Can you give me a timeline from freshman through senior year?

Start by gathering information – by visiting websites, conducting Internet searches, requesting information by mail, attending college fairs, and talking with friends and family who have gone through the process.

As you sort through the information, take note of what distinguishes one college or university from the next. For example, compare private vs. public, large vs. small, far from home vs. in your backyard, urban vs. rural etc. Divide the schools into categories and decide which basic profile appeals most to you. Then choose a school or two from each category to explore further.

Virtually all colleges and universities subscribe to certain rules specified by the National Association for College Admission Counseling. You should take a look at their free publication, Statement of Students’ Rights and Responsibilities, on their website to gain a better understanding of the process. You may also want to look directly at the NACAC website for other ideas.

Fall

• Join clubs and activities in area that interest you.
• Select a community service organization to volunteer with.
• Check out the standardized testing policies/opportunities at your school.

Spring

• Job shadow or participate in career day.
• Begin constructing a résumé.

• Look for leadership roles in clubs/activities.
• Continue your development of service activity.
• Testing
  • Research policies/opportunities at your school.
  • Take the PLAN.
  • Take the PSAT.
• Go to college fairs.

Spring

• Job shadow or participate in career day, if possible.
• Refine/revise/update your resume. Keep it simple!
• Review cost factors for college and investigate your options with your family.
• Begin to visit colleges when it is convenient.

September-October

• Demonstrate leadership and responsibility in community and school.
• Begin a list of characteristics/criteria that you are looking for in a school.
• Gather career information—job shadow or attend a career day.
• Try to link part-time job experiences with future college plans.
• Talk with college reps and ask them questions.
• Attend local evening information sessions about college that occur in your area.
• Go to college fairs.
• Discuss a testing plan with your counselor. Register, prepare for, and take the PSAT/NMSQT.
• Check out free scholarship searches.
• Make college visits strategically, based on your chosen characteristics/criteria.
• Begin to consider which teachers, moderators, or employers you might use if you need recommendations

March

• Make a list of colleges based on your search criteria; request information from them.
• SAT offered.
• Spring Break: visit colleges.
• Research scholarship opportunities.
• Discuss college finances with parents/guardians.
• Research the financial aid process.

April

• ACT offered.
• Attend college fairs.
• Athletes: sign up with NCAA Clearinghouse.
• Athletes: get NCAA Guide.
• Look for summer job opportunities or other growth-related activities such as summer camps on college campuses or volunteer work.

May

• SAT Reasoning Test offered.
• SAT Subject Tests offered.

June thru August

• ACT offered in June.
• SAT Reasoning Test offered in June.
• SAT Subject Tests - June
• Update your résumé.
• Refine your list of colleges; decide where you are going to apply.
• Save summer earnings for college.
• Request private scholarship applications.
• Request information, applications, etc. from your list of colleges.

September

• Meet with college representatives who visit your high school.
• Begin to file college applications.
• Keep copies of applications and forms sent to colleges and organize them in electronic or paper folders.
• Write essays.
• Line up recommendations, if needed. (Your résumé will be helpful here.)
• Send official test scores and transcripts to selected colleges.
• Check when college financial aid applications will become available.
• Look into a specific timeline for applying for college financial aid.
• Register for CSS/Financial Aid Profile if necessary (see your guidance counselor).
• Keep a checklist. BE AWARE OF DEADLINES!

October

• Finish and submit college applications (early decision, regular decision, and rolling admissions).
• ACT offered.

November

• SAT Reasoning Test offered.
• SAT Subject Tests offered.
• Get a FAFSA form from your counselor, or a college, or online on January 1. Apply for your PIN number.
• Prepare scholarship applications. BE AWARE OF DEADLINES.

December

• ACT offered.
• Receive Early Admission/Early Decision decisions (if you have applied under these plans).

January

• Have mid-year/7th semester transcripts sent, if necessary
• Rank schools where you've applied for preference
• Get all financial documents in order
• Attend local financial aid information night/workshop, if available (These begin in January and run through May.)

