Timeline to College
Explore the tabs below to learn about the year-to-year timeline for college readiness.
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.
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.
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