TIMELINES

Freshmen

Fall

• Meet with school counselor to create a 4 year plan that includes college preparation.
• Get to know your school counselors, teachers and principal from high school.
• Learn what it takes to graduate from high school.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities. Colleges are interested in the way you spend your extra time.

January & February

Meet with your advisor to:

• Review your first semester grades.
• Learn which Regents tests you need to take in June.

March

• Visit or take a virtual tour of a college campus -NYC has dozens of colleges, all just a subway ride away.
• Research and apply for summer programs and internships.
• Pay attention to program deadlines so that
  you don’t miss out on opportunities.

April & May

• Study for your Regents and other final exams.
• Check with your advisor and teachers to see if they know of any summer jobs that suit your interests.
• Apply for working papers with your advisor's help. Remember you must be 15 to work in NYC.
• Register for an SATII subject test with your advisor. You should only register to take an SATII in a subject in which you are doing well.
• Meet with your advisor to review how you did this year and plan what classes you should take next year.

June

Take at least one Regents exam by the end of your 9th grade.

Sophomores

September & October

• Meet with your advisor to:
  • Register for the PSAT offered once a year in October.
  • Review your 9th grade transcript.
• Go to the Big Apple College Fair.
• Check the progress of your four-year plan.
• Explore different types of colleges (private, public, professional and arts).
• Stay involved in extracurricular activities - try applying for a leadership position.

November

Continue to study hard and get good grades.

January

Meet with your advisor to learn which Regents exams you need to take in June.

March & April

• Research and apply for summer programs and internships. Pay close attention to these program deadlines.
• Visit a college campus and attend an information session.
• Ask your advisor to help you register for an SATII subject tests. Remember, you should only register for an SATII test in a subject in which you are well prepared.

May & June

• Prepare for and take the Regents exams.
• Check in with your advisor and teachers to see if they know of any summer opportunities.
• Apply for working papers. Remember you must be 15 to work in NYC.
• Meet with your advisor to:
  • Discuss your academic progress.
  • Review your four-year course plan and choose the classes you need to take next year.
  • Discuss your summer plans.
  • Ask about Advanced Placement classes.
  • Ask about and register for a College Now course at a local college.
  • Take an SATII subject test.

   

Juniors

September

• Register for the October PSAT/NMSQT with your advisor. Ask for practice tests and other tips.
• Continue your involvement with extracurricular and leadership activities.
• Register for College Now or Advanced Placement classes.
• Make sure that you take courses that challenge you, such as pre-calculus/Math B and chemistry.

October

• Take the PSAT.
• Attend fall college fairs. Visit www.bigapplecollegefairs.com

November

Discuss your PSAT results with your college advisor and identify test skills you need to develop before taking the real SAT next spring.

December

• Study hard for your finals in high school as well as your College Now classes. Colleges want to see how well you do in advanced level classes.
• Prepare for January Regents.

January

• Take a look at the Financial Aid Section of this guide.
• Talk with your advisor about scholarships.
• Research scholarships at www.newvisions.org/teaching_learning/downloads/scholarships_2007.pdf
• Find 2 scholarships that match your talents and interests. Use the Internet to help.
• Take advantage of the financial aid workshops at high schools, colleges, college access programs and through the Department of Education. Invite your parents/guardians and learn together how to pay for college.
• Meet with your advisor to:
  • Review your academic progress.
  • Find out which Regents exams you have to take in June.
  • Register for the March 10th SAT or May 5th SAT.
  • Register for College Now classes.

February

• Create your College Application List, which is a list of colleges you might like to attend. Visit those schools online, call admissions offices or go to college fairs to request free materials.
  
• Learn about special admissions requirements for performing and visual arts colleges.
  
• Take an SAT prep course. For information on free or low cost test prep, check www.cacny.com .

March

• ESL students should find out if the colleges on their list require the TOEFL and then register to take the test.
• Research and apply for a summer program, internship or job.
  
• Register for the June SATII subject test. Only register to take an SATII in a subject in which you are doing well.
  
• Visit some of the colleges you are interested in.
  
• If you are planning to take AP test(s) or CLEP (College Level Examination Program) test(s) this spring, talk with your college advisor or teachers about how to prepare.

April

• Take the April SAT, if you are registered.
  
• Attend other spring college fairs.
• Narrow your College Application List to 6-8 colleges.
• Retake the SAT Exam if you are not happy with your score.
• Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse, if you are interested in playing
  athletics in college, at www.ncaa.org . Their guide for the college bound
  student athlete is available by clicking on the "eligibility" link.
  

May

• Attend the NACAC College fair at the Jacob Javits Center on April 13, 2008 from 12-4 pm.
• Take the May SAT exam if you are registered.
• Continue to study hard and get good grades.
  

June

• Prepare to take the SATII, SAT and Regents exams.
• Meet with your advisor and parents/guardians to:
  • Discuss your current courses and the number of credits you have. Decide on the classes you will take next year.
  • Review the colleges on your list.
    

Summer

• Enjoy your summer program, internship, youth employment or volunteer work.
• Mention to summer teachers and/or supervisors that you will ask for letters of recommendation in the fall.
• Request catalogues, admission applications and financial aid information from colleges you haven't already contacted.
• Identify at least 2 scholarships that match your interests or talents. Check out Scholarships for New York City Students at www.newvisions.org/teaching_learning/downloads/scholarships_2007.pdf
  Get applications. Use the Internet and public library to help.
• Write an outline for an autobiographical essay.
• Visit college campuses.
• Create a resume that includes all of the jobs and extracurricular activities in which you have participated throughout highschool. This will make a great addition to your college applications and will also help your teachers and job supervisors write a better recommendation for you.
• Find out if a placement test, audition or portfolio is required for admission to a specialized program. Find out what is required. This way, you can use the summer to prepare.
• Register, through College Board, for any tests you need to take.

