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| School of Medicine Home > Departments > SMYSP > Families, Mentors & Educators |
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The college application process contains many steps, and you actually begin the process the day you start high school. Everything you do in high school, from choosing an extracurricular activity to working hard in your classes, can help you distinguish yourself in your college applications. High School Academic TimelineThis page contains a High School Academic Timeline that will help you figure out what steps you need to take and when you need to take them in order to gain acceptance to the college of your choice. Pay special attention to suggested test dates. 9th GradeGet involved in activities. This is the best time to explore clubs and sports at your school and to take advantage of volunteer opportunities in your community. Find a couple of activities that really interest you and get involved. For future reference, start a written record, or resume, of the things you have done. Keep adding the jobs, activities and community service you complete throughout high school to your resume. Make sure you note any leadership roles you hold or special accomplishments you achieve. Manage Your Time. Some activities, such as sports teams and volunteer activities like tutoring may require up to 10 or more hours a week. Others, such as academic clubs or different volunteer activities, may require only a couple of hours a week. It's up to you to manage your time so that you balance your energy between academics and other commitments.
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Stay Involved in Activities. If you still haven't found something that you really like, keep exploring. Consider taking on a leadership role in an organization or activity that you enjoy.
Visit a College Fair in your Local Area. These are usually sponsored by high schools and are free to attend. At college fairs, representatives from different colleges are available to talk about the different opportunities their schools can provide you. Ask your counselor for more information, or call the admissions office of a local college to ask if they know of any upcoming college fairs in your area.
Prepare for the SAT. Search libraries or bookstores for books about how to prepare for the SAT. Set aside time each week to study and take practice tests. If you have trouble with a particular section of the test, now is the time to approach a teacher or counselor to ask for help.
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11th Grade
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September
Get Involved in School Activities. Choose activities that are meaningful to you and stay involved as long as you can maintain a balance between your schoolwork and extracurricular activities.
Talk to Your Counselor About the PSAT. This is when the study preparation you've been doing for the SAT pays off. Ask your school counselor or a teacher about how you can sign up to take the PSAT at your school. The test is usually offered in October, and is important because your score may help you qualify for certain college scholarships.
October
Take the PSAT. On your PSAT test form make sure to mark the box requesting information from colleges to be sent to your home address. By requesting this information, you will be able to learn about many colleges, including schools you might not have known about.
November – December
Gather College Information. Begin gathering information about different colleges by talking to your counselor, teachers and other adults and college graduates/students you know. Browse through college books in libraries and bookstores that list colleges. Browse college Web sites and try to get a sense of what each offers academically as well as socially.
January – June
Visit Another College Fair to find out more about different college options.
Visit More Colleges. By the end of the school year, try to visit at least three different colleges to get an idea of college life and programs and services. Here are some ways you can make a college visit happen:
- Call college admissions offices to ask about college tours and informational meetings.
- If you know people in college, ask them if you can stay with them for a weekend to tour their school.
- Walk around a college campus on your own time. Be sure to visit the library to get a sense of how many resources like computers and study areas are available to students.
Begin Researching Scholarship Options. Sources for scholarships can be found in the Types of Financial Aid section.
March
Work Hard in Your Classes. Continue to try to get good grades to improve your chances of getting into college. Look for opportunities to demonstrate your skills. If you qualify, sign up to take the Advanced Placement tests at your school. Sign up to take the SAT I in May, and ask your school counselor how you can get a fee waiver so you don't have to pay to take the SAT.
April
Sign Up to Take the SAT II in June. Most colleges require you to complete the math and writing sections of this test plus one other subject of your own choosing. Make sure you select an academic subject you like and have performed well in academically.
May
Take the SAT I Test.
June
Take the SAT II Test. The SAT II is comprised of three separate tests, all of which are an hour long. You need to complete all three parts of the SAT II, but you can take one, two or all three in one seating or take each one at a different time. It's your choice. If you are unhappy with your score, you have the opportunity to take one, two or all three tests again in the fall.
July
Write, Call or E-mail Colleges for Applications. You can also ask a counselor in your high school about which college applications will be available from your school and when. Or you can download applications from college Web sites.
