•    Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans. Review your schedule with him or her to make sure you're enrolled in challenging classes that will help you prepare for college.
• Start a calendar with important dates and deadlines.
• Get involved with your extracurricular activities.
• Learn about college costs and how financial aid works. Learn about how much money you'll need for college, whether you're on track to save enough, and what you need to do to reach your goal. Talk to your parents about financing college.
• Find out about college firsthand from college friends who are home for the holidays.
• Sign up for college preparatory courses. Consider AP courses.
• Look for a great summer opportunity- such as a job, internship, or volunteer position.
• Check with your counselor and search online for summer school programs for high school students at colleges.
• Visit college campuses that have the degree program that you want.
• Sophomores should sign up for the PSAT/NMSQT, which is given in October.

  High School juniors

• Start with you. Make lists of your abilities, preference, and personal qualities. List topics you may want to study and activities you may want to do in college. 
• Talk to your counselor about your college plans and jump-start your college planning by reading about majors and careers. attend college and financial aid nights at your school.
• You can take either the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT. See the schedule of test dates and register online for the tests.
• Do well on AP Exams and receive credit or placement at most colleges. Get AP Exam preparation.
• Review your senior year class schedule with your counselor. Challenge yourself with honors and AP classes.
• Plan summer activities early. Enrich yourself by volunteering, getting an interesting job or internship, or signing up for special summer learning programs.
• Visit colleges. Take campus tours and, at colleges you're serious about, schedule interviews with admissions counselors.
• Request applications from colleges to which you'll apply. Check important dates; some universities have early dates or rolling admissions.

High School Seniors

• Narrow your list of colleges to between five and 10, and review it with your counselor. Get an application and financial aid information from each. Visit as many as possible.
• Make a master calendar and note:
• Test dates, fees, college application due dates, and financial aid applications deadlines
• Ask for recommendations. Give each person your résumé, a stamped and addressed envelope, and any required forms.
• Write application essays. Do not forget to have someone else proofread them.  
• Attend financial aid info events in your area.
• Apply for all local and national scholarships that you are eligible for.  
• Most regular applications are due between January 1 and February 15. Keep copies of everything you send to colleges.
• Have your registrar send your transcript to colleges/universities that you applied to.
• Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible. Men 18 or older must register for the Selective Service to receive federal financial aid.
• Many priority financial aid deadlines fall in February. To get the most attractive award package, apply by the priority date. Keep copies of everything you send.
• You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April.
• Once you make your final desision, complete all housing contracts and deposits to ensure you have a spot. 
• Ask your high school to send a final transcript to your college.
• Start preparing for the year ahead.