Educational Futures

Recommended College Planning Timetable/Checklist

For a pdf version of this checklist, click here.
Fall of Penultimate Year
Action Item Completed
Complete Interview Format and Assessment Exercises. Send copies of all school records from past three years and standardized test results to Educational Futures.  
Discuss Future Planning Report with parents and Educational Futures  
Take the PSAT and ACT in October  
Register for the spring SAT/ACT series  
Spring/Summer
Action Item Completed
Take the January SAT Reasoning Test  
Receive College Search Worksheet from Educational Futures. Begin to research colleges.  
Take the April ACT, May SAT Reasoning Test and the June SAT/ACT Subject Tests  
Begin Standardized Test Prep Program outlined in Educational Futures Summer Prep instructions  
Contact college admission offices to schedule personal interviews and campus tours  
Review college visit list with Educational Futures  
Send Test Prep Tracking Sheet and draft essays to Educational Futures.  Begin the Common Application.  
Register for October SAT Reasoning Test  
International students: contact your local Regional Registration Center to register for the TOEFL during the month of October  
September
Action Item Completed
Meet with your counselor to review and refine your preliminary list of colleges  
Finalize Common Application and refine drafts of two or more college essays  
International students: contact your local Regional Registration Center to register for the TOEFL during the month of November  
Register for the October ACT Tests with the optional Writing section, if applicable  
Register for the November SAT Subject Tests  
Register for the December SAT Reasoning Test (optional)  
Request letters of recommendation from teachers  
October
Action Item Completed
Prepare and review application essays with your counsel and/or English teacher  
Prepare Early Decision/Action application, if applicable  
Continue working on Common Application supplements and other college applications  
Take the SAT Reasoning Test  
Take the ACT, if applicable  
International students take the TOEFL  
November
Action Item Completed
Request and review a copy of your Transcript (Summary of Academic Results)  
Take the SAT Subject Tests  
International students take the TOEFL  
Register for January SAT Reasoning Test (if necessary)  
Continue work on applications  
Final drafts of colleges essays to Educational Futures  
Send first term grades to Educational Futures  
International students contact your local Regional Registration Center to register for the TOEFL during the month of January (if necessary)  
December
Action Item Completed
Take the SAT Reasoning Test  
Check deadlines and complete college applications  
Talk with students returning for the holidays about their college experience  
Obtain Financial Aid forms from counselors as appropriate  
Submit college applications as appropriate for December deadlines  
Request official test results be sent to colleges by the Educational Testing Service  
January-March
Action Item Completed
Send first semester grades to colleges  
International students take the TOEFL  
Take the SAT Reasoning Test, if necessary  
Deadlines for most college applications  
March-April
Action Item Completed
Notification of decisions on college applications  
April-May
Action Item Completed
Visit colleges offering admission (if possible)  
May 1 - Common Reply date; accept offer, withdraw other applications