College+Four+Year+Planning+Guide


 * //FRESHMAN YEAR //**
 * Meet with your guidance counselor to determine a four year course plan
 * Learn about college acceptances
 * Set academic goals
 * Become involved in extracurricular activities: seek leadership roles whenever you can
 * Discuss how to pay for your college with your parents
 * Start gathering information on career fields that interest you

**//SOPHOMORE YEAR //**
 * Register for the PSAT (Send check or cash to Mrs. Murphy in the guidance office)
 * Make a list of features you want in a college
 * Start searching the internet for schools that interest you
 * Examine college information resources in guidance and the library
 * Start making a list of schools to exam more carefully
 * Contact admissions offices and ask for brochures and information
 * Consider a job or volunteer experience in your field of interest

**//JUNIOR YEAR //** __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">September __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">October __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">November __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">December __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">January and February __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">March __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">April __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">May __
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Register to take the PSAT (in preparation for the SAT in the winter and/or spring) (this can be done in guidance)
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Check dates and locations of local college fairs (Chester County College Fair is held in November of every year at the Exton Square Mall)
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Sign up for College visits at Oxford Area High School (see guidance for more information)
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Attend College Fairs
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Take the PSAT to be considered for National Merit Scholarships
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Refine your list of schools; eliminate the ones that do not meet the criteria
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Request catalogs for schools remaining on your list
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Compare and contrast admissions policies, academic programs and placement opportunities for each school
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Examine PSAT results to determine areas that need improvement
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Request catalogs for schools remaining on your list
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Compare and contrast admission policies, academic programs and placement opportunities for each school
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Continue narrowing the number of schools in your file
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Talk to your counselor and gather information on the application process
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Start preparing for Advanced Placement (AP) Exams
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Register to take the SAT or ACT (Taking them early will allow you time to retake them if you are not satisfied with your scores)
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Take the SAT and/or ACT or register for the May tests
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Final opportunity to take required tests for those applying early decision

__<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">June/July __
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Start visiting colleges or universities that interest you
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Consider a summer job or volunteer experience in your area of interest
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Study for the SAT or ACT. Consider taking a test preparation course, online tutorial or self-help books
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review common or universal application; complete short answers ([|www.commonapp.org])
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Draft application essays. Ask your parents, counselor or English teacher to review your essays and make comments for revision
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Finalize your list of 6-10 favorite colleges or universities
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Determine how you will meet costs at selected schools
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Note all admission deadlines
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Continue to visit schools that interest you. Arrange for interviews while on campus or with assigned alumnus at home
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Start filling out admission applications
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Develop a resume
 * <span style="color: #c32a1d; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Decide which teachers and other people you would like to write letters of recommendation

**//<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 19px;">SENIOR YEAR //** __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">September __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">October/November __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">December __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">January __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">February __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">March __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">April __ __<span style="font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">May/June __
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Register to take or retake the SAT and/or ACT
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Request that official test scores be sent to schools where you are applying
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Meet with college representatives (there are several opportunities to meet representatives for colleges at Oxford Area High School. See your counselor for more details)
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Check dates and locations of college fairs and parents nights in your area
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Take or retake SAT and/or ACT
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Make a final list of your six top college choices
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Attend College Fairs
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Finalize application packets
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Send early decision or early action applications
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Request high school forward official copies of transcript and counselor recommendation to schools where you applied
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Promptly respond to any request from admissions officers
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Submit admission applications
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Request transcripts of first semester grades be sent to select colleges/universities
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Apply for outside scholarships
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">See if mid-year transcripts have been sent
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Mail FAFSA (have your parent and/or guardian attend the FAFSA Completion Workshop at Oxford Area High School. See your counselor for more details)
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Register and start studying for advanced placment tests
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Expect to receive letters of acceptance or non-acceptance
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Review all acceptance packages carefully
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Make final visits to schools that have sent acceptance letters to make final decision
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Select the school you plan to attend and send a deposit by specified deadline
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Notify schools of your decision
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Send thank you notes to those who wrote you recommendations
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Register to take advanced placement tests
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Take any remaining Advanced Placement (AP) tests
 * <span style="color: #1b28c5; font-family: 'Arial','sans-serif'; font-size: 16px;">Request that your final transcript be sent to the college you have selected