No matter what year you are in high school, it's never too early to start planning for college. This handy tear-out timeline will help you keep up with significant dates and deadlines.

• Chat with your guidance counselor about what you can do to get the most out of high school.
  
  
• Get involved with some extracurricular activities. Colleges love well-rounded students.
  
  

• Meet with your guidance counselor to sketch out your schedule for the rest of high school.
  
  

• Get used to standardized tests by taking the PLAN (a preliminary version of the ACT), the PSAT (preliminary SAT), or, if you think you're ready, the "real thing"—ACT or SAT.
  
  
• Check out some options by going to a college fair.
  
  

• If you haven't done it already, discuss your college plans with your guidance counselor.
  
  
• While visiting with your counselor, take another look at your long-term class schedule. Make sure you're meeting college entrance requirements for math, science, foreign language, etc.
  
  
• Look into Advanced Placement courses that could earn you college credit.
  
  

• Add to your rÉsumÉ and your bank account—with a part-time job.
  
  

• Take the PSAT, even if you took it last year. High scores can qualify you for a National Merit Scholarship.
  
  
• Start a file for mail from colleges that interest you.
  
  
• Collect more information on specific schools by consulting the Christian College Directory (page 112).
  
  

• Register for the spring ACT and/or SAT. Decide which schools you want to send your scores to.
  
  

• Take the ACT and/or SAT.
  
  
• When you receive your ACT or SAT scores, meet with your guidance counselor to see which schools and scholarships you're qualified for.
  
  
• Double-check your senior year course schedule to make sure you're not leaving anything out.
  
  
• Visit the colleges you're most interested in.
  
  
• Look into pre-college programs for the summer, where you can earn college credit and get an inside look at life on campus.
  
  

• Get the up-to-date catalogs from your top 10 schools.
  
  
• Look for specific information on financial aid that will help you make your decision.
  
  
• Put together a list of courses taken, awards received, and activities both in and out of school. This list will help when you fill out applications.
  
  
• Write down answers to questions like "What are my strengths and weaknesses as a student?" and "What do I hope to get out of college?" These answers will help you fill out application questions and prepare you for admissions interviews.
  
  

• Narrow your list of college choices to no more than five, and start working on applications for each of these schools.
  
  
• Ask selected adults to fill out any recommendation forms required by your chosen schools.
  
  
• Write drafts of your application essays. Ask your parents and a teacher to edit them for you.
  
  
• Send in early admission applications. (Many are due as early as November.)
  
  
• If you weren't happy with your earlier scores, retake the ACT and/or SAT.
  
  
• Keep asking your guidance counselor about scholarships.
  
  
• If possible, schedule longer visits at your top two or three schools.
  
  

• Complete and send in your remaining college applications.
  
  
• Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1 as possible.
  
  

• When you've received your acceptance letters, decide which school you'll attend and, by May 1, notify the other schools you applied to.
  
  
• Make sure you meet your chosen school's deadlines for housing forms, fees and course schedules.
  
  

Wear a T-shirt with your new college's name on it. Now everybody knows your college plans!

Copyright © 2002 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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