TIMELINE FOR COLLEGE PLANNING

SENIOR YEAR
September
Begin acquiring college applications either by writing, calling or going
on their website
APPLY EARLY, APPLY EARLY, APPLY EARLY
If you have not already done so, make an appointment with your
counselor to discuss your college plans.
If you are planning to take the ACT or SAT, register for the test.
o ACT registration at www.actstudent.org
o SAT registration at www.collegeboard.com
o HHS high school code is 142-185
Visit with the college representatives at HHS, conference times are
posted on the website and in the binder in Student Services. You must
sign up to meet with them.
Attend Open Houses at colleges and evening programs in the area.
ECC College Night is 10/6, 2015 from 6 pm to 8 pm.
If you wish to participate in athletics at a Division I or II college, meet
with your counselor to make sure you meet the minimum core
requirements. Also plan on registering with the NNAA Cearinghouse at
www.ncaa clearinghouse.net.
Draft your essay(s) for applications which require them.
Narrow down your college choices to the three or five to which you
apply. You should have at least one safety school where you will
most likely be admitted.

October
Continue to visit college representatives and college campuses.
If you are applying to a school for early decision or early action
have the application to your counselor at least two weeks before the
deadline.
If you are applying to an Illinois State University, do so this month.
Make sure you are meeting your priority deadlines. Attend the
financial aid presentation at Jacobs High School (date/time TBA).
If you have not already done so arrange to have your official scores
(ACT, SAT I, SAT II) sent to the schools if needed. This is done via their
websites. Your ACT scores will be sent on your official transcript, but
some schools will only accept scores officially sent by ACT or SAT.
Ask your teachers and/or counselor for a letter of recommendation if
needed. Give them at least 2 weeks to write. Dont forget the
thank you card

 Transcript requests are handled by the guidance secretary, Mrs. Presz,

in the Student Services office in 1001. The first 5 are free. Each one
after that is $5.00.

November
Continue to complete necessary college applications and community
college application.
If you have not done so, begin searching for scholarships. Visit the
HHS website for a list of scholarships or stop in the Student Services
office. http://hampshirehighcounseling.weebly.com/

December
Read college catalogs/websites for information on housing
accommodations.

Continue to search for scholarships on the web and on the HHS

website.
January
If you are applying for financial aid, you must fill out your FAFSA form.
Both you and one parent must apply for a PIN at www.fafsa.ed.gov
prior to completing the form.
If you want to reserve a dorm room at a large university, fill out and
return the housing application when you receive it. (Most deposits are
partially refundable until June 1st.)
Continue to search for scholarships

February
If necessary, make a second visit to the colleges in which you are
interested. Narrow down your options.
If you have not already applied for financial aid, fill out your FAFSA
form at www.fafsa.ed.gov
If attending ECC, scholarship application is due this month.
Attend FAFSA Night at HHS (date/time TBA)

March
If planning on attending ECC, make sure your application is
complete.
April

 Decide by April 30th which college you will attend. You must inform
each college which accepted you of your final plans. This must be
done by May 1st.

May
Arrange to have you final transcript sent to the college you will
be attending by completing a transcript request form.

APPLY EARLY

APPLY EARLY
APPLY EARL

APPLY EARLY