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Roadmap to College: What Should I Do Now? - Monthly Planner

by Karen Wolf
Source: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Topics: Senior Year of High School Preparation, How to Choose the Right College, College Application Materials

At this point, you should have been able to answer some questions about your personality, your academic history, your extracurricular activities, your talents and abilities, and your preferences in the type of college you are looking for. The college search is time consuming and you may feel overloaded with deadlines and all of the small and large tasks you need to complete. The planner on the next several pages will help you keep track of the many deadlines ahead.

Monthly Plan

September

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Take challenging classes

Take challenging classes

Take challenging classes

Take a full load of classes

Take every class seriously

Take every class seriously

Take every class seriously

Take every class seriously

Attend a club fair featuring clubs and organizations offered in your high school

Attend a club fair featuring clubs and organizations offered in your high school

Attend a club fair featuring clubs and organizations offered in your high school

Meet with your guidance counselor to finalize your college list

Join clubs, begin activities

Join clubs, begin activities

Join clubs, begin activities

Continue your activities

READ!

READ!

Take on leadership positions

Prepare for fall SAT/ACT exams

Remember, every grade counts!

Remember, every grade counts!

Remember, every grade counts!

Send SAT/ACT scores to colleges

Study in advance for exams

Study in advance for exams

Study in advance for exams

Recheck your academic transcript

Set small goals

Set small goals

Set small goals

Apply to rolling admissions colleges, spaces fill up early

Try to increase your class participation

Try to increase your class participation

Try to increase your class participation

Visit college campuses

Review class notes in between classes

Review class notes in between classes

Review class notes in between classes

Check your Facebook and other online profiles and delete any inappropriate material

NOTES: ____________________________________________________________

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October

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Get tutoring and attend extra help sessions as needed

Get tutoring and attend extra help sessions as needed

Get tutoring and attend extra help sessions as needed

Check on teachers’ letters of recommendations

Start thinking about possible careers

Take the PSAT exam, if your school offers it

Take the PSAT exam, if your school offers it

Establish a neutral e-mail to put on college applications

Manage your time wisely

Manage your time wisely

Manage your time wisely

Apply to rolling admissions
colleges

Use an agenda book

Use an agenda book

Use an agenda book

Take SAT/ACT again, if necessary, and send your scores

READ!

Take the PLAN (pre-ACT) if your school offers it

READ!

Visit college campuses

Every grade counts

READ!

Every grade counts

Meet with admissions officers
visiting your high school, if appropriate

Set small goals

Start thinking about possible careers

Start thinking about possible careers

Avoid senioritis, stay engaged in school

NOTES: ___________________________________________________________

__________________________________________________________________

November

9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade

Visit your guidance counselor

Visit your guidance counselor

Visit your guidance counselor

Early decision and early action application deadlines

Review your report card/evaluate your performance

Review your report card/evaluate your performance

Review your report card/evaluate your performance

Take the SAT/ACT again, if necessary, and send your scores

Take appropriate steps if your grades are not where you want them to be: talk to teachers, cut down on computer time

Take appropriate steps if your grades are not where you want them to be: talk to teachers, cut down on computer time

Take appropriate steps if your grades are not where you want them to be: talk to teachers, cut down on computer time

Work on special
talent portfolios (art, music, drama, and writing)

READ!

READ!

Research colleges

Continue to visit colleges

Increase class participation

Increase class participation

READ!

Work on regular decision
applications

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it

Don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it

NOTES: ________________________________________________________________

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