High School Timetable

Things to Save

• Transcripts or report cards of high school grades.
• Admission tickets to standardized tests, such as the SAT.
• All standardized test score reports.
• Working copy of the FAFSA and all other financial aid forms.
• College Scholarship Services (CSS) acknowledgment form.
• A list of extracurricular programs you’ve participated in, and your accomplishments in each — this may include special program certificates, such as science symposium and competition certificates of participation.
• Cancelled checks or money order receipts.
• Copies of guidance office checklists and/or newsletters.
• Copies of all correspondence sent to or received from schools, including applications and acceptances.

• Begin taking basic science and math classes.
• Explore the math, science or health enrichment opportunities in your school or community.
• Meet with your guidance counselor to talk about the health or science careers that interest you. Design a curriculum of college-bound courses.
• Begin exploring internet websites for information on health careers.
• Create a resume of extracurricular activities and keep it updated.

• Continue taking science and math classes.
• Make appointments in October and January with your counselor to discuss career plans.
• If considering military assistance, contact your local recruiting office.
• Consider part-time, summer, or volunteer activities that relate to a health career of your interest.
• Research hospital training programs.
• Consider entering a Health Occupation Student Organization (HOSA) if available.
• Begin working on college application essays.
• Start exploring college websites that offer the health career of your choice.
• Practice taking Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT).

• Take advanced science and math classes.
• Volunteer in a science or health-related setting and keep a log of your activities.
• Get involved in school activities with leadership opportunities.
• Research the admission requirements for the colleges and universities that interest you.
• Set up a calendar for taking tests and completing college applications. If you can’t afford the exam fees, ask your guidance counselor about fee waivers.
• Meet with your counselor to confirm that you are taking appropriate courses to meet college entrance requirements.
• Attend meetings concerning financial aid or college admissions held in your town.
• Ask a counselor to help find lists of scholarships and begin research.
• Think about people who might write you a recommendation, starting with teachers, counselors and employers.
• In October, register for and take the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (NMSQT).
• In January, discuss your family’s financial resources and review plans for financial aid. The family income during this calendar year is used to determine whether you qualify for federal financial aid.
• Determine if schools on your list offer early admission, and note their deadlines.
• Review standardized test scores with your guidance counselor, and inquire whether the school offers a free opportunity to take either the SAT or ACT. Retake tests if necessary.
• Begin narrowing your list of schools and potential scholarship opportunities.
• See your counselor about available summer enrichment programs.
• Visit selected college campuses and talk to graduates and students at the institutions.

• Continue with advanced science and math classes.
• Maintain or improve academic grades. College officials look unfavorably upon failing grades and reduced or less rigorous academic loads during the senior year.
• Meet with guidance counselor to determine if you are meeting all the admission requirements.
• Set up a calendar for taking the PSAT and completing college applications.
• Talk with college representatives when they visit your school.

October and November

• Apply to colleges with different admission requirements (least selective to most selective).
• Ask your guidance counselor to look over your applications and discuss the next steps in applying to college.
• See your guidance counselor about completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). 
• Colleges require that students requesting financial aid provide the FAFSA, including the part that explains any unusual financial circumstances.
• Check your school’s website for standardized testing deadlines and scholarship information.
• Check military academy and ROTC applications and scholarship deadlines if appropriate.
• Make a note of each school’s application deadline. If using the Common App, each school’s application deadline should be listed there as well.
• Start working on applications, prioritizing schools with earlier application deadlines.

December

• Give your guidance counselor all required forms (such as high school transcripts, new senior year report cards, letter of recommendation) at least two weeks before they are due because November and December are very busy months for counselors.
• Use the winter break to finalize all applications.

January

• As soon as possible after January 1, submit the FAFSA.

February

• Ask your counselor to send any new grades and/or report cards to colleges, along with any other information not already forwarded. Note that some colleges provide forms for this purpose and some do not.

March

• Recheck college websites and see your counselor to make sure that you have met all application requirements. Some schools may accept applications into the late spring.

April, May and June

• Keep a record of acceptances, rejections, and financial aid awards.
• Make sure to meet all of the reply deadlines, or you may lose the admission acceptance or financial aid you have earned.
• Before you leave school in June, see your counselor to request that a final transcript be sent to the college or university.