College Checklist for Junior Parents

The college search process truly begins in earnest this year. Exploration and testing should help you and your child develop a list of target schools. Poor grades earned this year will not be as easily overlooked by admission officials as those in previous years, and colleges will look for those extracurricular commitments.

September

_____ Check out the Evangel Christian Academy web site at www.evangelacademy.com. The site contains information on college planning for every year of high school.

_____ Mark your calendar for the College Fair. This college fair, typically held in October, gives juniors a chance to explore colleges and meet with admission representatives.

_____ Make yourself familiar with guidance office resources.

_____ Encourage your child to study for the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test). When taken in the junior year, the PSAT allows students to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Competition.

_____ Assess the need and affordability of standardized test prep courses for ACT and/or SAT, if needed.

October

______ Attend the College Fair with your Child.

______Make sure the PSAT date is on the family calendar. Remind your child to read the PSAT Student Bulletin and to try the practice questions.

December/January

______Questions about PSAT scores? Contact your child's guidance counselor. If necessary, discuss strategies for improving weak areas.

______ Begin informal brainstorming about possible target colleges with test scores in mind.

______ Take an introductory look at financial aid forms just to see what you will need by this time next year. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) is the financial aid form required by all universities. The Profile is another form most often requested by private colleges in addition to the FAFSA. These forms can be accessed on the Web by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov for the FAFSA and www.collegeboard.org for the Profile.

_____ Take advantage of college students home for vacation. Ask them questions. Ask their parents questions.

_____ Evaluate your child's academic progress. Are grades up to par? If not, what study habits need to improve?

_____ Review your child's course selection sheet for senior year. Urge your child to select (or continue) the most challenging classes possible and choose at least one community service activity.

_____ Mark projected ACT and/or SAT I, II test dates on the family calendar. Also, mark registration deadlines.

_____ Begin thinking about summer plans (camp, job, travel, volunteer work).
.
February

_____ Buy a general guidebook to U.S. colleges and universities.

_____ Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to take. Are you about to miss one? Mark appropriate dates on your calendar.

March

_____ Consider and plan spring and summer vacation college visits.

_____ Begin listing target colleges in a notebook.

_____ Begin calling, writing, or e mailing, target colleges to request publications.

_____ Set aside a specific area in your home for college information. Invest in folders and create one for each school.

_____ Look ahead to SAT or ACT registration deadlines for the tests your child plans to take. Are you about to miss one? Mark appropriate dates on your calendar.

April

_____ Update your list of your child's activities, accomplishments, and achievements. Many colleges want a resume from your student.

_____ If your student is enrolled in an AP course, encourage him to prepare for the test. High scores on an AP examination can earn your son college credit.

May

_____ Finalize plans for summer vacation college visits.

Summer

______ Make sure your child has a job or constructive activities throughout the summer. Summer study, jobs, and volunteer work always rate high with admissions officials.

______ Oversee standardized test preparation as needed.

______ Request additional information, especially applications, from target colleges. List the pros and cons of attending each target school.

______ Visit target colleges, if possible.