You can help your high school student make college and career planning decisions
wisely by helping you understand college planning process.
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Beginning
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You Should
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Freshman and sophomore years
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Learn about college requirements and explore careers.
- Know which high school courses satisfy college requirements.
- Create a four-year high school curriculum plan.
- Review your Test results.
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September–March of junior year
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Think about reasons for going to college
- Talk with parents and a school counselor about career goals and college plans.
- Try talking with an adult who has an interesting job.
- Get involved at school and in the community.
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January–March of junior year
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Identify important factors in choosing a college; prepare for a college admission
tests
- Think about college preferences such as two-year or four-year, location, cost, kind
of atmosphere, the variety of study programs available, and entrance test requirements.
- Locate and consult college guidebooks.
- Explore colleges on the Internet.
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March–August of junior year
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List possible college choices and collect information about each one; take the appropriate
college admission test(s)
- Attend college fairs and college night programs.
- Visit colleges.
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August–December of senior year
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Compare college choices
- Weigh the advantages and disadvantages of each college carefully.
- Determine which colleges meet his or her needs.
- Continue visiting colleges.
- Organize information into detailed, useful comparisons.
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September–December of senior year
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Apply for admission to "choice" colleges
- Obtain application forms.
- Observe deadlines.
- Submit high school records and test scores (retest if necessary).
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January–February of senior year
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Apply for financial aid
- Consult financial aid office.
- Secure forms and note deadlines.
- Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1.
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November–May of senior year
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Make some final decisions
- Confer with parents and counselors about final decision.
- Confirm his or her decision, and decline other admission offers.
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