Fall

• Discuss your high school career with your high school counselor. Create a list of the core, college-prep courses you've taken and all the activities you participated in, including leadership roles. Make sure to include awards and community service. 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 courses (such as computer science and foreign language)
• Register for and take entrance exams if you haven't already done so. SAT I and ACT are the most common tests. Consider completing SAT IIs or Advanced Placement (AP) tests in subjects you've finished the most advanced course in, such as biology, chemistry or U.S. history.
• Compile a list of characteristics you want in a college. Search for schools by location, size, denomination or major at www.christiancollegementor.org. 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 should my school be from home (in-state, within a day's drive, etc.)?
  • What type of community should the school be near (large city, suburb, rural area, etc.)?
  • What activities do I want to participate in (student government, choir, sports, social clubs, etc.)?
  • What major am I interested in?
  • What other characteristics am I looking for?
• Review each school's Web site and contact its admissions office for more information.
• Attend a college fair to gather printed materials about colleges and talk to admissions counselors.
• Ask your high school counselor if admissions counselors from colleges of interest will be visiting. Arrange a meeting with them when they come.
• Organize all your materials for each school in a separate folder. Make lists comparing each school.
• Visit your top choices. Try to experience as much of the campus as possible, including a dorm, chapel and a class.
• Collect the most recent catalogs and applications from your top choices.
• Apply to your top choices (be mindful of deadlines).
• Write admissions essays with care, and have a teacher or parent proofread them. Give personal references at least a week to complete recommendation forms for your applications.
• Research and apply for scholarships.

Fall/Winter

• 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 financial aid report.
• Confirm all your target schools have the completed financial aid forms. Check with them to see about applying for institutional grants and scholarships.
• Begin examining housing options, meal plans and course schedules.

Spring

• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for completeness. Make sure all your target schools receive your SAR.
• Choose which school is the best match for you after reviewing acceptance letters and financial aid packages. Contact the school you decide to attend, and notify the other schools that accepted you of your decision.
• Estimate your college costs based on your sources of financial aid. Set goals with your parents on budgeting, work income and potential, future scholarships. Continue applying for grants and scholarships. Consider loan possibilities, if necessary.
• Take the remaining SAT II and AP tests if eligible.

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 be taking with you 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.