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College Counseling » College Timetable

College Timetable

College Planning Timeline …

(Lots of information in this printout.)

Freshman and Sophomore Years

  • Create a file for all of your records
  • Keep academic records and lists of awards, honors, and activities at school and in the community
  • Participate in extracurricular activities, academic programs, summer camps and workshops. Add this to your record of activities and awards/honors.
  • Start thinking about the colleges you want to attend – Create lists of colleges and universities
  • Gather information about the colleges from their Web sites
  • Request brochures and applications
  • Take the PLAN
  • Answer the ACT Question of the Day and the SAT Question of the Day

Junior Year

  • Plan to visit one of the three “Get2College” Centers. These centers help Mississippi students plan for college.   The website is www.get2college.org
  • Answer the ACT Question of the Day and the SAT Question of the Day
  • Research colleges and universities. Develop a list of schools to which you may want to apply. Check the websites of schools and request literature. Start thinking about the characteristics of colleges that appeal to you in order to help make your selection.  Next year, you will narrow this list down
  • Take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT), which is given in October. Besides helping you practice for the ACT and SAT, high scores can qualify you for lots of scholarship money
  • Prepare diligently to take the ACT and/or SAT. Thorough preparation is the best way to ensure success. You should take these once or twice in your junior year so that you have time to retake them in the fall of your senior year, if necessary. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see if the ACT Writing Section is required.
  • Check with college admissions to see if SAT Subject Tests are required. Take these tests while the subjects are fresh in your mind.
  • Go to Pillow Academy’s College Night. Collect information and talk to representatives from colleges, universities, and military.
  • Begin to research financial aid sources and the availability of scholarships. Some scholarships have deadlines in the junior year.
  • Estimate your financial aid eligibility. By using FAFSA4caster, you and your family will receive an early estimate of your eligibility for federal student aid. Log on to www.fafsa.gov to begin.
  • Earn the best grades possible. This is the last chance you will have to bring up your cumulative GPA for college applications.
  • Use each college’s Net Price or True Cost Calculator to help you estimate your financial aid and scholarships for that particular school.
  • Use your Facebook and other social media to represent yourself in a positive manner. College admissions staff may look at it as part of your review.
  • Work on your résumé! Compile a list of all your accomplishments, activities, athletics, awards, honors and work experience (both volunteer and paid) from your first three years of high school. This will be used for college admissions, applications, scholarships, etc.
  • Summer jobs or other summer educational experiences will help you explore your career interests and will provide leadership skills.

Senior Year

  • Visit one of the three “Get2College” Centers. These centers help Mississippi students plan for college. The website is www.get2college.org  (see print out for locations.)
  • Answer  the ACT Question of the Day and the SAT Question of the Day
  • The Federal Trade Commission has established a section to help avoid Scholarship and Financial Aid Scams – Click for details.
  • Print the senior timeline: Timeline for Seniors: