High School Timeline

Freshman Year 

• Ask yourself what you value and what are your best qualities? 

• Chose extracurriculars that are aligned with your values and best qualities-get involved!! 

• Get to know your guidance counselor and teachers 

• Create good study habits and prioritize your grades- you are laying the foundation for what classes you will be eligible to take in the future, and this will matter! 

• Map out your four-year plan 

• Find ways to volunteer in your community 

• Explore your interests

Sophmore Year

• Reflect on your freshman year: 

• What went well? 

• What will you do differently? 

• What do you wish you had done? 

• What did you learn about yourself? 

• Ask yourself what you value and what are your best qualities? 

• Continue with activities that align with your values and goals 

• Take challenging classes that will help you decide what you want to pursue in college 

• Continue to build relationships with your counselor and teachers 

• Review your 4-year plan and adjust if needed 

• Make a meaningful plan for your summer- employment is meaningful! 

Junior Year 

• Reflect on your sophmore year: 

• What went well? 

• What will you do differently? 

• What do you wish you had done? 

• What did you learn about yourself? 

• Ask yourself what you value and what are your best qualities? 

• Take leadership roles in activities that align with your values and goals 

• This is a big year academically-continue with challenging classes 

• Prepare for and take standardized tests 

• Begin to tour college campuses  

• Identify and maybe ask a teacher for a letter of recommendation- this should be a teacher who taught a core academic class during your junior year 

• Make summer goals to be engaged in meaningful activities, tour campuses and begin your college applications.

Summer before Senior Year:

This is the time to do some serious reflection, research and preparation for your applications.  If you take this opportunity to be intentional and thoughtful, your application process will be much easier!

• Finalize your college list 

• This should include schools that are a reach, match, and likely to admit for you 

• You should be happy to go to ANY of the schools on your list- don’t waste your time, money and the time of an admissions officer if you have no intention of accepting an offer 

• You are looking to find the best fit for YOU, that is what will make it a good school 

• WRITE down your thoughts on these questions: 

• What do you want your academic experience to be? 

• What do you want your social experience to be? 

• What type of campus support is important to you? 

• What financial considerations are in play? 

• What do you want the physical campus to offer? 

• Size 

• Location 

• Urban/ Self-contained campus 

• Have an open mind 

• Search for colleges that fit your criteria and visit the ones you can 

• Be open to schools you may not have considered 

• Talk to student to hear their experiences 

• Remember that social media is a highlight reel and does not represent the totality of the college experience 

• The Common App historically opens on August 1^st 

• Fill out your personal and family information 

• Complete your activities list 

• Read the essay prompts and begin your pre-writing exercises 

• Complete Personal Statement before classes begin 

• Create an application strategy to include Early Decision and Early Action deadlines

Senior Year

• Reflect on your junior year: 

• What went well? 

• What will you do differently? 

• What do you want to do before graduation? 

• What did you learn about yourself? 

• Ask yourself what you value and what are your best qualities? 

• Take on more leadership roles in the school community 

• Continue with activities that align with your values and goals 

• Take challenging classes that align with your potential major 

• Attend college fairs and connect with admissions counselors 

• Take standardized tests 

• Secure letters of recommendation 

• Complete supplemental essays  

• Submit applications and supporting documentation 

• Monitor admissions decisions and chose the right fit for YOU