Freshman through Senior Year - College Counseling Timeline

Freshman Year

September - June

      • Maintain solid grades.
      • Pursue challenging academic program.
      • RPCS SAT Prep Class throughout the year

Practice SAT Test offered three times a year

      • Get involved with extracurricular activities in and out of RPCS with an eye towards commitment and leadership.

Sophomore Year

      • Maintain solid grades.
      • Continue to pursue a challenging academic program.
      • Take PSAT in October – given at RPCS during the school day.

°The PSAT is the natural precursor to the SAT and is an excellent way to become familiar with the SAT testing format. 
°PSAT scores are not forwarded to college admission offices.

      • RPCS SAT Prep Class throughout the year

Practice SAT Tests offered three times a year

      • Get involved with extracurricular activities in and out of RPCS with an eye towards commitment and leadership.
      • Consider summer opportunities.  Jobs, college programs, internships are all valid options.  Colleges consider involvement in activities and/or employment to be important during both the academic year and summer.
      • Take AP Exams in May, if applicable.
      • Take a specific SAT II Subject test in June only if encouraged by your teacher or a college counselor

Junior Year

FALL

                September - October - November

      • Maintain solid grades.
      • Continue to pursue a challenging academic program.
      • Attend college admissions information sessions held at RPCS and at local hotels/schools; sessions are typically offered September through November. 
      • Take PSAT in October.  Scores from the junior year PSAT are used in determining National Merit Scholars for the following year.

°The PSAT is the natural precursor to the SAT and is an excellent way to become familiar with the SAT testing format. 
°PSAT scores are not forwarded to college admission offices.

      • Begin third year of RPCS SAT Prep Class.
      • Practice SAT Tests offered three times a year.
      • Junior Seminar meets once/ cycle to begin college search preparation.

WINTER

                December - January - February

      • Attend “Junior College Night for Parents and Students” in early December

°Students receive the “College Planning Handbook”, a valuable resource throughout the college search.

      • Students and parents begin meeting with the college counselor after College Night.

°Parents and students continue to meet with college counselor through the end of Junior Year and throughout Senior Year.

      • Register for and take SAT Math Subject Test only if recommended by teacher.
      • Begin to develop general list of colleges in which you have an interest.
      • Begin planning any Spring Break college visits.
      • Begin contacting schools of interest and gather information.
      • Visits schools’ websites to collect further information.
      • Junior Seminar continues with the specifics of the college search process.

SPRING

                March - April - May

      • Visit prospective colleges in during March Spring Break.
      • Finalize your senior year academic schedule; college counselors assist with the selection of classes.
      • Register for and take the SAT and ACT.
        • SAT Reasoning Test – advised to take in March and/or May
        • SAT Subject Tests – advised to take in May or June
        • ACT -  advised to take in April or June
      • Attend “AIMS College Fair” in late April to gather more information about colleges and universities.
      • Begin thinking about summer plans.  Jobs, internships, and college programs are all great options for gaining valuable out-of-school experience.
      • Take AP Exams in May, if applicable.
      • Attend Essay-writing Workshop at school in June

SUMMER

                June - July - -August

      • Continue to plan summer and fall college visits.
      • Visit college campuses and interview wherever possible.
      • Continue to request and gather information from colleges.

Senior Year

 

FALL

                September - October - November

      • Maintain solid grades.
      • Continue to pursue a challenging academic program.
      • Attend college information sessions held at RPCS, other local high schools, and local hotels.
      • Narrow the college list and begin working on applications.
      • Continue visiting colleges; plan overnight stays and interviews where possible.
      • Attend “Senior College Night for Parents and Students” in late September.
      • Register for take one final time the college admissions tests that are offered throughout the fall – SAT and the ACT. 
      • Gather info. on financial aid policies from schools in which you have an interest.
      • File CSS Profile for schools that require it in October.
      • Senior “Transitions” course begins its yearlong run in September.
      • Send Early Decision and/or Early Action applications, if applicable, usually in October or November.    

WINTER

            December - January - February

      • Be mindful of Regular Decision Deadlines that range from Dec. to Feb.        
      • All applications must be ready to go by the end of December.

SPRING

                March - April - May

      • Submit the required Financial Aid forms to the various processors and institutions by February 1
      • Wait patiently for decisions from institutions.

°Many schools will mail decision letters between March 15 and April 15.  These four weeks are particularly stressful for seniors still waiting to hear from schools.

      • Celebrate acceptances! (and accept the disappointments.)                           
      • Student should send in a deposit to ONE college no later than May 1.
      • Take AP Exams in May, if applicable.
      • Plan to enjoy your summer!!