For most prospective college students, preparing for college is an ongoing process that begins during, or before, their junior year of high school. Keeping track of important dates can help you make sure you don't miss any vital deadlines.

Freshman and Sophomore Years

• Research job and career interests.
• Take challenging courses, and do your best in them.
• Participate in extra curricular activities.
• Volunteer in your community.
• Get a social security number, if you do not already have one.
• Evaluate your personality, interests, and skills.
• Start finding out what college will cost.
• Sign up to take the PSAT.

Junior Year
Fall Semester

• Review your courses with your high school counselor.
• Sign up to take the PSAT.
• Create files to keep copies of applications and correspondence. Set up a calendar to track important dates and deadlines.
• Attend college fairs and financial aid nights.
• Start searching for scholarships and ways to pay for college.
• Begin to understand the basics of state, federal, and private loans.

Spring Semester

• Identify characteristics you want in a college.
• Request information from colleges and universities that interest you.
• Take the SAT andlor ACT early.
• Select senior year classes-verify with your counselor to make sure that your courses meet the necessary college requirements.

Summer Vacation

• Review information from prospective schools. Highlight admission guidelines and important dates.
• Narrow down your college list to a reasonable number.
• Visit your preferred colleges and universities.
• Decide who you will ask to write letters of recommendation for you.
• Start working on your college application essays.

Senior Year
August-0ctober

• Start narrowing your choices. Note each school's application deadlines on your calendar.
• Request additional information and applications from the schools you want to attend.
• Attend college nights and fairs at your high school or other sites in the area.
• Request scholarship and financial aid applications from high school counselors or college representatives.
• Stay organized. Fie copies of applications and correspondence. Keep your calendar up-to-date tracking important dates and deadlines.
• Check with your guidance counselor if you need help getting your transcripts sent to selected schools.
• Verify that your transcripts are accurate.
• Request for letters of recommendation to include with your admissions and scholarship applications.
• Candidates for early school admission (early decision, early action, etc.) should complete college applications.

November

• Send completed applications to the schools you want to attend. Check housing availability and file appropriate paperwork.
• Remember that most California State Universities and Universities of California have an application deadline of the end of this month, so plan to turn your applications in this month for these schools.

January

• Pick up the Free Application for Federal Student Aid from your high school guidance office and submit as soon after January 1 as possible. Some student aid programs award funds on a first-come, first-served basis.

February

• Complete your FAFSA as soon as you have your income information.
• Contact financial-aid offices at your prospective colleges and request any additional forms they may require.
• Respond quickly to college requests for additional information.

March-April

• Watch the mail for your SAR (Student Aid Report). Carefully examine the results.
• College decisions and financial award letters start rolling in.

April – July

• You'll begin to receive acceptance or rejection letters from colleges and universities. Note deadlines for notifying schools of your plans about your attendance.
• Make a decision and send in your tuition deposit-most schools require a response by May 1.
• Complete student loan applications. Report to your school any private grants or scholarships you receive.
• Let colleges know if you don't plan to attend. This courtesy opens space for someone else.
• Mail your official transcripts.

June – August

• Read all the information you've received about your school. Prepare for your move to campus.
• Sign up for pre-registration or orientation sessions.
• Attend orientation.
• Complete any college financial info received; if you have questions, ASK.
• Send a note of thanks to all of the individuals who helped you get in.