Freshman year

• Discuss with your high school counselor and family how to make the most of high school by what classes to take, what activities to participate in and how to serve your community. Most colleges require the following coursework for incoming freshmen:
  • 4 units of English (grammar, composition and literature)
  • 3 units of mathematics (algebra I and above)
  • 2 units of history (one unit of U.S. history)
  • 2 units of lab science (biology, chemistry, physics, physical science)
  • 1 unit of citizenship (government, economics, geography)
  • 3 units of other specialized subjects (such as computer science and foreign language)
• Map out the next three years of high school classes and activities.
• Enroll in college preparatory or honors courses.
• Concentrate on building vocabulary and practicing basic math skills to prepare for entrance exams.
• Set goals to earn higher grades and get involved in a variety of activities.
• Make sure to keep record from now on of all awards, activities, leadership positions and community service. This will make completing college and scholarship applications much easier.
• Use your summer break to work, volunteer or participate in a school, church or community activity.

Sophomore year

• Meet with your high school counselor to review your progress and discuss your goals.
• Continue taking college preparatory courses and striving for high grades.
• Work to build good time management and study skills.
• Take preliminary versions of entrance exams like the PLAN or PSAT.
• Take the SAT IIs for subjects you've taken the most advanced course in, such as biology, chemistry or U.S. history.
• Research Advanced Placement (AP) courses available at your high school to earn college credit.
• Attend a college fair to better understand the college search process and to begin exploring what types of schools exist. At the fair, gather materials about colleges you're interest in and talk with admissions counselors.
• Plan to spend the summer involved with work, community service or extracurricular activities.

Junior year-fall

Your third year in high school is full of opportunity to dive into the college search. If you're just beginning to think about college, please review the freshman and sophomore year summaries to get some background information to build upon. The junior year is often overlooked, but careful planning now can put you ahead of your classmates during your senior year. This timeline will guide you through the start of your communication with colleges and entrance exams.

• Review key verbal and math concepts and study for the SAT I or ACT.
• Take the PSAT again to refresh your test-taking skills. High scores on this test make you eligible for National Merit Scholarships.
• Take inventory on where you are in completing the academic requirements for colleges.
• Continue taking challenging courses and working for high grades.
• Make a list of what you want in a college. Consider the following questions:
  • What affiliation do I want (denominational, non-denominational, etc.)?
  • What size school do I want (less than 1,000 students, medium 1,000-2,500 students or large 2,500 or more, etc.)?
  • How far from home should my school be (in-state, within a day's drive, etc.)?
  • What type of community should the school be near (large city, suburb, rural area, etc.)?
  • What majors am I interested in?
  • What activities do I want to participate in (student government, choir, sports, social clubs, etc.)?
  • What other characteristics am I looking for in a college?
• Review your list of college preferences and begin searching online for schools that match your geographic area, denomination, etc. Check out www.ChristianCollegeMentor.org, a search engine that enables you to find schools with certain characteristics and compare them.
• Ask your high school counselor if colleges of interest will be visiting. Arrange to meet with them.
• Begin collecting materials from colleges through college fairs, mailings and Web research. Organize a filing system so you can locate important information about each school when you need it.

Junior year-spring

• Attend a college fair to gather information about schools and talk with admissions counselors.
• Take AP tests for classes that offer it.
• Register for the ACT and/or SAT in the spring. Decide which colleges should receive your scores.
• Meet with your high school counselor to review your test scores and college goals. Discuss your top college choices and potential scholarships.
• Narrow the number of colleges to a manageable number before applying. Take time and application fees into consideration.
• Visit your top college choices. Experience as much of the campus as possible, including spending the night, attending chapel and visiting a class.
• Investigate pre-college summer programs that offer college credit.
• Refine your list of awards, activities, leadership and community service in preparation for filling out applications.

Summer before senior year

• Collect and browse the most recent catalogs from your top college choices.
• Research scholarship options that you can apply for now.
• Review your awards, leadership, community involvement and activities list. Consider putting this information into a resume format.
• Begin formulating answers to potential essay or interview questions like "Why do you want to attend college?" and "What are your strengths and weaknesses?"
• Stay involved in the community and work to save some money.

Senior year-fall and winter

• Apply to your top five college choices (be mindful of deadlines).
• Consider applying for early admission (which could be November 1).
• Write admissions essays with care, and have a teacher or parent proofread them.
• Give your personal references at least a week to complete recommendation forms.
• Retake the ACT and/or SAT if needed.
• Research and apply for more scholarships.
• Revisit your top few colleges for a longer, overnight or weekend visit.
• Collect financial documents from your family and complete the FAFSA with your parents.
• Send in the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. Most state deadlines are March 1, and the federal deadline is May 1. Request colleges receive your information.
• Confirm that all target schools have your financial aid forms. Check with them to see about applying for institutional grants and scholarships.
• Begin examining housing options, meal plans and course schedules.

Senior year-spring

• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for completeness. Make sure all your target schools received your SAR.
• Choose which school is the best match for you after reviewing acceptance letters and financial aid packages. Contact the school you wish to attend, and notify the schools you will not attend.
• Estimate your college cost based on your sources of financial aid. Set goals with your parents on budgeting, work income and future scholarships. Continue applying for grants and scholarships. Consider loan possibilities, if necessary.
• Take the remaining SAT II and AP tests if eligible.

Senior year-summer

• Attend a weekend visit for accepted, incoming freshman. You can often apply for housing and register for classes during this visit.
• Work to save money, and stay involved in your community.
• Talk with your parents about what you will take to campus (car, computer, microwave, loft, TV, etc.). Make a packing list, and gather items that you need.
• Contact your future roommate when you get your housing assignment. Narrow your packing list by deciding what items to share.
• Spend time with family and friends before you leave for school.