FSHA Academics: College Counseling: The Process

The process of applying to college can provide an experience that is fulfilling and exciting. It can offer an opportunity to gain greater insight and clarity into personal values, goals and decision making style. The College Counseling Staff believes that the method developed to apply, write or visit colleges should be one of organization and creativity, with a resulting sense of real accomplishment.

Timeline to Graduation

Junior Year

February	Perform well in the classroom − the work being done now is very critical and will impact college options. Get involved in a co-curricular activity. Start investigating colleges via the Internet, catalogs, etc. Complete the junior questionnaire and schedule a parent and student appointment with a college counselor.
March	Research summer internship, volunteer and academic opportunities; see a counselor for ideas. Register for SAT I and II. Ensure appointment has been scheduled with a college counselor.
April	Visit colleges during Spring Break. The 10-day East Coast Trip is one option for visiting campuses or plan a separate itinerary. Make sure college tours include a small liberal arts college (such as Pitzer or Occidental College), a mid-size college (such as USC or LMU) and a large state school (such as UCLA or CSUN). Attend the National College Fair.
May	Take SAT I. Study for the Advanced Placement (AP) exams. Develop a tentative list of colleges to investigate. See a college counselor!
June	Take SAT II Subject Exams − Writing, Math and a third self-selected exam. Study for finals. Junior grades are very important.
Summer	Visit colleges. Work on college essays. Do something interesting, through a summer job, class, internship, etc.

Senior Year

Senior year is the time to actively apply to college. Grades must be kept up and many details need to be addressed during the application process.

Each student has unique needs and those needs come to the forefront senior year. Specific college plans become quite individualized and vary from one student to the next. Following is a general outline for applying to college during the senior year.

September	Schedule an appointment to see the college counselor as soon as possible. Register for October, November and December test dates (SAT I, SAT II and ACT). Send scores to FSHA. The school code is 052-380. Request all college applications needed, unless applying online. Make a timeline with application due dates and supporting materials. Attend all College Admission Classes and Senior Class Meetings for college application information. Identify teacher to write Teacher Recommendation. If applying for ED/EA, notify a college counselor and teachers by September 15^th.
October	Take SATI, II or ACT. Meet with the college counselor. File ED/EA applications. Submit all applications to the college counseling office by October 1.
November	File UC and CSU applications. Retake SAT I, II and ACT. The College Counseling Staff will send transcripts to all private and out of state public schools. UC schools do not require transcripts when applying. Each student needs to send transcripts to the CSU schools she applies to.
December	Early Action and Early Decision letters arrive before Christmas Break. December 1 is the last day to submit applications to counselors and teacher for letters of recommendation. Last chance to take SAT I, II and ACT. Finish all applications. Pick up FAFSA Form (used by all colleges for federal and state financial aid awards) from the College Counseling office.
January	Parent Financial Aid meeting.
February	Submit all financial aid forms.
March	Admission decisions start to arrive.
April	Congratulations! Time to make a decision. The national deadline is May 1.
May	Make final decision. Take AP exams.
June	Graduation!