Continue to Visit Colleges. Visit as many of the schools to which you are applying for admittance as possible. The admissions offices tend to be less busy in the summer, and this is a good time to call and schedule an appointment with admissions counselors.
August
Photocopy College Applications. Make extra copies of your college applications so that if you make a mistake or want to change something later you can just use another copy. Make a folder for each college and write the application deadlines on the front cover of each folder.
Begin Working on your College Essays. Be sure to have your resume handy as you fill out your college applications or college essays so you can easily identify your special interests or accomplishments. Remember to include any leadership positions you may have held or any special accomplishments you’ve achieved.
Decide Whether You Will Take the SAT Again. Review your SAT scores and decide if you want to take the test again to improve your scores. Look up the remaining test dates on the ETS Web site and decide when you want to retake the test. You may have to register for the test well in advance, so be sure to check the dates early! Remember to budget in enough study time before taking the test again to significantly improve your score.
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12th Grade
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September – October
Finalize a List of Six to Eight Colleges to Which You Will Apply. Make a list of all the deadlines you will need to meet. Talk with your counselor about fee waivers and write to the colleges themselves to request waivers for the application fees.
Take the SAT Again (if necessary). Consult your counselor if you need to request fee waivers for the test.
Register to Take Three SAT II Subject Tests. These should be completed by November or December. December is the last month the SAT I and II will be offered for students interested in enrolling in college for fall of the following year. Talk with your counselor about getting fee waivers for these tests.
Continue to Work on Your College Essay. Find a teacher, parent or counselor or current college student you trust to proofread your essay and help you revise or improve it.
Ask for Letters of Recommendation. Depending on what your application requires, ask your teachers, counselors or employers to write letters of recommendation for you that describe your interests and skills. See the Requesting Letters of Recommendation section for suggestions about whom you should ask to write a letter and how you should ask them.
Request Transcripts. Ask your counselor to send your high school transcript to the colleges to which you are applying and also ask that s/he fill out a Secondary School Report.
Continue to Search for Scholarships. Find more scholarships that match your background and interests and apply for these. You can find many resources for scholarships on our Financial Aid Web page.
November – December
Submit College Applications. Be sure to submit your applications before their deadlines. College application deadlines can range from anywhere between November 30 and April 15. Make a photocopy of everything you send.
Compete Financial Aid Applications. Get your parents'/guardians' income tax information for financial aid forms. Submit financial aid applications by the deadlines (often January 1).
January
Get a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form. Get your FAFSA from your counselor or from a college financial aid office. You can also complete the FAFSA form online at Fafsa.org. Complete and send in the FAFSA as soon as possible.
Submit a College Scholarship Service Profile. Check with the colleges to which you are applying to see if you need to submit a College Scholarship Service Profile. If so, submit it as soon as possible.
February – March
Make Sure Your Mid-Year School Report Was Sent. Confirm with your counselor that your mid-year school report was sent to the colleges to which you are applying.
Make Sure Colleges Received Your Application. Colleges usually send a card verifying they received your application. If you have not heard anything from the colleges to which you applied, call the admissions office to ensure that your file is complete.
Take Advanced Placement Tests (If You Qualify). Ask your counselor about what you must do to register for Advanced Placement (AP) tests and ask about fee waivers for these tests.
April
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Wait for College Decisions. You should receive offers of admission around April 1. Find out if you can visit any of the colleges where you were accepted. Often, colleges have some funds to help students with transportation costs.
Review Financial Aid Packages. Financial aid offers come in soon after your acceptance letters arrive. Compare these offers against one another and determine how much it will cost you to attend the different colleges to which you were accepted. Remember to factor in room and board, food and transportation costs. Call the college's financial aid office if you have any questions or feel that the amount of aid offered to you is not adequate to meet your needs. Sometimes, colleges can adjust the amount of aid they offer; it cannot hurt to ask.
May
Make Your College Decision. Notify the colleges as to whether you will be accepting or rejecting their offers of admission. Do not accept more than one offer.
