College Admissions To Do List

Fall

• Meet with your coordinator to discuss your college plans. Review your schedule with them to make sure you're enrolled in challenging classes that will help you prepare for college.
• Colleges prefer four years of English, history, math, science, and a foreign language.
• Use College Search on Collegeboard.com to find out the required courses and tests of colleges that you might be interested in attending.
• Start a calendar with important dates and deadlines.
• Sign up for the PSAT.  Get free online PSAT practice at Collegeboard.com.
• Get involved with extracurricular activities.
• Go to college fairs in your area.

Winter

• Use your PSAT Score Report to prepare for the SAT (SAT prep = www.collegeboard.com/psatextra).
• Learn about college costs and how financial aid works.  Use the College Savings Calculator at Collegeboard.com to see how much money you'll need for college, whether you're on track to save enough, and what you need to do to reach your goal. Talk to your parents about financing college.
• Visit colleges while they're in session.
• Talk to your coordinator and teachers about taking SAT Subject Test in your strong subjects this spring. Take Subject Tests such as World History, Biology E/M, and Chemistry while the material is still fresh in your mind.
• Find out about college firsthand from college friends who are home for the holidays.

Spring

• Sign up for college preparatory courses.
• Look for a great summer opportunity -- job, internship, or volunteer position.
• Check with your coordinator and search online for summer school programs for high school students at colleges.
• Study for May AP Exams. Get free AP preparation at Collegeboard.com
• Go to college fairs in your area.

Summer

• Start a summer reading list. Ask your teachers to recommend books.
• Plan to visit college campuses to get a feel for your options. Start with colleges near you.
• Finalize your summer plans.