College Timeline

9th Grade
* Take required courses to meet college admissions requirements such as Algebra 1C or Geometry 1C, College Prep or Honors English and electives that meet admissions requirements.
* Get involved in sports and clubs and find something you enjoy or are passionate about.
* October-Take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test) that is a practice Exam for the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test). Register by September.
* Begin using the Student Planner at www.csumentor.edu or californiacolleges.edu.
* Summer-Take part in summer enrichment programs, volunteer or begin working and saving for college. Visit colleges in the area or when you go on vacation.

10th Grade
* Take Geometry or Algebra II, college prep or honors English and start your foreign language requirement.
* Look to take a leadership role in a club or sport you enjoy.
* Find a volunteer activity and build volunteer hours with a focus.
* October-Take the PSAT (You should have signed up at summer registration)
* December-Review the results of the PSAT to see what areas you need to focus on to improve your score
* Take practice SAT/ACT (American College testing) tests and attend any workshops.
* Take the SAT Reasoning test and/or the ACT test when you have completed Algebra II. You need to sign up at www.collegeboard.com for the SAT and www.act.org for the ACT at least 6 weeks in advance. See your counselor if you think you may qualify for a fee waiver.
* Take any AP exams in May.
* Take SAT Subject exams in history, science or foreign language, if you plan to apply to UC (University of California) or other selective colleges. Take the subject tests as you finish the most advanced courses. You need to sign up for these tests at least 6 weeks in advance. See your counselor about a fee waiver.
* Take part in summer enrichment programs or take a summer class at community college.
* Get a summer job and keep saving for college.

11th Grade
* Review your courses with your counselor or the college counselor to make sure you have enrolled in the required classes.
* Take the most rigorous schedule possible for YOU. Take Honors and AP courses and maintain a "B" (3.0) or better GPA.
* Begin searching for colleges you might want to attend. Consider location, size, reputation, majors, programs, activities, costs/financial aid, admissions requirements and campus environment.
* Take a leadership role in a club, sport or volunteer activity.
* October-Take the PSAT to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship program. You may release your PSAT score to interested colleges and begin receiving college information.
* Take practice SAT/ACT tests and attend any available prep classes. Concentrate on the areas you needed to improve from the PSAT or practice exams.
* Take the SAT Reasoning test and ACT test when you have completed Algebra II and Junior English, but no later than May/June of your junior year. You can take the SAT or ACT as many times as you want and colleges look at your best scores.
* Take SAT Subject tests in December and May/June as you complete advanced classes in math, science, history or foreign language if you plan to apply to UC or selective colleges.
* Plan college visits over winter and spring breaks. Take a tour, meet with admission counselor, check out the campus newspaper or radio station, ask about special programs such as band, ask about campus safety, double check admissions requirements and costs, talk to the financial aid office.
* If you can't visit a college, check out the website and take a "virtual" tour.
* Take the AP exams in May for any AP courses you are enrolled.
* Make sure to complete the EAP questions when you take your STAR testing in April. If you score well on the EAP, you will not need to take placement tests for CSUs (California State Universities).
* Take classes at community college.
* Visit colleges over the summer. Narrow the list to those colleges you feel are a good fit and would attend if accepted.
* Start searching for and applying for scholarships.
* Put together an academic resume and "brag" sheet for recommendation letters.
* Get a summer job and keep saving for college.

12th Grade

* Take advanced courses in core academic subjects (English, history, math, science).
* Take any remaining required courses for college admission. Maintain your GPA!
* Determine what college/universities you want to attend and check out the application and testing deadlines. Be selective about where you apply.
* If you were required to take a math class from your EAP results, make sure you are enrolled in an approved course.
* Check on scholarships and apply to as many as possible. Try to complete one scholarship per week. Make sure you give your teachers or counselors time to write your recommendation letters.
* Register for the SAT/ACT if you need to improve your scores. Check deadlines! Some colleges like SDSU require SAT/ACT scores no later than the October test dates.
* Register for the SAT Subject tests if you need to improve your scores or have not yet taken these exams. UC requires 2 SAT Subject tests by December of your senior year. Other universities have different requirements. Make sure you check and meet all deadlines.
* October-December: Applications to UC and CSU schools are due by November 30th. Check deadlines for other schools. Most colleges charge an application fee of $50 or more so be selective. Give teachers and counselors enough time to write any required recommendations. Don't forget to request housing if you won't be living at home.
* January-March: Apply for financial aid at www.fafsa.ed.gov. The Free Application for Federal Financial Aid is due by March 2nd and requires the parent's current tax return. Check with your colleges about other financial aid deadlines. Many private colleges require the CSS Profile by mid-February and may have their own financial aid forms in addition to the FAFSA. If you miss the March 2nd deadline, you will not be eligible for any California financial aid.
* March-May: Check award letters from the colleges that have accepted you. Determine which school you will attend. Make sure to meet any deadlines for acceptance, deposits, housing and placement exams. Notify all schools of your decision.
* May- Take any AP exams.
* Keep up those grades. Most college acceptances are conditional. Dropping classes or bad grades can result in your acceptance being revoked!
* Take any placement tests. Many colleges require a math and English placement tests BEFORE you can register for classes.

SENIORS: Don't forget to check the college applications checklist (.pdf format, Adobe Reader needed to open).

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