What Should You Do If You Are Wait Listed? If you are placed on a wait list at a school that you really want to attend, don't panic. You can still accept admission at a secondary college and remain on the first school's list. The college that has wait-listed you will notify you during the summer as to whether they will be able to admit you after all. If this happens, you must decide which school you most want to attend. Remember, being on a college's wait list does not obligate you to attend that school if it decides to admit you.
Send Necessary Forms to the College You Will Attend. Arrange with your counselor for your final transcript to be sent to the college you will attend. Send in any necessary forms, such as housing and medical forms. Some colleges will ask you for a deposit to guarantee your housing. In some cases, your financial aid will cover this cost.
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Choosing the Right Classes
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High school offers many opportunities for students, both in terms of classes and activities. It's important to choose a balance of these that you can handle successfully and will help you reach your goals. Your schedule should allow time for your academics, home and social life, extracurricular activities and for applying to college(s).
If you need help setting up a schedule that lets you pursue the classes and activities you need for college while still allowing you time for home and work responsibilities, you should discuss your options with a counselor, teacher or other adult. High school is a time to challenge yourself, but you should also leave yourself some time for fun!
Kinds of Classes
There are many different levels of high school classes you can take. The following is a list of the kinds of classes that are best for preparing yourself for college.
College-prep classes: These are high school courses that will prepare you for college coursework. You need to take classes at this level to satisfy many colleges' entry requirements.
Honors classes: These classes are advanced level, and are typically more challenging than college-prep classes. Honors classes also prepare you for college.
Advanced Placement (AP) classes: These classes are the most challenging level of classes that you can take in high school. The coursework resembles that of college-level classes. After completing the class, students take a test at the end of the year that, if passed, may give you a college transfer credit or may qualify you to take college freshman classes at an advanced level.
If your school does not offer many advanced classes, look into taking classes at a local community college. These credits can often be transferred to your high school or can count as college credit when you begin college. Talk with your counselor about these possibilities. The cost is usually minimal.
Classes You Should Take
Challenge yourself! When you plan your coursework, it is a good idea to try to take the most challenging level of classes that you can do well in. If the choice is between getting an "A" in an easier class and working hard to get a "B" in a more difficult class, you might want to challenge yourself and take the more difficult class. However, if you feel that your current courses are already challenging and you are working hard to get good grades, taking a more difficult class might not be your best option.
College-bound students should try to take the extra science, mathematics and foreign language classes that may not be a high school graduation requirement, but are sought by college admissions offices. It is always worthwhile to take a college-preparatory elective instead of a less academic elective.
If Necessary, Change Classes!
If you feel your classes are too easy for you, talk with your teacher or counselor to see if it is possible to switch into a more difficult class. It can be difficult to change classes; doing this might entail taking a placement test or going to summer school, but it may be possible and, if you really want to take a class of a different level, talk with your teacher or advisor to see if he or she can help. Try to get to know your counselor and/or advisor well. Stop by his/her office or make an appointment to talk so that he/she can learn something about you. Knowing your counselor can help you when it comes to issues like getting into college-prep classes.
Improving Your Grades
If you find your high school academic preparation is not as strong as you would like, taking community college classes during the school year or the summer is a good way to strengthen your academic record and even get ahead in the classes you will be taking at a four-year college or university.
If you're worried that you haven't taken challenging enough courses up to this point, you can turn that around in the rest of your time at high school and catch up later by going to a community college for a year or two and then transferring to a four-year college to finish your bachelor's degree.
Meeting College Requirements
In California, there is a system of A-G Curriculum requirements that monitors whether you are taking the right classes to be eligible to go to college. Although high school requirements vary from state to state (check with your counselor for more details), the A-G curriculum is a very good guideline for the high school classes you should be planning to take if you want to go to college anywhere in the United States. If you have not been able to fulfill these requirements, check into possibilities for taking these classes in your remaining time in high school, during summer school or at a community college.
Note: You should always meet or exceed the number of required years in each subject. You will have the best chance of getting into your preferred college if you spend the extra time in high school taking the recommended years in each subject. It is worth the extra work.
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The A-G Curriculum A. History/Social Science — Two years required.
