JUNIOR YEAR COUNTDOWN STEPS TO COLLEGE:
- Review your high school courses and activities. Colleges look for challenging course work, strong grades, and extracurricular activities.
September:
- Browse college catalogs and guidebooks, and surf the Web for information.
- List 10 colleges you would like to attend.
- Talk to your parents and high school guidance counselor about that list to narrow it down.
- Register and study for the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT).
- Plan to attend college fairs and college representative visits at the high school.
October:
- Take the PSAT. Wednesday, October 10, 2018
- Start researching organizations that award scholarships to graduating seniors. Being prepared early prevents missed deadlines.
November:
- Plan to attend Financial Aid Night (November 08, 2018 at 6:00 pm) sponsored by the Curwensville AHS Guidance Department.
- Learn about eligibility requirements for federal and private student loans.
- Talk as a family about how much you can afford to spend for your education.
January:
- Research and plan the registration dates and test dates that you plan to take your spring SAT or ACT.
February:
- Investigate private scholarships and other aid programs. Check with your parents' employers, local membership organizations, or programs related to you intended course of study.
- Start planning spring trips to investigate colleges that you are interested in attending.
- Register for the SAT and/or ACT. Review all test prep materials that come with your registration.
March:
- Begin campus visits from three to six schools on your final list of consideration. Schedule an admissions interview and tour. Take time at each school's financial aid office to collect information.
- Begin preparing essays for admission and scholarship applications.
- Take the SAT and/or the ACT.
- Mark your calendar with the dates for future tests.
May:
- Take the SAT and/or ACT.
June:- Take the SAT and/or ACT if you scheduled a June test date.
- Continue researching organiztions that award scholarships to graduating seniors.
- Continue campus tours of prospective college choices.