Remember: You should be talking with your parents throughout this entire process! You should also be actively researching various college options on an ongoing basis. This calendar is designed to give you general direction regarding what happens, and when.
Winter (January, February, March):
- Make an appointment to meet with your school counselor.
- Register for spring testing dates for SAT I, ACT, and/or SAT II Subject Tests (see section on testing).
- Involve yourself intelligently in extracurricular activities, emphasizing quality, depth of commitment, and initiative in activities that are important to you.
- Plan early for summer employment or other activities to explore interests, pursue challenges, and find ways to grow and achieve success. Travel, study, and jobs or volunteering help you learn more about yourself and the kinds of college communities and programs of study that might suit you.
- Study hard! Junior year grades may be the most important.
Spring (April, May):
- Register if you wish to take the June SAT I, SAT II Subject Tests, or ACT.
- Make an appointment for you and your parents to meet with your school counselor or college advisor to talk about your research on the colleges and suggested universities, discuss likelihood of admission, and consider what steps to take next.
- Pre-register for challenging senior year classes. Course curriculum can be VERY important!
- Attend the Coast to Coast College fair, which is sponsored by Chattanooga private schools and is usually held the last Monday in April, or other college fairs. Check with your school counselor for more information.
Summer (June, July, August):
- Expand your horizons and gain experience. Admission committees in highly selective institutions increasingly believe that how you use vacations reveals your priorities and resourcefulness; what you do shows people what you value.
- If you're not involved with a summer program, check into taking a college class at UTC or Chattanooga State.
- If possible, visit colleges, taking campus tours and attending information sessions wherever you can.
- Gather catalogs and application materials, keeping track of what materials you have or need.
- Gather ideas for college-application essays by keeping a journal about significant books, issues, experiences, and thoughts. Go online to a college's website to get an idea of what essay questions might be asked.
