College Counseling: Checklists

Introduction
III Form
IV Form
V Form
VI Form

Click on one of the tabs above to see a suggested college placement time line for each class year at St. Mark’s. In addition, you will find what we hope is useful advice to students as they start to think more and more about the college process.

While the formal college counseling process starts during the winter of the V Form year, the college counselors welcome the opportunity to meet and offer guidance to any member of the Lower Forms. We do not wish for students to feel the added pressures of college applications at an unnecessarily early stage in their high school experience but we understand it is natural for younger students to think of ways they can prepare themselves in and out of the classroom with college aspirations in mind.

III Form

Build strong academic, mathematical, and critical thinking skills by taking challenging courses at the appropriate level and participating in activities.

September	Apply for a Social Security Number, if not done already
March	Course selection time. Make sure you take courses that are challenging yet appropriate for you.

IV Form

Concentrate on academic preparation and continue to develop basic skills while being involved in extracurricular activities.

October	PSAT is offered. The PSAT for IV Formers serves as preparation for the V Form PSAT
March	Course selection time. Make sure that you are taking courses that are challenging yet appropriate for you and that will meet graduation requirements
March	If you are taking an honors level course and doing well, consider registering for the SAT Subject tests given in June
June	SAT Subject tests are offered

V Form

Begin the college counseling process. In the winter, meet with your college counselor and attend the group workshops and the BISCCA College Fair in April. Students should take the SAT and/or the ACT at least once during their V Form year.

September	Registration for the PSAT given in October is done automatically by the CCO Register for December SAT and ACT at St. Mark's
October	PSAT is offered. The PSAT for V Formers is also the National Merit Qualifying Test.
November	Attend Class Meeting to get a general overview of what lies ahead in the college process. Consider registering for the January SAT Reasoning and the February ACT
December	Results of the PSAT arrive. Read your PSAT score report thoroughly to see in what areas you need to improve. SAT Reasoning is offered and St. Mark's is a test center (most V Formers will take it in December)
January	Complete V Form Questionnaire on Naviance Familiarize yourself with the College Handbook Attend group meetings to begin to familiarize yourself with the college process. Encourage your parents to attend the kick-off Parent Program. Consider taking the SAT Reasoning. Sign up to have an individual meeting with your college counselor
February	Try a college search on a website that is listed in the handbook or on Naviance. Meet with your college counselor and start to develop a preliminary list if you plan on visiting colleges over spring break. Discuss a standardized testing plan Consider taking the ACT. St. Mark's is a test center Register for any tests you may wish to take in March or April Arrange visits to colleges for spring break, if possible and convenient If you are an athlete, get in touch with college coaches either through their websites or by writing letters and emails
March	Visit various types of colleges over spring break if possible Consider registering for the ACT in April Consider registering for the SAT Subject or Reasoning tests in May and or June
April	Continue to meet with your college counselor and discuss standardized testing plans and possible courses for VI Form year Research colleges; look in handbook for list of sources Attend any focus meetings relative to your interests Attend the Spring College Fair
May	Take SAT subject tests and AP exams, if planned Continue to meet with your college counselor Begin to refine a preliminary college list Registration for the ACT given in June Brainstorm which teachers you might ask to write recommendations Musicians, thespians and artists should talk with teachers about CD’s and portfolios
June	Take SAT subject tests if planned Plan summer college visits- tours, information sessions, and interviews; remember appointments do fill early. Try to visit with professors and/or coaches if appropriate
July-August	Visit and tour colleges, interview when possible. Complete Common Application and summer questionnaire Take an SAT preparatory class at home, if you wish Register for the September ACT or the October SAT Continue to revise your college list If you are an athlete, try to attend a summer camp at a school you are interested in attending or a recruiting showcase. Musicians and artists should begin to make portfolios and tapes

VI Form

Apply to colleges. Make decisions. Attend informational sessions with college admission representatives at St. Mark’s. Continue to meet with your college counselor and prepare to graduate from high school.

September	Hand in your Common Application and fall questionnaire to your Counselor by September 30 Meet with your counselor to discuss your thoughts on colleges that you visited Confirm which teachers will write your recommendations Work on applications, especially essays Financial Aid applicants file a CSS Profile registration form Attend college fairs and sign up for any interviews or college visits on Naviance Encourage your parents to attend the VI Form Fall meeting Review your testing plan with your counselor Register for any Nov. or Dec. SAT’s you wish to take Register for the October ACT Check your email, voicemail, and mailbox for pertinent information
October	Continue to meet with your college Counselor If you take an SAT consider having your scores sent to four colleges ACT is offered Early applicants should hand in Secondary School report forms to the college office Early applicants should touch base with teachers about recommendations Work on applications and essays Attend college fairs and sign up for any interviews or small group meetings Consider visiting a college or two if there is a day off from classes Check your email, voicemail, and mailbox for pertinent information Complete all early applications
November	SAT tests are offered. Consider having the scores sent to colleges on your list. Registration for the ACT given in December Early applications are due November 1 and 15 Continue to meet with your college counselor Check your email, voicemail, and mailbox for pertinent information
December	ACT is offered Continue to work on applications (even if you applied early) Wait for decision letters if you applied early (mailed by Dec 15) Hand in all Secondary School report forms to the college office and all teacher recommendation forms with stamped addressed envelopes to your instructors Hand in your final list of colleges to the college office before break and update the office and your teachers on any early results Check your email, voicemail, and mailbox for pertinent Information Thank your teachers for their recommendations
January-March	Keep working grades still matter! If you are applying for Financial Aid, CSS Profile and FAFSA forms are due in early February Attend VI Form transition program
April	Receive decision letters between March 25 and April 15 Meet with your college counselor if you plan to stay on a waiting list Notify the college office and your teachers of your decisions Return all reply cards to colleges, even if you are not attending Attend re-visit days to the college of your choice so that you can perhaps register for classes.
May	Mail in deposit to one college Fill out final college forms and return to the college office Fill out all forms for housing and classes, research to see if you have summer reading. Sign up for orientation programs.