College Counseling Timeline

Recommendations for preparation steps throughout Upper School.

During 9th Grade:

1. Create a 4-year high school plan.
2. Explore extra-curriculars at Williams and/or in your community.
3. Meet with your advisor.
4. Make the most of summer vacation.

During 10th Grade:

1. Again, meet with your advisor.
2. Extra-curriculars!
3. Students take PSATs in October and receive their scores in December
4. Once students have their scores they have free access to My College Quickstart.com through College Board.
5. Students may choose to take SAT Subject Tests at the end of Sophomore Year
6. Students will choose their courses for 11^th grade and will also make summer plans.
7. Begin visiting colleges?
8. Explore college fairs?

Spring of 11th Grade:

1. Schedule a conference with your college counselor to review your transcript.  Discuss and decide who should write your teacher recommendations.
2. Begin self-assessment. Determine tentative college criteria. Discuss the process and your impressions with parents.
3. Conference with Ms. Ryan or Mrs. LaCour to discuss future plans.
4. Register for Spring SAT and SAT Subject Tests, and/or ACT.
5. Attend college fairs, meet with various college representatives who will be visiting The Williams School.
6. Make a tentative list of college choices, (+/-25).
7. Research colleges via Internet or various books recommended by the College Counseling Department.
8. Make appointments to visit colleges; schedule interviews for summer dates.

Summer after 11th grade: 

1. Continue to use the Internet and guidebooks to research colleges. You may borrow any of the literature available in our offices. Talk to friends, parents, and alumni of colleges that interest you. Learn as much as you can about college life. Talk to students returning from college about what life is like on campus.  The Internet can provide you with a vast amount of information.
2. Visit college campuses.
3. If applicable, set up college interviews for the fall.
4. Begin narrowing your list of colleges, (+/- 20).
5. Use your time to better prepare for the SAT and/or ACT.

During 12th Grade

September

1. Attend college fairs, visit with representatives when they are at Williams- ask questions!
2. Sign up for the SAT and/or ACT examinations.
3. Schedule any final college visits. (Keep in mind your class attendance and course load...senior grades are critical.)
4. Make a chart of deadline dates for applications; include financial aid deadlines.
5. Check admission requirements at chosen colleges to determine which SAT Subject Test, if any, are required for admission.
6. Complete Brag Sheet and Resume for the college counselors.
7. If you are interested in applying Early Decision or Early Action, get started on the application(s). Check the deadline.  It is usually in early November or December.
8. Determine final list of colleges.
9. Photocopy applications you plan on filling out so you have working copies.  Also make sure you save your work for online applications as you go; print them before you submit them.

October through November

1. Work on your college essays.
2. Connect with teachers who have agreed to write recommendations on your behalf; let them know of any updates.  Review recommendation section of this handbook.
3. Attend the Financial Aid Information Night.
4. Sign up for the January SAT Subject Test, if needed.
5. Obtain the appropriate financial aid forms from the College Counseling Office: The College Board's CSS Profile Form, and the FAFSA Form.  Scholarship opportunities will be posted on the college counseling bulletin board.
6. Distribute your secondary school report forms (from applications) to the college counselors and teacher evaluation forms for your teachers for recommendations.  Provide addressed and stamped envelopes for your teachers.

December

1. Complete your applications BEFORE you return from the Holiday break.
2. Distribute additional secondary school report forms to the college counselors and to your teachers for recommendations.
3. Keep up your GRADES and maintain a POSITIVE ATTITUDE.
4. Study for your semester examinations.  Remember that mid-year grades are sent to all of your college choices.

January

1. Watch for scholarship announcements and applications.
2. Finish remaining applications.

February through April

1. Report all communications you have with colleges to the college counselors.  Colleges will notify you by mail or email of their decisions.
2. Attend local college receptions for applicants, if invited. Alumni contacts or interviews usually take place at a local hotel, homes of alumni or sometimes at The Williams School.
3. Discuss choices and alternatives with your family and the college counselors.
4. Attend open house events.
5. Decide on college plans; reply to the college of your choice.
6. Submit tuition deposit by May 1. 
7. Notify the other colleges of your decision.  They may be able to offer admission to someone else.

May

Participate in the Advanced Placement Examinations, if applicable, and Senior Projects.

June

Graduation! You made it! Your hard work and organization have paid off.