February thru March

• Keep grades up. It matters!
• Review financial aid packages, and mail supporting documents to the financial aid office if they have been requested (e.g., tax forms).
• Complete FAFSA before March 1, if possible.

April

• Visit schools where you have been accepted.
• Make your final decision. Mail your deposit and/or confirmation to ONE school no later than May 1.
• Notify, in writing, all schools where you applied of your decision.
• If wait-listed, contact the admissions office if you are still interested.
• Contact the financial aid office if you have any special financial aid circumstances.
• Make sure you meet all financial aid requirements.
• Notify colleges of any private scholarship awards.
• Review SAR (Student Aid Report) carefully, if received.
• Submit housing application/contracts.

May thru June

• May 1: National Response Day for college decisions.
• Request that final high school transcript to be sent to your chosen college.
• Follow procedure for college housing and orientation.
• Analyze projected first-year college budget.
• Check banking options in the town where your college is located.

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You might want to try these sites:

www.nacacnet.org
www.collegezone.com
www.makingitcount.com

Most colleges review a student’s high school grades, pattern of high school coursework, and ACT or SAT standardized test scores. Many schools look more closely at the individual student, often taking into account the level of participation in extracurricular activities, volunteerism, and working during high school. You should consult individual college websites to see exactly what is considered in the admissions decision. For some general information regarding college admission competition categories, see the chart below:

ADMISSION COMPETITION CATEGORIES

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There are numerous websites that allow prospective students to search for colleges based on a number of different criteria: size, location, programs offered, religious affiliation, tuition, etc. Most of these search tools are free of charge so take advantage of them. Here are a few to check out:

www.collegeview.com
www.petersons.com
www.collegeboard.com

There are many sources and you should ALWAYS look beyond the rankings. The more important issue is for students to investigate as many aspects as possible of a particular college experience. To understand how well a particular school will meet one’s educational and other needs requires as much information as possible. And certainly more information than a subjective ranking provides. One good idea is to compare and contrast colleges/universities based on your individual educational and personal needs.

Here are some web sources to investigate college rankings:

A Completely Different College Ranking Guide
America’s Best Colleges 2007
College & University Rankings
College Guides for Top 100 Colleges and Universities
College Rankings Guide (using 7 distinct indicators.)
College Rankings US News, and more
Flagler College Rankings
Peterson’s College Rankings
The New 2007 Best 361 Colleges Rankings on the Princeton Review
The Top Colleges
The Washington Monthly College Rankings
US News Rankings & Guides

Universities are principally engaged in the production of new knowledge and most often in research. Many say that the best colleges are really just small universities and the best universities are really just big, extremely efficient versions of liberal arts colleges. There are several types of colleges, offering both 2-year and 4-year programs. Most universities offer advanced degrees beyond the Bachelor’s, e.g., Master’s Degrees and Ph.D.s. Here are some examples of different types of colleges. Deciding the type of college that will be the best for you is a personal decision.

Four-year universities are plentiful in Illinois. There are 12 public state universities and many other private universities in Illinois.

Liberal arts colleges are usually undergraduate colleges that exist on their own campuses. Some of the earliest American universities such as Harvard, Yale, Dartmouth, and Columbia began as liberal arts colleges. These sites might help you understand more about liberal arts colleges.

The Nation’s Top Liberal Arts Colleges
The Annapolis Group

Community colleges offer a wide variety of certificate programs ranging in length from one semester to two years, along with Associate degrees which take two years (attending full-time) to complete. Associate of Arts or Associate of Science degrees prepare students to transfer to four-year colleges and universities. Admission to most community college programs is open, and tuition tends to be far less than that of four year colleges. There are approximately 40 community colleges in the State of Illinois. Check out this website if you wish to learn more.

Learning in Illinois - Community College Websites

Coed schools are the most popular, and more of them exist than single-sex schools. By far the majority of colleges and universities are coed. There are many more single-sex schools for women than men. There are no single-sex colleges or universities in Illinois.

Men's Colleges in the United States of America
Women's Colleges in the United States of America

Historically Black Colleges and Universities have published extensive information.

