Planning
Planning for college can be both exciting and overwhelming for students and families. It's best to start early and have a high-level timeline in mind for the key steps of the process.
College planning requires you to become an informed educational consumer. Be curious and do research. Information is a deciding factor when making college choices and is necessary to make a well-informed decision about the education you are purchasing.
Looking for a task list of steps to take for college applications? Try our one-page College Applications - Overview and Task List.
Planning Timeline
| 9th Grade | 10th Grade | 11th Grade | Summer | 12th Grade |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Get good grades, take challenging courses | ||||
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Join sports, clubs, volunteer groups; keep up extracurriculars |
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| Explore careers, majors | Request letters of recommendation | |||
| Start college list | Research colleges | Draft essays | Finish and submit college applications | |
| Prep for SAT/ACT | Visit colleges | Complete FAFSA/CSS Profile | ||
| Start your resume | Refine college list | Start college applications | Apply for scholarships | |
| Take SAT/ACT | Create application schedule |
Review offers
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| Update resume | Decision Day May 1 | |||
Recommended Resources
- Junior/Senior Workbook WSAC(Washington Student Achievement Council) guide for navigating college admissions and financial aid.
- Peterson's College Planning Timeline for students and parents, organized according to grade.
- College Prep Timeline - 5-page pictorial view of planning steps from 9-12th grade.
- College Application Timeline - Visual Gantt chart of college application steps for junior and senior year.