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A Timeline for Completing the College Search and Application Process
What follows is a general roadmap or guideline to the college search process. Remember however, that while there are general timelines to follow, each search is individual and personal to you. The most important piece is to schedule time with your counselor. We can help tailor this process specifically to you and your needs.
JUNIOR YEAR FALL
Re-familiarize yourself with Naviance. Begin thinking about parameters to use in the college search: size, location, major, etc
Begin looking into the financial aid process. MEFA (the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) events website has valuable information regarding the college financial process. See link for webinar workshops: https://www.mefa.org/events
OCTOBER/NOVEMBER
Take the PSAT at NRHS
Attend college representative visits at the high school. See your counselor or Naviance for details.
DECEMBER
Attend college information night at NRHS
Discuss possible SAT prep options (Khan Academy www.khanacademy.org offers some great tutorials)
JUNIOR YEAR WINTER
MEET WITH YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR!!!
Select classes for senior year
JANUARY/ FEBRUARY
Parents and students schedule meeting with counselor to discuss the individual college research process
Register for March SAT at www.collegeboard.org (February deadline) You must register online with Collegeboard
Research schools and update your “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list in Naviance
Visit campuses and meet with admissions either in person (if available) or virtually
MARCH
Take SATs in March
Continue to research and visit schools
APRIL
Schedule visits (in person if possible) to college campuses during April vacation
Be aware of days scheduled by colleges specifically for juniors
Consider taking the ASVAB if you are interested in a military career
If interested, consider taking the ACT (www.actstudent.org). Discuss with your counselor
MAY
Register for June SATs (www.collegeboard.org)
Talk to teachers about writing recommendations (forms available online and in counseling office)
Take AP/IB Exams if you are enrolled in AP/IB Courses
Give thought to who you’d like to write your letters of recommendation
JUNE
SATs at Nauset High School
Finish year strong - these are the last full year grades a college will see
SENIOR YEAR SUMMER
Explore options for writing the college essay
Set up an account with Common Application at www.commonapp.org
Update Resume
Begin to gather documents required for financial aid applications. Utilize financial aid web pages for each college you are considering
SENIOR YEAR FALL
If interested, consider taking the ACT (www.actstudent.org). Discuss this with your counselor
Attend college visits at the high school (see list of visiting schools on Naviance)
You will get direct information if Naviance list of “colleges I am thinking about” is updated
SEPTEMBER
Register for October SATs (deadline TBD but is often prior to the start of school)
Confirm teachers who will be writing letters of recommendation and make sure they are listed in Naviance
Discuss college list with counselor and narrow down to six to eight schools
Be sure to have probable, target, and reach schools
In Naviance, update list of “colleges I am thinking about” to “colleges I am applying to”
OCTOBER
If you have already solidified your list of schools, begin the process of early application (Some schools require early applications by November 1st -- or earlier). Work with your counselor to set deadlines.
If submitting, make sure test scores are being sent to the colleges on your short list through www.collegeboard.org They must be sent by the student through CollegeBoard to be “official”
Check with each school’s financial aid office for deadlines for necessary documents to be submitted. Ex: CSS Profile, Institutional Financial Aid Forms and FAFSA forms. Dates can vary for each school
Attend Financial Aid Night at the high school
NOVEMBER
Early action deadlines
Attend Financial Aid Night at the high school (www.mefa.org) or virtual programs.
DECEMBER
The FAFSA becomes available in December (at this point in time). Create an account with FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov), apply for a pin
SENIOR YEAR WINTER
Complete any outstanding applications
Schedule any necessary admissions interviews or auditions
JANUARY
Many regular decision deadlines fall on January 1 or January 15
Double check that each school has received all necessary materials
Mid Year grades are sent in late January
Scholarship Bulletin is released
FEBRUARY
Identify Scholarships you may be eligible for
Maintain grades
MARCH
Work on scholarship applications
Begin to receive decisions from schools for regular decision application pool
APRIL
Local scholarship applications are due
Compare financial aid offers for schools to which you have been accepted. Acceptance letters and student aid offers should arrive by mid-April
Consider visiting each school before accepting an offer
MAY
Decide on a school by May 1st
JUNE
The high school will send final transcripts to your college of choice so be sure we have your correct attending college before you leave in June
IMPORTANT NOTES:
In person visits are always the best option if possible. However, many colleges are also offering virtual tours and info sessions. Both of these options are great things to participate in for a few reasons:
It allows you to demonstrate your interest in the school
You can see the college through your own lens
At the very least, make sure you are on mailing lists for colleges you are interested in. This is often tracked and noted in your application file.
Many schools have gone “test optional”. However, you should still plan to take the PSAT AND SAT or ACT as it can provide additional helpful data.
It is essential that you check with each school you are interested in to see what their current position is on standardized testing.
Your transcript is still the most important piece of your application!
The courses you have selected, the rigor of these courses, and your level of success in these courses are the cornerstones of your application.
In your essay, colleges are looking for a piece of writing that shares something about you, and also demonstrates your writing ability.
Now more than ever letters of recommendation are going to help to make your application three dimensional. Think about who can illustrate your abilities as a student.
Counselors are available by appointment to meet with students and families, including designated evening appointments. Please contact Krystal Adams, the office administrative assistant (508.255.1510), or email your counselor directly to make an appointment.