Listing of Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU)

Hispanic Serving Colleges and Universities. The Hispanic Association of Colleges & Universities (HACU) has 207 member Hispanic-Serving Institutions.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

Career or vocational schools. These typically focus on preparing students for specific jobs upon graduation. They may or may not offer traditional bachelor’s degrees.

Federal Trade Commission: Choosing a Career or Vocational School

Trade & technical schools perform similar roles.

onlytradeschools.com Directory

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Complete a self assessment to discover the important factors in your college choice. Next, compare and contrast colleges and universities based upon these factors. You can use checklists to assist in the comparison.

Princeton Review: Which School Is Right for You?

Helpful sites to conduct self assessments and college comparisons include:

College Board: College MatchMaker
ACT
Peterson's College and University Search
IllinoisMentor: Career Self-Assessment

College and universities broken down into categories and descriptions:

Princeton Review: Three Types of Colleges
College Board: College MatchMaker
Illinois Board of Higher Education: Institutions List By Sector

Check out these resources at your local library, book store, or high school guidance office. Of course, you can also find them online.

A Guide to the College Admission Process
Publisher: National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC)

Smart Parents Guide to College: The 10 Most Important Factors for Students and Parents to Know When Choosing a College
Publisher: Peterson’s

Internet Guide for College-Bound Students
Description: A fine college search starting point to find information pertaining to a particular institution, including financial aid, scholarships, and entrance exams.
Author: Kenneth E. Hartman
Publisher: The College Board

The College Admissions Mystique
Description: Offers a positive realism to the college admission process for those looking beyond the Ivy League while managing family expectations.
Author: Bill Mayer
Publisher: Noonday Press

Paying for College Without Going Broke
Description: Provides strategies to maximize financial aid and minimize college costs.
Publisher: Princeton Review

Going to College: How Social, Economic, and Educational Factors Influence the Decisions Students Make
Description: A powerful story of how high school students make choices about postsecondary education.
Authors: Don Hossler, Jack Schmit, and Nick Vesper
Publisher: John Hopkins University Press

Going to College…Without the Stress
Description: A humorous and easy to read book of advise on the college admission process. A great first read on the topic.
Author: Ted D. Kelly
Publisher: Xibris Corporation

College Board’s Book of Majors
Description: A guide where students can both learn about college majors and find out where they are offered.
Publisher: College Board

Colleges that Change Lives: 40 Schools that Will Change the Way You Think About Colleges
Description: Descriptions of 40 quality liberal arts colleges outside of the Ivy League.
Author: Loren Pope
Publisher: Penguin

Rugg’s Recommendations on the Colleges
Description: Time tested college guide containing 83 lists of colleges grouped by majors and divided into three levels of selectivity.
Author: Frederick E. Rugg
Publisher: Rugg’s Recommendation

Going Broke by Degree
Description: Economist, Richard Vedder, examines the causes of the college tuition crisis and explores ways to reverse this trend.
Author: Richard K. Vedder

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Institutions have a different policies regarding test scores. Most 4-year colleges and universities require applicants to submit results from either ACT or SAT. There are also schools that do not require either. If required, most schools will accept scores from either test, but some may prefer or even require one over the other. Before registering for the exams, find out what the policy is for each institution to which you are applying.

Remember to plan ahead and keep track of deadlines. Both ACT and SAT are administered on certain dates at designated locations throughout the country. It is highly recommended that you register early for the date and location that is most convenient for you. Late registrations are accepted based on availability, but you may be subject to an additional registration fee.

Some institutions award academic scholarships, and test results can be a factor in determining that scholarship amount. Most colleges and universities have application or scholarship deadlines. Plan to take the ACT/SAT well in advance of these deadlines to ensure your eligibility.

Visit the following websites for more information or to register for the next available test.

ACT
SAT

Sample questions and practice tests for both ACT & SAT are available on their websites.

ACT: Sample Tests
SAT: SAT Preparation Center

You can also purchase test prep workbooks online or at any book store.

Some students find success through test prep classes administered by individuals or companies such as Kaplan. To find out if these classes are offered in your area visit.

