College Planning Timeline | Taking ACTs and SATs | Career Exploration Opportunities | Starting the College Search | Notification of Important Information
College Planning Timeline
Fall
- College Fair(s)
- PSAT
- College / Career Exploration
Winter
- SAT’s (maybe)
- Visit Colleges
- College Fair (s)
- Build list of colleges
- Plan for Senior Year
Spring
- Visit Colleges
- ACTs and/or SATs
- Jr. Review
- Narrow college list
- Participate in a SABA week
- long internship or day long
- shadowing
Summer
- Visit Colleges
- Narrow college list
- Start Essays
- Start Common App (August)
Taking ACTs / SATs
Many 4-year colleges require either the SAT or ACT.
Check with colleges your child is considering to see if the tests are required. Many colleges are still Test Optional!
Colleges will accept either one
Which test is right for my child?
- Have them practice both tests and take which one they feel more comfortable with
How should my child prepare?
- Take a strong academic program
- Get comfortable with the test format
- Use the free online practice at testing agency website or through KhanAcademy.org
How to register for tests?
- Registration is NOT done through the school. It is done through the testing agency
- ACT.org
- CollegeBoard.org
- Fee waivers are available in the Counseling Office for students who qualify for the free/reduced lunch program
Career Exploration Opportunities
Naviance
- Students will be completing inventories to give them ideas of careers to explore
- Can explore careers
School and Business Alliance (SABA)
- One day shadowing experience in Oct., Nov., & April
- Week long internship opportunities during February & April break along with summer vacation
Starting the College Search
- Naviance (students have a username & password)
- Collegeboard.org
- Counseling Department Website
- Go to college fairs and/or attend virtual fairs
- SUNY College Fair September 27, 2023 @ OCC
- October 10, 2023 at MVCC or October 11, 2023 at RFA
- Watch for emails about other College Fairs
- College Fairs are also posted on the Counseling Department calendar
- Start visiting colleges
- School breaks are a great time to go!
- What to consider
- Location
- Size
- Admissions Requirements (GPA/SAT/ACT)
- Majors offered
- Activities
College Search Process
Naviance
Naviance allows students to quickly come up with a list using various factors
Notification of Important Information
The Counselors release a Junior Newsletter once a month
We e-mail students and parents/guardians important information regarding what is going on in the Counseling Office.
Please contact your child’s counselor as questions arise while moving through this process!