this handbook for procedures.

October-December:

• By October 3, make decisions about Early Decision (ED) and Early Action (EA) applications
• Release test scores for ED/EA colleges no later than October 1.
• Formally inform the College Counselors of your decision to apply ED/EA with due dates.
• Prepare ED/EA applications and continue to develop essay.
• Release test scores to your colleges to which you are applying regular decision. Allow 5 weeks for official scores to reach your colleges from ETS or ACT.
• Submit “rolling decision” applications no later than December 1.

Be aware of deadlines for submitting "Blue Sheets" to the College Counseling Office.

BY OCTOBER 3, 2008:
Submit a Blue Sheet and School Report form for any application due in November.

BY NOVEMBER 3, 2008:
Submit a Blue Sheet and School Report form for any application due in December and for any rolling admission applications. Please note: University of MD, College Park had a “priority deadline” of December 1. Applicants should meet this deadline to improve chances of admission.

BY NOVEMBER 17, 2008:
Submit a Blue Sheet and School Report form for any application due in January, February or March.

January - February:

• Continue doing well in all of your classes. Final grades will be sent to the college you decide to attend.
• February 15, 2009
  File the FAFSA form by this date if you are applying for financial aid.

March - April:

• College decisions arrive. Tell your College Counselor the results of your applications.

April:

• Visit colleges to which you have been admitted if you need to make a final decision.
• Send "no thank you" notes to the college to which you have been admitted, but have decided not to attend.
• Consider obtaining an additional recommendation letter if you are remaining on a waiting list. Please consult your college counselor for more information.
• Send a deposit to the college of your choice by the end of April. Your deposit should arrive in the college admissions office by May 1, 2009.

May:

• Sit for AP exams, if applicable.
• Some wait list decisions are made this month and others are made in June. Please inform the college counselors if you are admitted off of a wait list.
• Celebrate your decisions!

June:

• June 5, 2009 - Graduation
• Final Transcripts mailed by the end of the month.