B. English — Four years required.
C. Mathematics — Three years required; four years recommended.
D. Laboratory Science — Two years required; three years recommended.
E. Foreign Language (not English) — Two years required; three years recommended.
F. Visual and Performing Arts — One year. G. Electives from A-G Prep Courses — One year required, two years recommended.
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This outline is a very good guide as you look ahead to the classes you will be taking for the rest of high school and for evaluating the classes you have already taken. If you get a "D" or "F" in a class, check with your guidance counselor to see if you can repeat the class to get a better grade. This will prove to colleges your determination and willingness to work hard.
In some cases you may have the option to drop a class if you know that you will not be able to do well. Try taking the class over again the next semester or during the summer, and seek help from teachers, classmates or tutors.
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Building Powerful Study Skills
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There are some basic study tips that can help you do your best in your coursework. Each person has his or her own way of studying, and knowing how you use your time will help you study more effectively and be more efficient. Read these sections in order to discover some study skills that can help you while you are in school.
Define Your Priorities. Make a list of your priorities for how you spend your time: schoolwork, paid work, volunteering, childcare, etc. Be sure to include leisure-time activities, such as spending time with friends or watching TV.
Study Time. Set aside times to study when you know you will be most effective. For example, if you get tired after 9 p.m., try to finish your work before then. If you are most creative in the early morning hours, write the first draft of your papers then.
Assignment Calendar. Make a monthly calendar of all your major assignments that are due each term. A monthly calendar will help you plan ahead and prepare for major assignments.
Managing Assignments. Major assignments can become manageable when you break them down into smaller pieces. Try to stay ahead instead of falling behind. Be sure to talk with your instructor early on if you don't understand or are having trouble with an assignment, if you want some feedback on your initial work, or if you foresee that you will need some extra time. Most teachers are impressed if you approach them early on with any issues you may have.
Working on Assignments. Try to vary your work; working on the same thing for a long time can be tiresome and might make you work less efficiently. Take periodic breaks to stay alert, and eat something every few hours to help maintain your focus.
Motivation. As you study, remember your academic success will help create career opportunities for you. Set short-term goals and reward yourself in small ways when you reach them.
Make Use of Free Time During the Day. Free time during the day can be an ideal time to study, use the library, talk with your instructors, go to the tutoring center or have a study group. Try to find a quiet place where your work can continue without interruptions.
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Exploring Extracurricular Activities
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Your involvement in extracurricular activities demonstrates your interests outside of school and your ability to make a commitment. Trying new activities is helpful, but it is also important to dedicate yourself to an activity you enjoy for an extended period of time, like joining a sports team or a school club. An after-school job or responsibility, such as a paper route or caring for an elderly relative, is considered an extracurricular activity. Here is some information to help you start finding extracurricular activities:
What is an Extracurricular Activity?
Extracurricular activities are what you do outside of the classroom. Extracurricular activities are important because they teach you values and skills to help you achieve your future career goals. An extracurricular activity is not only a sport or other school activity; working part-time or taking care of your siblings after school are also extracurricular activities. If you are able to choose how you spend your time outside of school and would like to get involved in an extracurricular activity, look for something that you enjoy and that will help you achieve your goals. Volunteering for an organization or a business that interests you or working after school are good ways to spend your time and learn skills that can help you in the future.
Types of Extracurricular Activities
- Athletics
- School clubs
- Student government
- Working in a hospital/clinic
- Youth groups at community centers
- Church activities
- Part-time jobs
- Volunteer work
- Helping at home
- Tutoring
How to Find Out About Extracurricular Activities
Good sources to help you find possible extracurricular activities are the following:
- Your high school
- Community centers and organizations, such as the YMCA/YWCA
- Friends
- Family members
- Other adults
- Local colleges
- Clinics and hospitals
- Non-profit groups, such as environmental groups
- Social service agencies
- Church or Temple
Start Your Own Activity
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If you cannot find what you are looking for, like a health career club, you can always look into starting a group or club of your own. Starting your own group or club will take a lot of time and dedication, but many high school students have done this at their schools. Talk to a school counselor or teacher about the possibility of starting a club or organization at your school. Take advantage of the opportunities that are there. Enjoy yourself while you discover your interests.
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