College planning checklist [May 2008]

College Planning Checklist

Create your free, secure My 411 account. Keep track of your courses, grades, extracurricular activities, honors, and more. Invite your counselor to view your online High School Planner. Stay organized by adding important dates and deadlines to My Calendar; such as tests and activities. Obtain Career Info and explore your career interests on GAcollege411. Talk to your counselor about the classes that will prepare you for college and your career. Learn about college entrance exams in the College Test Prep section. Use free tutorials to prepare for the tests you'll need for college admissions. Find information and requirements on scholarships and grants in the Paying for College section. Explore extracurricular opportunities in your school and community. Learn how your grade-point average (GPA) is calculated and how you can track your GPA eligibility for HOPE scholarship on GAcollege411 via the HOPE Progress Report.

Meet with your counselor to review your classes and career goals. Register for AP, honors, and other challenging courses. Talk to your counselor about the tests you'll need for college admissions. Continue to prepare for the exams using the free tutorials in the College Test Prep section. Take the state-funded PSAT in October Update your High School Planner. Take "campus tours" of GA Colleges. Add interesting colleges to your list of My Colleges. Continue to pursue extracurricular activities such as clubs, sports, and volunteer activities. Talk to your family about savings plans and financing your college education.

FALL
Update your High School Planner.
Use the Planner Comparison to weigh your academic record against college entrance Requirements.
Discuss graduation requirements and college admissions requirements with your counselor.
Continue to take AP, honors, and other challenging courses.
Attend college fairs and financial aid workshops.
Take the PSAT again in October. Your score may qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship Program and will also give you practice which may increase your SAT test score.
Talk to your counselor about college admissions tests. Obtain schedules for the exams you will need to take.
Mark test dates, registration deadlines, and other important events in My Calendar.
Consider taking on leadership roles in your extracurricular activities.

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GAcollege411.org

H-23 (05/08)

SPRING
Take campus tours online or in person. Learn about preview programs and visitation procedures at GA Colleges. Narrow your list of My Colleges to about 6-8. Take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT, if required by your colleges of choice. Use the College Test Prep program to prepare for your college entrance exams. Research scholarships, loans, and grants in Paying for College. Talk with coaches about eligibility for college sports.
FALL
Review graduation requirements and your transcript with your high school counselor. Update your High School Planner. Take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests, ACT, ASSET, and/or Compass, depending on what your schools of interest require. Mark college admissions, financial aid, and scholarship application deadlines in My Calendar. Ask your counselor about scholarship opportunities. Find additional scholarship and financial aid information in Paying for College. Narrow your list of My Colleges to about 4-6. Write college admissions and scholarship essays. Edit, proofread, and rewrite your essays. Complete and submit college applications and transcripts. Ask your high school guidance counselor to send your transcript electronically to the colleges to which you have applied. If you have a definite first choice, consider applying early decision or early action. Print your Planner Summary and give it to your teacher/counselor when you request letters of recommendation. Contact financial aid offices at schools to which you have applied for school-specific scholarships and additional financial aid forms. If you are an athlete, send transcripts to NCAA for eligibility purposes. Remind your parents you will need current tax information in January for financial applications. Apply for a Dept. of Ed PIN for FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Check college deadlines to apply for on-campus housing.
SPRING
Complete and submit the FAFSA and GSFAPPS after January 1st online. If required, send mid-year grade reports to colleges to which you have applied. Compare acceptance letters, financial aid, and scholarship offers. Make your decision by May 1st as to which college you will attend. Inform other colleges to which you have applied about your decision to enroll elsewhere. Take AP and other exams. Ask your high school guidance counselor to send your transcript electronically to the colleges to which you have applied. Submit fees for tuition, room and board
For a more detailed, interactive approach to planning for college, use the Student Planner Timeline on GAcollege411.org.