Seniors

September

• Register now for the October 6, 2007 or November 3, 2007 SAT1 and/or the October ACT. Even if you've already taken the SAT1 in the spring of your junior year, many seniors retake it for a chance to raise their scores.
• Study hard and get good grades. Colleges like to see strong grades in the first semester of the senior year.
• Meet regularly with your college advisor. This is an important year to:
  • Review your College Application List. Keep in mind your recent academic performance when deciding if colleges are still a good match for you.
  • Make sure you have "dream," "probable" and "safety" schools on your list.
  • Ask you advisor about Early Decision or Early Action.
  • Think of 2 or 3 teachers who could write great letters of recommendation for you. You should ask your advisor or employers from after-school and summer activities.
• Register for College Now and Advanced Placement classes.
• Write the first draft of essays for college and scholarship applications.
• English Language Learners: find out if you need to take the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).
  

October

• Take the October SAT if you are registered.
• Finalize your list of 6-8 colleges.
• Ask your advisor if you qualify for financial aid programs like HEOP/EOP (Higher/ Education Opportunity Program), the Search for Education, Elevation and Knowledge (SEEK) or College Discovery (CD).
• Give recommendation forms to your college advisor, teacher and others who are qualified to write about your achievements.
• Pay attention to Early Decision and Early Action deadlines. Some are now!
• Work on essay drafts. Get feedback from teachers or college advisor.
• Continue to work on your portfolio and audition presentation if you are applying to a visual or performing arts school.
• Begin to explore and research scholarship opportunities.
• Attend college fairs and continue to visit college campuses. www.bigapplecollegefairs.com

November

• Option to take the November SAT exam.
• Begin filling out your college applications. Most regular admissions deadlines range from late December to early March.
• Attend a financial aid workshop with your parents/guardians.
• Remind teachers, college advisors and others to mail your recommendation forms.
• Schedule college interviews or auditions, if necessary.
• Contact colleges and ask about support services that are available for students with special needs if you have a learning or physical disability.
• Complete drafts of essays and get feedback.

December

• Option to take the December SAT or ACT.
• Give applications with mid-January deadlines to your college advisor to complete questions on class rank and academic history.
• Give your advisor a list of colleges and scholarship organizations that require an official transcript.
• Finalize your essays.
• Collect information about your family's household finances, which will be required on the FAFSA form (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).
• Apply for a PIN (personal identification number) for your TAP and FAFSA applications--due after January 1.
• Keep an eye out for Early Decision and Early Action Decision letters.
• Continue to study hard and get good grades!
• Prepare for January Regents.
• Send out all Scholarship applications before the end of December.

January

• January is a very popular month for application deadlines. Make copies of your applications before you send them in!
• Ask your parents to work on their tax return estimates so you can complete the FAFSA and get the financial aid you need! You can submit the FAFSA after January 1st online or through the mail using the paper version.
• Attend financial aid workshops with your guardians at high schools, college access programs or the Department of Education.
• Meet with your advisor:
  • Are you on track for graduation?
  • Which, if any, Regents do you need to take in June?
  • Register for College Now classes.
  • Make sure your applications are complete so you can meet upcoming deadlines.
    
• Check to see that your letters of recommendation and transcripts are mailed.
  

February

• Complete and mail the FAFSA or file online.
• Complete your TAP application using either online or paper version.
• Complete CSS/PROFILE and other financial aid forms.

March

• Mail applications to colleges that have open or rolling admissions, as these schools may run out of space.
• Fill out any HEOP/EOP forms that you receive from the schools you apply to ASAP!
• Keep an eye on the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR) which will have the information that you included on your FAFSA. Review your SAR and mail changes if necessary.

April

• Check the mail for decision letters. Colleges are supposed to let you know their decisions this month.
• Financial aid letters are sent separately by each college that accepts you and these usually arrive later.
• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) carefully and mail in changes if necessary.
• If you do not apply for TAP online but have completed your FAFSA application, HESC will mail you an express TAP application (ETA) to review, sign and return.

May & June

• Once you have decided where you want to enroll:
  • Notify the college (you guessed it) before the deadline - usually May 1st!
• Review all of your financial aid forms and check off the financial aid you accept. Sign and return the form to the college financial aid office. If applicable, sign and return loan promissory notes.
• If you need more financial aid, contact the college;s financial aid office.
• Mail your tuition deposit.
• If you plan to live on campus, you will receive information on dormitories. Fill out and return the questionnaire on personal lifestyle, interests and habits.
• Mail your room and board deposit.
• Notify all other colleges that you do not plan to accept their offer of admission.
• If accepted through HEOP, review information on mandatory summer orientation and class schedule. If your college is away from home, begin planning transportation and the luggage you will take.
• Students accepted for regular admission should review the orientation and registration schedule. If you will be going away to college, start planning your move.
• Finish high school!
  
  • If you are registered, take AP test(s). Scoring well can earn you credits in college.
  • Keep on top of your classes, so you do not jeopardize your high school graduation.
  • Prepare for and take final exams.
  • Heave a big sigh of relief! Congratulations - you made it!