Student Timeline

August
1. Get involved in at least 2 extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, organizations)
2. Work diligently in ALL classes. Seek out extra help when needed.
3. Choose the most competitive academic courses you can handle.
4. Start a savings plan that will give you the greatest growth.
5. Begin keeping a file on your activities and accomplishments on your computer and on paper. This will eventually become your college resume.

October
Create a 4-­year academic plan.

January
Choose your sophomore year classes.

February
Look into summer programs on college campuses on the RHS college website under "Summer Opportunities"
 

September
1. Visit www.collegeboard.com. Click on search.
2. Continue saving for your college fund.

October
1. If you plan to apply to HIGHLY SELECTIVE UNIVERSITIES, you may want to sign up to take the PSAT in the counseling office (practice version of the SAT). This is a practice for junior year.
2. If you are planning to apply to HIGHLY SELECTIVE UNIVERSITIES, you may want to take the SAT II’s in courses such as Chemistry if it is the last chemistry class you will take during your high school career.

January
Choose your junior year courses; explore the college level courses offered at the junior level (AP, college credit, honors)

February/March
Sign up for summer enrichment courses or college programs.
 

October
1. Sign up to take the PSAT and FAFSA 4caster in the counseling office. This time the score may qualify you for a National Merit Scholarship.
2. Make a list of 5-­10 colleges/universities you would like to learn more about.

January
1. Sign up for the February ACT

February
1. Take the ACT test (We suggest taking this 2 times before senior year for 4-­year college applicants).

March
1. Begin your scholarship search. See the “Scholarship” section.
2. Visit college campuses over Spring Break on an official visit.
3. Look for and apply for a summer job (see Guidance website for job openings, in addition go to www.snagajob.com)

April
1. Take the ACT
2. Update college resume

May
1. Ask teachers to write letters of recommendation
2. Ask college counselor to write the counselor letter of recommendation
3. Plan out summer college visits
4. Copy Common Application essay online before they take it down for the summer if applying to highly competitive schools
5. Sign up for June ACT

June
1. Practice writing college essays if you are applying to colleges that require an essay.
2. Visit college campuses if you have not already.
3. Take the ACT/SAT if you have not already done so.
4. Counselor letters of recommendation due
5. Save for college applications and college

August

1. Apply to 4-­year colleges.
2. Fafsa4caster.gov online to get your EFC
3. Attend senior evening program (maybe in Sept).
4. Ask teachers to write your recommendation letters if you need them.
5. Schedule a one-­on-­one meeting with your college counselor.
6. Narrow your college choice.
7. Create college emails.
8. Sign up for ACT for September.
9. Take the ACT, register for the October ACT if needed.
10. Make plans to visit colleges that you have not visited.
11. Check the guidance website weekly for scholarships.
12. Attend College Fairs (see college fairs on college website)
13. Visit colleges/have auditions for music
14. CSS profile if applying to highly competitive universities
15. Continue scholarship search
16. Take ACT/SAT
17. Apply to community college
18. Finish 4 year college applications by Oct. 31 so you don't miss any Nov. 1 scholarship deadlines.
19. Update college resume for summer events

Septemeber
1. Sign up for ACT
2. Attend senior evening meeting
3. Take ACT

October
1. Attend Creative College Financing Evening session
2. Attend College Fair at RHS
3. Attend National College Fair at SLU if you want to apply to out of state colleges
4. Take ACT test

November
1. Attend Financial Aid FAFSA Evening Program
2. Sign up for December ACT

December
1. Take the ACT
2. Check local civic clubs for scholarships
3. Begin collecting required information for January FAFSA

January
1. Complete FAFSA online www.fafsa.ed.gv
2. Continue scholarship search
3. Fill out RHS common scholarship application
4. Sign up for February ACT if necessary
5. Attend evening FAFSA program

February
1. Take ACT test again if necessary (especially community college bound students)
2. Send financial aid explanations

March
1. Check with colleges to see if you were chosen for 'verification'; if so, get specific details on what you need to do and FOLLOW UP. If you do not, you will not receive ANY financial aid

April
1. Compare financial aid package offered by each college (might be in your college email account)
2. Call financial aid offices if you need to update them on family situations
3. Attend “How to Read Your Financial Aid Package” evening program
4. Send academic deposit
5. Send housing deposit if you are going away to college - these 2 deposits cannot be waived :(

May
1. Write thank you letters to everyone who helped you.
2. Notify the schools you are declining and the one you are accepting on or by May 1
3. Notify the guidance department in writing of all scholarships you were offered (even if you declined their college) AND where you will attend college
4. Fill out final transcript form at graduation practice