College | Career

• Select classes that best fit you and will best prepare you for college, considering Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Enrollment courses (11th and 12th), and hands-on electives.
• Meet Student Services to discuss your career interests and the college major(s) associated with those interests. This meeting will be scheduled during the second semester.
• Attend the Christian College Fair hosted by MCS and other local college and career fairs. It is still early enough to start familiarizing yourself with the process.
• Participate in extracurricular activities such as sports, chorus, clubs, and community service.
• Go on a few college campus visits to see what they are like and learn what to expect from a college/university.

September/October/November

• Attend college fairs, including the Christian College Fair hosted by MCS.
• Learn more about colleges by researching online and talking with college reps visiting MCS.
• All juniors will take the PSAT/NMSQT in October. This will help you prepare to take the SAT in the Spring.
• Plan to visit your top choice colleges. Look on their websites to see when they offer fall or spring open Houses and/or make an appointment for a campus visit.

December/January

• Review your PSAT/NMSQT results. Top scores could be eligible for specific scholarships.
• Choosing an area of study or a major is an essential first step to post-secondary planning. Think about your interests, values, and abilities.
• Register to take the SAT in the Spring at least one month before the exam date.
• Start to narrow down your college choices.

February/March/April

• If you are taking an AP class, ensure you are beginning to prepare for the test.
• Create a college file to keep brochures, notes on college visits, and other valuable information.
• Begin visiting colleges that interest you. Many colleges will have visit days primarily geared toward juniors, so this is a great time to get on campus, meet with professors, and get a feel for the campus while students are still there. Students are permitted two excused absences for college visits.
• Meet with Student Services to discuss your college/career plans and set up a summer plan. This meeting will be scheduled during the first semester.
• Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers, coaches, employers, or community mentors you know. This way, they will be done when you return in the fall.

May/June/July

• If you are an athlete who plans to play a sport in college, you will need to register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
• Find a full-time or part-time job or participate in a summer camp/volunteer experience to help build your resume.
• Create a resume to give to prospective references.
• Visit college websites if you are unable to visit in person.
• Visit college campuses throughout the summer to help narrow choices to your top 3-5 schools.
• Look into overnight or weekend college visitation programs.
• Take note of upcoming SAT registration and test dates.

September

• Schedule your senior interview during the first quarter.
• Create an overview or calendar that includes college application due dates, financial aid application forms required, and their deadlines. Review if SAT scores are required or not.
• If you would like to increase your score, register to retake the SAT.
• Visit websites for free test prep and practice exams for the SAT, or enroll in an online class.
• Continue to visit or give a second look at college campuses.

October

• Try to finalize your college choices and begin completing college applications.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after October 1; this must be considered for most federal, state, and college-based aid. The FAFSA serves as the application for the Pennsylvania State Grant Program. You can access the FAFSA online.
• If you still need to, request recommendation letters from teachers, coaches, school counselors, and youth leaders. Give them at least two weeks to complete.
• Request transcripts from your counselor. Allow 7-10 school days for your transcript to be sent to colleges, even if you have applied online.
• Learn about college financial aid and FAFSA by attending the Christian College Fair and the step-by-step guide provided to you and your parents.
• If needed, take the SAT you may have registered to take again.

November

• For early decision or early action deadlines, your materials will be due between November 1 and November 15
• Complete at least one college application by Thanksgiving; this is an excellent time to complete it.

December/January

• Let the counselor know if the colleges you applied to require mid-year grades.
• Explore scholarship information online and check out the scholarship page of MCS’s website.
• Complete all college applications by Christmas break.
• Contact the college’s financial aid office to see what student aid programs exist on a state or campus level.
• Check with the financial aid offices to see if they have specific financial aid requirements and/or deadlines.
• Continue to do your best for the second semester – accepting colleges, do look at your second-semester senior classes and grades, which will be on your final high school transcript.

February

• Submit all the necessary paperwork or applications for any private or outside scholarships you may have identified.
• Be sure you have submitted all required forms: the college admissions application, the FAFSA, any private scholarships, and any state or school-specific forms necessary for financial aid.
• Watch your email for your Student Aid Report (SAR). The SAR is the U.S. Department of Education’s reply to your submitted FAFSA and summarizes your financial aid eligibility for federal programs.

April-June

• You should have received your admission letters and financial aid packages by mid-April.
• Make a final enrollment decision and submit an enrollment deposit, if requested
• If a school accepts you, but you will not be attending, notify the school of your decision not to attend.

By May 1

• You should send your deposit to the college that you are attending.
• If you are waitlisted, contact that school’s admissions office to find out what you can do to strengthen your application.
• Request the guidance office to send your final high school transcript to the college you are attending.
• The Pennsylvania State Grant (FAFSA Application) deadline is May 1; check with the college financial aid office to see if they have specific FAFSA application requirements and/or deadlines.
• Take any A.P. exams you signed up to take.

June

• Remember to request your final transcripts. Your school will need to see these to verify your performance during senior year (Student Services automatically mail official transcripts to colleges one week after graduation)
• Plan for college orientation, transportation, and housing for the fall.