Timeline to College
At Tabor, we don’t wait until junior year to think about college. From their first day as a Seawolf, students are encouraged to engage in coursework that challenges and prepares them for the rigors of life after Tabor. Explore the tabs below to learn more.
Grade 9
During grade 9, students are encouraged to focus on getting acclimated to Tabor, do well in their studies, and consider their interests.
- Read for pleasure.
- Study and refine classroom skills—take your learning seriously. Keep in mind that each year, your grades will be calculated into your cumulative GPA.
- Get involved in co-curriculars and develop outside interests.
- Work with your advisor to develop a multi-year academic and co-curricular plan.
- Utilize your summer free time to be productive—volunteer, take a course, complete an internship, find a job, help out at home.
- Tabor families can access College Money Method resources via the College Counseling tile of the Resource Board in myTA.
Grade 10
Tenth graders will go more in depth with their process. They hear from college counselors during class meetings to learn about course selection, testing, and the start of the college search process.
September/October
- Read for pleasure.
- Communicate with your advisor on appropriateness of course selection.
- Work hard in your classes.
- Get further involved in co-curriculars, developing and expanding your interests.
- Tabor families can access College Money Method resources via the College Counseling tile of the Resource Board in myTA
March/April
- Review your academic plan. Talk to your advisor and a college counselor about both 11th and 12th grade courses.
- Discuss extracurricular goals with your advisor. Consider leadership opportunities.
May
- Attend a College Counseling class meeting.
- Athletes:
- Communicate with Tabor coaches about summer plans and college interests.
- Register with the NCAA.
June/July/August
- Make your summer meaningful – work, study, volunteer, research, make art, play sports – just don’t do nothing.
- Rising juniors are assigned a college counselor and given access to Maia Learning assignment.
Grade 11
The program for 11th grade families during Fall Family Weekend includes a college admission panel, a case study review, and the opportunity to meet the college counseling team.
The option for students to take diagnostic standardized tests allows 11th graders to understand which is the better option -- ACT or SAT test prep. Tabor’s partnership with Methodize allows us to offer an online, self-paced standardized test preparation program that students can use at times that work for them, accommodating their busy schedules. A time-tested proven tool for student success, the self-paced program provides an easy-to-follow checklist that will build student confidence and competence on the material covered by the ACT and SAT. Other options for test preparation are outlined on the College Counseling tile of the Resource Board in myTA.
September/October
- Get off to a strong start in the classroom.
- Read for pleasure.
- Some students begin test preparation using Methodize resources.
- Attend Tabor’s College Fair—research schools in advance, come with questions, and be open to new ideas.
- Get involved at school and consider opportunities to lead. Remember, you don’t need a title to lead.
- Attend mandatory College Kick-off events during Fall Family Weekend.
- Tabor families may access College Money Method resources through the Resource Board and participate in webinars.
November/December/January
- Begin individual meetings with your college counselor.
- Complete the ideal college questionnaire following your first meeting.
- Use Methodize resources to learn which test—the ACT or SAT —is better for you.
- Begin college research.
- Artists: begin to consider an artistic portfolio.
- International students: register for a spring TOEFL.
February/March
- Attend 11th grade college seminars.
- Continue meeting with your college counselor.
- Register for spring SAT or ACT.
- Move forward with test prep.
- Visit colleges during the Winter Long Weekend and Spring Break, or participate in virtual programming.
- Continue college research.
- Tabor families should respond to their college counselor’s request for a Family Statement about their student.
April
- Continue meeting with your college counselor.
- Ask two teachers to write recommendations.
- Participate in the Mock Interview program.
- Create a Common Application account.
- Begin the 11th Grade Brag Sheet.
- Attend the BISCCA Fair at a college near Boston via Tabor-provided transportation.
- Continue with test prep.
- Continue college research.
- Brainstorm college essay ideas and begin crafting a personal essay.
May
- Create a summer plan with advice from your college counselor.
- Complete your 11th Grade Brag Sheet.
- Draft the college essay.
- Finish strong.
- Athletes:
- Communicate with Tabor coaches about summer plans and college interests. Communicate with college coaches as needed.
- Register with the NCAA
- Artists: begin putting together a portfolio.
Grade 12
Senior year is where it’s at! It’s time to finish your school visits, complete your applications, talk with your parents about college funding, and make your decisions.
September
- Continue college counseling appointments; finalize college list.
- Meet with college representatives visiting Tabor.
- Interview with colleges, if required or recommended.
- Work on applications; be aware of deadlines & requirements; continue crafting supplemental essays.
- Take the SAT or ACT. International students: take TOEFL.
- Attend evening or weekend help sessions as needed.
- Maintain good study habits.
October/November
- Visit or re-visit colleges during long weekends. Interview with colleges, if recommended or required.
- Attend College Fair at Tabor – research schools in advance, come with questions, and be open to new ideas.
- Meet with college representatives visiting Tabor.
- Work on applications; be aware of deadlines & requirements; continue crafting supplemental essays.
- Access College Money Method resources through the Resource Board and participate in webinars.
- Complete FAFSA form as soon as it is available.
- Submit CSS Profile, if required.
- Wrap-up visits.
- Submit applications for early deadlines; discuss whether to submit test scores and how; check application status regularly.
- Complete the SRAR, if required.
- Take SAT or ACT, if necessary.
- Maintain good study habits.
December
- Pay attention to regular decision deadlines and requirements as well as financial aid deadlines and requirements, as needed.
- Complete remaining applications, including supplemental essays.
- Check college portals for early action/early decision admissions results.
- Maintain good study habits.
January/February
- Submit remaining applications; discuss whether to submit test scores and how.
- Complete FAFSA form.
- Submit CSS profile, if required.
- Continue to check portals for admissions results.
- Maintain good study habits.
March/April
- Check college portals and read emails regarding admissions results.
- Visit and evaluate schools and compare financial aid packages.
- Meet with your college counselor to discuss options.
- Speak to your college counselor about waitlists.
- Maintain good study habits.
May & June
- May 1: National College Decision Day, the universal deadline by which you need to submit a single enrollment deposit to the school which you plan to attend.
- Monitor waitlists and communicate interest to colleges as needed.
- Maintain good study habits.
- Commencement