QUESTIONS ABOUT COLLEGE PLANNING?
Schedule an appointment with our specialist.
FALL | JUNIOR COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE
You are off to a great start building up your academic skills, joining extracurricular actives and maybe trying out a new sport. Now it's time to get serious about planning and preparing for college.
SEPTEMBER
Attend College Fairs
Visit admissions representatives from several local and out-of-state colleges and universities to get a feel of which schools could be the right fit for you.
OCTOBER
Check-in with guidance counselors to confirm that your class courses are on track for college admissions.
- Register and take the PSAT/PLAN.
- Prepare to take ACT/SAT in the spring.
NOVEMBER
Many start to compile a college list, thinking about academics, affordability, location, and size.
WINTER | JUNIOR COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE
DECEMBER
- Get excited! Your PSAT scores should be arriving soon.
- Attend college planning events offered at your school.
JANUARY
- Work with a Guidance Counselor to set your senior schedule. Enroll in one to two classes that are a bit more challenging.
- Narrow down the list of factors important to you in your college search.
FEBRUARY
- Students should start asking teachers for recommendation letters.
- Choose teachers that you know you work well with.
SPRING | JUNIOR COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE
MARCH
- Attend College Fairs
- Start researching colleges online.
- Spring break is a great time to begin planning college visits. Include a variety of colleges, large and small, to see which type is the best fit.
APRIL
- Register for June/August SATS if needed.
- Develop a list of colleges that interest you. Go online and request additional information about the college.
- Make a list of deadlines and identify what you will need to meet.
MAY
- Take the advanced placement exams and SAT/ACT if you have not done so.
- Consider lining up a summer job and volunteering to add to your senior resume.
SUMMER | JUNIOR COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE
JUNE
- Consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college, pursuing a summer school program, or volunteering.
- If you start a summer job, save money for college.
- Ask at least two teachers for letters of recommendation and provide them with your resume for reference.
- Register for the commonapp.org
JULY & AUGUST
- Polish up your resume.
- Start assembling a portfolio of writing samples, artwork, music, or audition videos.
- Consider volunteering or job shadowing to explore careers.
- Contact coaches at college if you are interested in participating in athletics or think you may be able to receive an athletic scholarship.
- Attend local College Fairs. They are an excellent opportunity to talk with several admissions representatives all in one place without taking a long road trip.
-
KNOWLEDGE FOR COLLEGE
Enter to win $2,000 scholarship
KNOWLEDGE FOR COLLEGE
ENTER TO WIN $2,000 SCHOLARSHIP
Visit our Knowledge for College Scholarship page to learn more and enter today!
-
EVENTS
VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON EVENTS
EVENTS
UPCOMING VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON EVENTS
A free service offered by RISLA's College Planning Center.
-
RISCHOLARSHIPS.ORG
Search for local scholarships
RISCHOLARSHIPS.ORG
SEARCH FOR FREE SCHOLARSHIPS
Look for hundreds of hard-to-find local scholarships.
Get started with your scholarship search today!
-
QUESTIONS
Schedule a Free Appointment
QUESTIONS
SCHEDULE A FREE APPOINTMENT
Do you have questions about college planning? We are here to help you prepare, plan, and pay for college.
KNOWLEDGE FOR COLLEGE
ENTER TO WIN $2,000 SCHOLARSHIP
Visit our Knowledge for College Scholarship page to learn more and enter today!
EVENTS
UPCOMING VIRTUAL & IN-PERSON EVENTS
A free service offered by RISLA's College Planning Center.
RISCHOLARSHIPS.ORG
SEARCH FOR FREE SCHOLARSHIPS
Look for hundreds of hard-to-find local scholarships.
Get started with your scholarship search today!
QUESTIONS
SCHEDULE A FREE APPOINTMENT
Do you have questions about college planning? We are here to help you prepare, plan, and pay for college.
