College TimeLine

JUNIOR YEAR

Fall Term

• Identify your strongest academic subjects and determine possible fields of study and even career possibilities.
• Take the PSAT/NMSQT to practice for the SAT I.
• Use available resources in your high school guidance office, in the Center for College Planning, and on the Internet to develop a list of possible schools.
• Start preparing for the Spring SAT or ACT & Register for the most convenient SAT or ACT testing location.

Spring Term

• Attend Destination College. Visit www.destinationcollege.org for details
• Use your long weekends and school vacations to start visiting some of the colleges on your list.
• Take the SAT or ACT, as well as the SAT Subject (depending on the school).
• Visit your school counselor or the Center for College Planning to examine your game plan for applying to colleges as well as to familiarize yourself with available sources of financial aid.
• Take advantage of any opportunities to become a more well rounded student (i.e. internships, community service projects, or advanced study programs.)
• Plan family vacations so you can visit colleges that you are interested in applying to.
• Enter into conversations with your parents about which schools are financially feasible, and also about which schools you really might want to attend.

SENIOR YEAR

Fall Term

• Register at www.nh93.com for scholarships
• Register and Take the SAT or ACT.
• Narrow down the college list to 5-10 schools with help from your school counselor, family, and friends.
• Obtain a combination of three recommendations from teachers, coaches or work supervisors.
• Visit the NHHEAF Network Organizations Center for College Planning to obtain in-depth information about the college application and financial aid process from one of our expert College Counselors.
• Complete applications before or during your winter break.

• Soon after January 1st, file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as well as any additional financial aid forms as requested by the schools.
• Contact the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation, as well as other scholarship programs for scholarship applications.
• Pay attention to application and financial aid deadlines and never chance it - send requested paperwork in early!
• Wait for acceptances and compare financial aid award letters.
• Visit the schools again if you are having a tough time making a decision; bring parents or friends along for a different point of view.
• By May 1st, choose the right school for you and congratulate yourself on a job well done!