College Counseling Timeline

9th Grade

• RPCS SAT Prep Class throughout the year (practice SAT is offered three times a year)

• Pursue challenging academic program and maintain grades

• Get involved in extracurricular activities

10th Grade          

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• Pursue challenging academic program and maintain grades

• Take PSAT in October – given at RPCS during the school day

• RPCS SAT Prep Class throughout the year (practice SAT is offered three times a year)

• Get involved in extracurricular activities

• Consider summer opportunities – jobs, college programs and internships.

• Take AP Exams in May (if applicable)

• Take a specific SAT II Subject test in June if encouraged but your teacher or college counselor

11th Grade

• Continue to pursue a challenging academic program and maintain solid grades

• 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.

•  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.

• 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

•  Continue to plan summer and fall college visits.

• Visit college campuses and interview wherever possible.

• Continue to request and gather information from colleges

 12th Grade

• Continue to pursue a challenging academic program and maintain solid grades

• 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. 

• Be mindful of Regular Decision Deadlines that range from Dec. to Feb.

• All applications must be ready to go by the end of December.

• 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.

• Student should send in a deposit to ONE college no later than May 1.

• Take AP Exams in May, if applicable.