College Planning Calendar

JUNIOR YEAR

Fall/Winter

Spring/Summer

SENIOR YEAR

September/October

• Important: Submit a “Transcript Release, Recommendation Authorization, and Waiver of Right to Inspect Recommendations” form signed by student and parent (if student is under 18). Without this signed form, ICJA cannot lawfully release student transcripts and recommendations to colleges and scholarship programs.
• Draft your personal statement and supplemental essays, and update your resume with your summer activities.
• Arrange for teachers to write recommendations. At least one month before the recommendation is due, supply each teacher with a stamped envelope addressed to the college’s Director of Admissions along with the recommendation form from each college, if one is supplied. Ask teachers to mail their recommendations directly to the colleges.
• Begin to formulate your short list – the schools to which you will apply.
• When you have finalized your college list, obtain applications by going to college websites–some applications can be downloaded, many can be filed online. If you apply online, be sure to make a copy of the completed application for your file.
• Begin submitting applications. For each application to be processed, complete a College Application Processing Form and an Application Checklist form. Bring them and the materials you want ICJA to submit to your meeting with a college counselor. Be sure you have completed all student portions of every form. All materials must be submitted at least three weeks before the college deadlines. It is your responsibility to pay attention to all deadlines.
• Register for the SAT/ACT for September through January. Early action/ early decision candidates must make sure scores will reach colleges in time for early review. When in doubt, contact the college admissions office.
• Request that “official” ACT/SAT scores be sent to colleges that have not received them. You may do this online or by obtaining additional score report forms in the ICJA College Resource Center.
• Visit college reps at ICJA.
• Visit selected college campuses.
• Be alert for scholarship opportunities: Utilize reliable search engines such as www.fastweb.com Do not pay anyone or any company for scholarship/financial aid assistance.
  If you have a clear first choice college and don’t have to compare financial aid offers, submit an early decision application.
• Apply to rolling admissions institutions. Remember that getting applications in early (preferably by mid-October) is crucial at colleges and universities that have rolling admissions policies, including many state universities.
• If you are considering a “gap year” program, continue to follow the regular college application process. Once you have been admitted to the college of your choice, request a deferral for a year. Be certain of the deferral policies of each of your colleges. Not all colleges grant deferrals, in particular for candidates admitted via early decision.
• All colleges require financial aid applicants to complete the FAFSA. Complete the FAFSA online www.fafsa.ed.gov. Some colleges also require financial aid applicants to complete a second form, called the CSS Profile, generally within a few weeks of the application deadline. Go to www.collegeboard.com. If you will be applying for financial aid, ask your parents to assemble the information needed to complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile, as appropriate.

November

• Continue the application process. Watch deadlines, especially priority deadlines and Early Decision, Early Action, and Single Choice Early Action deadlines. Submit all applications to the college counseling office at least three school weeks (not including school vacation days) before the college deadlines.
• Follow up on requested recommendations.

December

• Notify the College Counseling staff if seventh semester grades are to be sent to colleges. If you have not done so, submit the Mid-Year Report form.
• Submit all applications with a January deadline to the College Counseling office by December 1st.
• Notify the College Counseling staff of all Early Decision/Early Action responses. Withdraw other applications if you receive a binding Early Decision acceptance.
• When specified, apply for housing as early as possible. Check refund policies.

January

• Study for final exams; seventh semester grades are important.
• Send thank you notes to individuals who wrote your recommendations.
• Submit all applications with a February 1st deadline by January 11th.

February

• Notify the College Counseling staff of all college responses (acceptances, denials, waitlists, withdrawals, deferrals) and all scholarship offers.
• Register for AP exams.

April

• Continue to notify the College Counseling department as you receive college decisions, scholarships and financial aid packages.
• See the college counseling staff to analyze your options.
• After comparing acceptances and financial aid packages, make a decision.
• Submit intent to enroll form and enrollment deposit to the college you plan to attend. Make necessary housing arrangements.
• As soon as possible, inform other colleges that have accepted you that you will not attend. Note that students must declare their intentions by May 1. Watch this deadline very carefully.
• If you receive notification that have been placed on a “wait-list” for one or more schools you would like to attend, accept that opportunity if you like, but be certain to send a deposit to a college that accepted you outright.
• Notify the College Counseling department of your decision.
• If you plan to pursue a gap year program, you must get a deferral in writing from the college you will attend the following year.

May

• Request that your final transcript be sent to the college you will attend.
• Take AP exams.
• Don’t succumb to senioritis. Colleges have been known to revoke admission if there is a serious decline in grades.

June

Graduation! Remember that even after you graduate, the ICJA Counseling Department is available to offer advice about choosing majors or transferring schools.