Student Timeline for College Admission
FROM THE BEGINNING OF FRESHMAN YEAR:
Participate in school activities and organizations.
Look for opportunities for leadership and community service.
Start a student profile of activities and honors. Save it to a disk to be updated yearly.
Take the most challenging course load you can. The pay off will be higher SAT/ACT scores.
Study hard. Grades start counting from day one in high school. Better grades equal higher class
rank and your class rank is a major factor in college admission.
SOPHOMORE YEAR:
Take PSAT in October (a practice SAT.)
Discuss careers and college majors with parents and mentors.
Explore college choices on the internet and visit campuses.
Prepare for SAT/ACT by taking the most rigorous courses you can handle.
Continue school activity involvement and volunteer work. Update student profile.
JUNIOR YEAR:
FALL
Take PSAT (October)
Attend Tyler area College Night
SPRING
Take an SAT I or ACT in spring semester (fee waivers are available for students with need.)
Take SAT II (Subject Tests) in late spring or June if you are considering a school that requires them.
Narrow college choices to a short list. Visit websites for admission information & deadlines.
Continue school activity involvement. Update student profile.
SENIOR YEAR:
FALL
Check admissions, housing & scholarship deadlines for schools still on your list
(Many are as early as November.)
Get organized. Mark your calendar with deadline alerts. Make files for each school &
scholarships
Take SAT I or ACT again if necessary (to try for higher score) and SAT II if needed.
Make sure SAT/ACT scores have been forwarded to colleges in which you have interest.
Call or e-mail financial aid office for campus scholarship/financial aid packet.
Visit REL College and Career Center (Mayor’s COOL Program) for help with scholarship search.
Prepare to do taxes early. (FAFSA (financial aid form) requires figures from completed tax return.)
Update and fine-tune your student profile. Don't forget to include community service,
volunteering, summer enrichment study/travel, and part time work.
SPRING
Complete and mail FAFSA (federal financial aid form) as early as possible in February.
Watch and listen for scholarship announcements and deadlines.
Visit REL College & Career Center or your counselor for help with scholarship applications.
Take THEA if you are attending a Texas public college or university. (Check with your counselor
to see if your TAKS, ACT, or SAT scores exempt you from this test.)
Wait for decisions from institutions. Make final decision and notify college of your choice.