Kaplan Test Prep and Admissions
TestWatch TestPrep

Accreditation – A stamp of approval by an educational or professional organization stating that the college meets the regulations determined by this group. Each section of the country has its own accrediting organization: Southern, Middle-Atlantic, New England, Midwestern, Northeastern and Western. Some graduate or professional schools will require that you graduate in a specially-accredited program. Check with your advisor for more details on this situation.

Advisor – A member of the teaching faculty or professional advising staff who advises students on course selections and curriculum concerns.

Attrition – The rate of withdrawal of students from an institution before they attain degrees.

Award Letter – A document sent by the college financial aid office to admitted students indicating the type and amount of aid available at that college.

Course Load – The number of credit-hours the student is permitted to schedule in a given semester or quarter. This is usually 12-18 hours on a semester, and 12-16 hours on a quarter system.

Dependent Student – This is a specific financial aid definition established by the federal government and explained on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). In general, a student under 24 years of age who does not have dependents or is not a veteran is considered dependent.

Early Admission – Acceptance of an exceptionally bright student for enrollment in college without high school graduation. The student usually begins college after his/her junior year of high school. Admission is generally highly selective.

Early Decision – Admission is based on the freshman through junior year academic record and test results. The college guarantees a decision several months before that of regular applicants. If admitted, students must withdraw their applications from other institutions and attend the institution applied to. Students should only apply for Early Decision if they are 100% certain that this college is their #1 choice. This is a binding agreement between the college and the student.

Expected Family Contribution – Calculated from information provided on the FAFSA, this number is used to determine financial aid eligibility.

F-1 Visa – Most commonly used visa for international student admission to the United States on student status.

FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) – This is a form created by the United States Department of Education which collects personal and financial information used to determine eligibility for federal and state student aid. It includes student loans and campus-based work programs. The application is available on paper or online (the preferred method for completion), and may be filled out after January 1 of the student’s senior year in high school.

Grant – A grant is a gift aid which does not have to be repaid.

IB (International Baccalaureate) – The International Baccalaureate program is an internationally recognized program through which secondary students complete a comprehensive curriculum of rigorous study and demonstrate performance on IB examinations.

Illinois Student Assistance Commission (ISAC) – The agency that administers the Illinois Monetary Award Program (MAP) and specialized state and federal grant programs.

Loans – Money provided to students or parents which must be repaid. Generally, federal student loans have low interest rates, allow for 10 years or more for repayment, and have options to defer payment for graduate school attendance, during periods of unemployment, and under other special circumstances.

Merit-Based Aid – This type of financial aid is based on special talent or ability. Scholarship awards, contests, competitions administered by colleges or by private organizations are a few examples of merit-based aid.

Monetary Award Program (MAP) – Grant administered by the Illinois Student Assistance Commission, based on financial need and Illinois residency, may be used at approved Illinois colleges, universities, and post-secondary institutions to cover expenses of tuition and mandatory fees, but not room and board.

Pell Grant – A federal grant determined by information provided on the FAFSA. The Pell Grant may be used to pay tuition, fees, room and board, and other educational expenses. Since it is a federal grant, it may be used to attend college in any state

PIN – A personal identification number is required by both the parent and the student to complete the FAFSA online. A PIN number may be obtained from the U.S. Department of Education's PIN website.

Retention – This is the number of students who persist at a college until they complete their degrees or meet their educational goals.

Student Aid Report (SAR) – A student’s official notification that the Department of Education has reviewed and analyzed the student’s FAFSA.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) – The test uses multiple choice format to measure the ability to understand North American English.

Trimester – Division of the academic year into three parts, each term being 10 1⁄2 weeks in duration. Students usually attend two of the three terms.

Work Study – A federal campus-based program for students who demonstrate financial need. Work-study programs permit a student to work on campus to help pay college costs.

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The college essay may vary from college to college. The college may ask a specific question: e.g., "If you could ask only one question to one influential person, who would that person be and what would the question be?" Answer these types of questions creatively. Some colleges may ask for a personal statement. Talk about your interests, why this particular college is important to you, and mention extracurricular activities and community service work. If you are writing a college essay for consideration to academic probation, mention anything specific that may have interfered with your academics. Do not use problems as an excuse but rather as a learning experience.