Timeline to College

List of 4 items.

• Grade 9

  • Read for pleasure.
  • Study and refine your 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. 
  • Families: Access Smart Track College Funding resources.

• Grade 10

  September/October

  • Read for pleasure.
  • Communicate with advisor on appropriateness of course selection.
  • Work hard in your classes. 
  • Get further involved in co-curriculars and develop your interests.
  • Take the PSAT (Scores received in December).
  • Families: Access Smart Track College Funding resources.

  March/April

  • Review multi-year plan. Talk to your advisor and a college counselor about both junior and senior courses. 
  • Discuss extracurricular goals for junior and senior year with your advisor. Consider one or more leadership opportunities.

  May

  • Attend college counseling sophomore seminar.
  • Athletes: communicate with Tabor coaches about summer plans and college interests.

  June/July/August

  • Make your summer meaningful – work, study, volunteer, research, play sports – just don’t do nothing.
  • Rising juniors are assigned a college counselor and given access to Naviance.

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• Grade 11

  September/October

  • Get off to a strong start in the classroom.
  • Read for pleasure.
  • Begin test preparation using Method Test Prep’s test preparation resources.
  • Attend College Fairs at Tabor – research schools in advance, come with questions, and be open to new ideas.
  • Get involved at school and be a leader. Remember, you don’t need a title to lead.
  • Take the PSAT (Scores received in December).
  • Attend College Kick-off events during Fall Family Weekend. 
  • Families: Access Smart Track College Funding resources.

  November/December/January

  • Begin individual meetings with your college counselor.
  • Complete the model college questionnaire following your first meeting.
  • Take Method Test Prep’s ACT and the SAT diagnostic tests.
  • Begin college research.
  • Artists: begin to consider an artistic portfolio.
  • International students: register for a spring TOEFL.

  February/March

  • Attend junior 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. 
  • Continue college research.
  • Families: Respond to the request for a Family Statement about your 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 Junior Brag Sheet.
  • Continue with test prep.
  • Continue college research.

  May

  • Create a summer plan with advice from your college counselor.
  • Complete your junior brag sheet.
  • Draft the college essay in junior English.
  • Finish strong.
  • Athletes: communicate with Tabor coaches about summer plans and college interests.

  
  

  Junior/Senior Summer 

  • Make your summer meaningful – work, study, volunteer, research, play sports – just don’t do nothing.
  • Read for pleasure.
  • Register by the end of June for the August, October, or November SAT test dates; register by the end of July for the September or October ACT test dates.
  • Visit, tour and interview at a mix of reaches, targets and likelies.
  • Complete the Common Application you started during trimester three. Begin crafting supplemental essays.
  • Revise and edit one of the seven 650-word Common Application essay topics you started during trimester three.
  • Athletes: send transcripts/senior courses/school profile and testing to coaches.

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• Grade 12

  September

  • Read for pleasure.
  • Continue college counseling appointments; finalize college list. 
  • Attend College Fair at Tabor – research schools in advance, come with questions, and be open to new ideas.
  • Meet with college representatives visiting Tabor.
  • Interview with colleges, if required
  • Work on applications; be aware of deadlines & requirements; continue crafting supplemental essays.
  • Take SAT or ACT. International students: take TOEFL.
  • Attend evening 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.
  • Complete FAFSA form (as soon as possible after Oct. 1).
  • Submit CSS Profile, if required.
  • Wrap-up visits.
  • Submit applications for early deadlines; request testing agencies send pertinent test scores; check application status regularly. 
  • Take SAT, ACT or Subject Tests, if necessary.

  December

  • Pay attention to regular decision deadlines and requirements.
  • Complete remaining applications, including supplemental essays.
  • Check college portals for early action/early decision admissions results.

  January/February

  • Submit remaining applications; request testing agencies send pertinent test scores. 
  • Continue to check portals for admissions results.

  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.

  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.
  • Commencement

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