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College Entrance Guide

IB Coordinator and College Counselor: Barbara Kuhl


COLLEGE PLANNING TIMETABLE

Sophomore Year/2nde: Familiarize yourself with the college process

Plan for the year
  • Meet your counselor to discuss your college plans.
  • Start a calendar with important dates and deadlines
  • Get more involved with your extracurricular activities
  • Go to college fairs in your area – Check calendar for details
  • Taking the PSAT/NMSQT® given in October and the PLAN (practice ACT) in November
       – See counselor for details
Prepare for tests
  • Talk to your counselor about taking SAT Subject Tests™ in your strong subjects this spring.
Learn about colleges
  • Inform yourself about college cost and how financial aid works
  • Use the College Savings Calculator to see how much money you’ll need for college, whether you’re on track to save enough, and what you need to do to reach your goal.
  • Talk to your parents about financing college.
    [http://apps.collegeboard.com/fincalc/college_savings.jsp]
Start a college folder!!!
    Use your summer!
    • Look for summer opportunities – job, internship, or volunteer position
    • Start a summer reading list. Ask your teachers to recommend books.
    • Plan to visit college campuses near you. If you visit another state or country, check opportunities there.

    Junior Year/1ère:  The heart of the college process

    Fall
    • Take the PSAT/NMSQT® in October – See your counselor for details
    • Check calendar and register for SATs
    • Attend College Fair
    • Make an appointment with your counselor. This is a get-to-know-you-better session.
    • Submit your preliminary interest list of college options based on a “homework” assignment your counselor will give you.
    Spring
    • Meet with parents and college counselor
    • Check calendar and register for SATs
    • Write, call or e-mail catalogs or application forms to these colleges on your preliminary list.
    • Attend College Fair – Check calendar for details
    Summer
    • Visit colleges, call ahead for interviews if appropriate.

    Senior Year/Terminale:  The end of the college process: applying, getting in!

    The last year of your high school academic career, this year is very crucial as it’s a transitory year, from high school to college. My goal as College Counselor is to help you make this transition smoother and assist you on the path that will lead you to college.

    General
    • Apply for a leadership position in your favorite activity or club
    • Write away for applications, write your essays
    • Decide if you are a candidate for an early program
    • Check that all materials have been handed in to your counselor
    • Make sure each envelope has a stamped postcard addressed to you so that you will be informed when your materials arrive at the college.
    • Review your high school record for incorrect grades
    • Participate in research opportunities and other special programs
    • Call colleges for visits, tours and interviews during school holidays.

    Particulars
    September
    • Meet with the counselor as early as possible. The earlier we start in the college application process, the less stress there will be on you, the student, your parents, your teachers who will be writing your recommendation letters, and your counselor.
    • Attend College Fairs [See calendar]
    • Register for ACTs/SATs
    • If you choose to apply Early Action or Early Decision, make sure you keep an eye on the November 15 deadline!
    October
    • Request teacher applications. Read section on teacher application request (page 31).
    • Request test scores be sent to colleges
    • Ask LILA College Counseling office to send School Record to colleges
    • Take ACTs/SATs
    • Complete and send CSS Profile registration on-line
    • Reminder: Early Action and Early Decision application deadlines are on November 15!
    • Pick up state applications and apply to at least one
    • Review essays, type and mail applications
    November
    • November 1-30: UC Application period
    • November 15: Early Action and Early Decision deadline.
    • Take ACTs/SATs
    • Mail out all remaining applications (e-mail or snail mail)
    • Send all scores to new colleges on your list
    December
    • Last month to take SATs if you are applying to UCs
    • Take ACTs/SATs
    January
    • Successful Early Decision applicants withdraw other applications
    • Parents work on Federal Financial Aid form (FAFSA), due January 31 at the latest
    February
    • Decisions from colleges with Rolling Admissions arrive
    April
    • Decisions on all applicants arrive by mid-April
    May
    • Notify colleges of your enrollment intentions by May 1
    • International Baccalaureate exams
    • End of May – Bac (Terminales)
    June
    • Bac français (Premières)
    • End school year, enjoy your summer, and prepare for a new adventure!


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