September
  • Discuss college with your family.
  • If you have not already begun to do so, start researching colleges. A great start is www.collegeboard.com or www.careercruising.com.
  • Review your courses with your high school guidance counselor.
  • Prepare a list of questions to ask college reps.
  • Sign up to take the PSAT. There are a limited number of spots available at McCann for the PSAT test. Please pay attention to the morning announcements and see your guidance counselor for more information.
  • Get and stay organized. Create files to keep copies of applications and correspondence. Set up a calendar to track important dates and deadlines.
October-November
  • Attend college fairs.
  • Take the PSAT.
  • Start searching for scholarships and ways to pay for your education.
  • Learn what components make up the cost to attend college.
  • Review descriptions of the different types of schools.
  • Plan and make college visits.
December
  • Review your PSAT results with your counselor.
  • Talk with your college friends home for break.
  • Think about taking the SAT or ACT in the spring, begin studying.
January
  • Identify characteristics you want in a college- small or large, close to home or far away, a research college or liberal arts, sports and clubs.
February
  • Register and study for the SAT and/or ACT.
March
  • Plan campus visits.
  • Narrow your college list to a reasonable number.
  • Keep up college discussions with your family and counselors
  • Estimate how much various colleges will cost.
April-May
  • Select senior year classes - check with your counselor to ensure your courses meet necessary college requirements.
  • Start visiting colleges.
  • Take the SAT and/or ACT, if necessary.
  • Get a summer job to save extra money. If not a summer job, how about volunteering? www.volunteermatch.org is a great website that can show you all the volunteering opportunities in your town or community.
  • Considering a military academy or an ROTC scholarship? Meet with your high school counselor before leaving for summer vacation.
Summer
  • Improve your reading and vocabulary skills.
  • Continue searching for colleges that fit your requirements.
  • Continue searching for scholarships and ways to pay.
  • Combine vacation plans with campus visits. While visiting colleges, ask for applications.
  • Start working on your college application essays.
  • Talk to people in careers that interest you.
  • Decide who you'll ask to write letters of recommendation.
  • Talk with college friends home for summer.
  • Register to take the SAT/ACT.