Counselor’s Corner
College Timeline
FRESHMAN YEAR
◦You will be taking the 8/9 PSAT in October. This test will help prepare you for the PSAT that you will be taking in 10th grade.
◦Get off to a good start with your grades. The grades you earn in ninth grade will count toward college admission and
scholarships.
◦Explore clubs and activities in and outside of school that will offer you the chance to develop your unique interests and abilities and your leadership skills. Consider becoming a volunteer in your community.
◦Look into National Collegiate Athletic Association if you think you may want to participate in sports in college. Visit www.eligibilitycenter.org.
◦Begin to research careers and talk to your parents about your interests and goals. Find opportunities to meet people working in fields that interest you.
◦Begin compiling a resume of activities, honors, leadership positions, and job experience.
◦Continue with this throughout high school because you will need this information for college applications and scholarship forms.
◦Begin using Naviance Family Connection. Naviance is a web-based service designed especially for students and
families. Naviance is used to help track and analyze data about college and career plans so it provides up-to-date information
that’s specific to our school. Naviance will allow you and your parents to stay ahead of the college process and receive communication from our school.
You will be introduced to the program with your counselor where you will complete an interest inventory. You will be able to
access your Naviance account through your SIS account. It is one of the applications that are available to you.
SOPHOMORE YEAR
◦You will be taking the PSAT in October. This test will help prepare you for the SAT and help identify weaknesses in time to address them.
◦Continue to research colleges and become familiar with general college entrance requirements.
◦Meet with your counselor to discuss post-secondary options.
◦Get involved in activities outside of the classroom. Work toward leadership positions in the activities you like best. Become involved in community service and other volunteer activities. Colleges like to see focus and commitment.
◦Consider taking SAT II Subject Tests in the courses you took this year while the material is still fresh in your mind. These tests are offered in May and June.
◦Keep your grades up.
JUNIOR YEAR
◦Get serious about your schoolwork if you haven’t already. Junior- year grades are extremely important in the college admissions process.
◦Consider applying and enrolling in the dual enrollment program at CCP to earn college credits.
◦Stay involved with your activities.
◦Take the PSAT in October to practice for the SAT
◦Attend the college visitation sessions offered at the high school.
◦Continue using Naviance to access college information and admissions statistics.
◦December/January meet with counselor to discuss the college search and application process.
◦Discuss with your parents the information presented in the junior college meeting. Share with them the information that was
distributed and/or discussed.
◦Practice SAT exam questions by logging on to Khan Academy.
◦Do individual research into colleges best suited to your needs by using computer programs. Don’t forget about using Naviance for critical college information.
◦If still interested in participating in college athletics, become familiar with eligibility requirements by visiting www.eligibilitycenter.org.
◦Check with schools to see if they prefer or require the SAT or ACT. Most colleges accept either test.
◦Take the SAT in the spring. Register online at www.collegeboard.org. See your counselor for a fee waiver, if eligible.
◦Consider taking the ACT exam. Register online at www.act.org. See your counselor for a fee waiver, if eligible.
◦Consider taking the SAT II Subject Tests in June if required for admission or placement at the colleges under consideration.
◦In the spring meet with your counselor to develop a preliminary list of college choices.
◦Identify the characteristics of a college that matter to you – size, location, distance, cost, academic rigor, social environment, diversity, major. Use Naviance to do a college search and view college information. Visit specific college’s websites for the most accurate information.
◦Take Advanced Placement exams if eligible.
◦Make college visits in spring and summer.
◦Over the summer narrow list of college choices to a minimum of one “reach”, one “best match” and one “guarantee.”
◦Update resume of activities, honors, leadership positions, and job experience. This information will be requested on college applications and scholarship forms.
SENIOR YEAR
◦In September schedule a college planning conference with counselor. Decide whether an early decision application is appropriate. Review transcript with counselor to make sure everything is in order.
◦Stay involved with extracurricular activities.
◦Use Naviance to access college information and request that transcripts be sent electronically.
◦Register for fall SAT/ACT testing before December if needed. List colleges who should receive scores at time of registration.
◦In the fall, meet with college admissions representatives that visit Swenson Arts and Technology High School.
◦Finish any campus tours. Sign up for college trips that are being offered.
◦If planning on participating in athletics in college you need to register with the NCAA clearinghouse at: www.eligibilitycenter.org.
◦Research scholarship opportunities by reviewing resources on counseling website. Ask colleges about scholarships for which you may qualify.
◦File financial aid forms after October 1. Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov for more information.
◦Check to see if you need to send the CSS profile for financial aid and scholarship opportunities. Check out www.collegeboard.org for more information.
◦Discuss the college essay with an English teacher.
◦File your applications, electronically, early in your senior year in order to receive the most favorable consideration from the colleges.
◦THANKSGIVING is suggested as a good deadline for first choice applications. All other applications should be completed prior to December vacation (deadline for transcript requests is usually mid-December). It is your responsibility to pay attention to deadlines.
◦Request SAT/ACT scores be sent directly to the colleges. For more information go to www.collegeboard.org or www.act.org. Failure to do so will delay your application process.
◦If a college requires you to obtain recommendations from teachers, it is your responsibility to ask the teacher if he/she would be willing to write one for you via Naviance. Remember the teacher’s teaching responsibilities come first, so allow plenty of time before deadlines. Ask teachers who know you well and who will write positive letters. Letters from a coach, activity
leader, or adult who knows you well outside of school are also valuable.
◦Mid-year grades will be sent to colleges by the counseling office upon request. They are not automatically sent to all colleges to which you have applied.
◦Inquire about personal interviews at your favorite colleges.
◦Follow up to make sure colleges have received all application information including recommendations, transcripts, and test scores.
◦Watch your mail between March 1 and April 1 for acceptances from colleges.
◦Watch mail for notification of financial awards.
◦Make final choice and notify all schools of your intent by May 1.
◦Let your counselor know your decision where you will attend college so that a final transcript can be sent.
◦At anytime during this process do not hesitate to ask your counselor questions.
USEFUL INFORMATION FOR APPLICATIONS
Swenson Arts and Technology High School
2750 Red Lion Road
Philadelphia, PA 19114
Phone #: 215-400-3140
School CEEB Code: 393524