Timeline to College

• 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.

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.

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.

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