College Prep Timeline

Use the timeline below as your guide to preparing for college.

In 7th & 8th Grade:

Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.
Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits.
Practice setting and reaching goals.
Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.
Talk with your school counselor and parents about careers that interest you.
Create a tentative high school class plan.
Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
Talk with your parents about saving and paying for college.

Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers options.
Talk with your school counselor about career options and the education required for those careers.
Talk with friends, teachers, counselors and your parents about college.
Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.
Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your junior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or Concurrent Enrollment.
Explore internships and apprenticeships.
Explore internships and apprenticeships.
Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
Participate in extracurricular activities.

Attend college and financial aid events.
Take the PSAT in the Fall to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.
Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.
Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites.
Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.
Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements.
Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your senior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or Concurrent Enrollment.
Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT in the Spring.
Research private scholarship options.
Participate in extracurricular activities.
Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.

Visit the colleges that interest you. It's okay to go more than once.
Select the schools to which you will apply. Make a list of deadlines for each school.
Have your high school transcript sent to colleges which you've applied.
Prepare a portfolio if you're interested in the arts. Some fine arts college programs require one.
Take or re-take the ACT and/or SAT in the fall.
Attend a financial aid event.
Search and apply for scholarships. But be aware of financial aid search companies.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online.
Review your high school class plan to make sure you are on track to graduate.
Participate in extracurricular activities
Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.