This document provides a college planning timeline and terminology guide for high school students. It outlines important steps and deadlines for each year of high school, including taking standardized tests, applying to colleges, financial aid processes, and more. Key terms are defined, such as public vs. private colleges, rolling vs. early admissions. Tips are provided for success like starting the recommendation letter and transcript request process early, following personal statement guidelines, and getting involved on campus during the first year.

1. COLLEGE PLANNING
TIMELINE
Jill Okey
Assistant Director
Ohio University

2. Terminology to Know
 Public: Institutions that are predominately funded by public means through
the government, not typically religiously affiliated, levels of selectivity vary
 Private: Not operated by governments, although may receive public subsidies,
especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants
 Selective Admission: Universities that have guidelines students must meet for
admission
 Open Enrollment: These institutions do not have minimum academic
standards for general admission to the college
 Rolling Admissions: Applications are reviewed and decisions rendered as they
are submitted
 Early Decision: Decisions are binding, if admitted, a student must withdraw all
other applications
 Early Action: Similar to ED but decisions are NOT binding

3. Terminology to Know: Continued
 Application Fee: This is the payment required at the time of application
 Enrollment Deposit: Typically confirms your intent to enroll at a school
 FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
 Grant: Monies that do NOT require repayment, typically need-based
 Loan: Monies that requires re-payment (Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized)
 Scholarship: Merit-based, Need-Based, Athletic, Talent- do NOT require
repayment
 Work-Study: This a form of financial aid where students work on campus
for a paycheck. Students can opt out if they are not interested in work
 Common Application: One application that can be submitted to multiple
institutions- many will require a college-specific supplement
 NCAA Eligibility Center: All students interested in Division I or II sports
must pass through the Clearinghouse (*NAIA)

4. Set the Expectation: Programming
 Junior/Senior Planning Workshops
 Early Spring for Juniors, Early Fall for Seniors
 Post presentation online for parents to view
 NCAA Eligibility Center Information Night
 Early Fall
 Include Athletic Director, Coaches and NCAA Compliance Official
from local college/university
 Financial Aid Information Night
 Mid-January
 Involved Local College/University Financial Aid Office
 Website with resources, timelines, check lists

5. Set the Expectation: College Visits
 Create a “college must-haves” list prior to your visits
 Schedule all visits at least two weeks in advance
 Meet with your academic area of interest
 Athlete? Set up a meeting with the coach
 Eat in a Dining Hall
 Check out the bulletin boards/ campus newspaper
 See if there is an event taking place on campus, join in!

6. Set the Expectation: College Fairs
 Create a “college must-haves” list prior to the fair
 Do you know what colleges are attending? Plot your route
 Plan your questions ahead of time
 Bring along address labels: saves time for conversation
 Students should ask the questions, not parents
 Take notes!

7. Set the Expectation:
College Entrance Exams
 Register for the exam by the due date
 Provide photo when registering for exam.
 Need accommodations? Take action early.
 Register for “Question of the Day” e-mail/text service
 Study: guides, prep-courses, past curriculum
 Get a good night’s sleep, wake up early, eat breakfast
 Remind students to manage their time, to read each question
thoroughly and to bring photo ID to exam.

8. Freshman Year
 Fall- Winter
 Build a strong foundation of classes, get the basics out of the way
 Get involved in extra/co-curricular activities
 Athlete? Be sure to learn the NCAA requirements
 Winter-Spring
 Keep your grades up
 Set sights on leadership roles
 Consider possible career fields
 Summer
 Get a part-time, summer job
 Keep reading to increase your vocabulary

9. Sophomore Year
 Fall-Winter
 Register and begin studying for the PSAT and PLAN tests
(September)
 Take the PSAT/PLAN Tests (October)
 Review the results with your parents & school counselor (December)
 Winter-Spring
 Keep your grades up!
 Explore careers by completing a job shadowing experience
 Register (April) and take (June) SAT Subject Tests
 Summer
 Research colleges online

10. Junior Year
 Fall
 Register, Take and Review PSAT Test
 (Scores could qualify you for a National Merit Award)
 Meet with your school counselors to discuss your plans
 Register for the ACT and SAT
 Review NCAA Eligibility Center requirements to ensure compliance
 Examine skills, interests & abilities to narrow down academic plan
 Winter
 Create a list of colleges & make plans for Spring/Summer visits
 Keep your grades up, Junior year GPA is what colleges first see
 Challenge yourself with your senior year curriculum

11. Junior Year: Continued
 Spring
 Take college entrance exams (SAT/ACT)
 Line up teachers, counselor & others to write letters of
recommendation
 Attend college fairs in the local area
 Do research on majors that interest you
 Summer
 College Visits!
 Narrow list of colleges to those at which you plan to apply
 Understand their application process, Know their deadlines
 Prepare your personal statement & resume to send with applications
 Complete the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Center form

12. Senior Year
 Fall
 Register for the fall ACT and SAT exams
 Meet with your school counselors to discuss your plans
 Submit applications to the colleges you have selected
 Request that your official transcripts be sent
 Apply for a FAFSA Pin Number
 Determine if your schools require the CSS Profile
 Apply for scholarships
 Winter
 Complete the FAFSA between January 1st and mid-February
 Take a second look at the schools to which you’ve been admitted
 Begin the enrollment process by submitting the housing deposit at your top
pick

13. Senior Year: Continued
 Spring
 Complete the financial aid process by accepting your award package
 May 1st is the National College Reply Date
 Confirm your intent to enroll (housing deposit submission) by this date
 Let all colleges/universities know what your plans are for fall
 Attend admitted student programming both on & off campus
 Register for new student orientation
 Complete final stages of NCAA Eligibility Center
 Summer
 Get a job to help fund your college experience
 Attend orientation
 Connect with your roommate

14. Tips for Success:
College Deadline vs. Counselor Deadline
 Letter of Recommendation Timeline
 Due December 1st vs. Request by November 1st
 Transcript Request Timeline
 Due December 1st vs. Request by November 15th
 Application Submission Timeline
 Early Decision, Early Action, Restrictive Early Action
 November 1st vs. October 15th
 December 1st vs. November 15th
 Rolling Admission
 February 1st vs. January 15th

15. Tips for Success:
Personal Statements
 Follow prompt and guidelines (if given)
 A good essay is a good STORY. Show a snapshot of yourself.
 Write in your own voice!!
 Be genuine, don’t try to impress the reader.
 SHOW don’t tell.
 Uniqueness and creativity are valued.
 Proofread, Proofread, Proofread!

16. Tips for Success:
The Admissions Review
 Course Selection vs. Course Offerings
 Course Selection/Grades vs. Intended Major
 Grade Trend!!
 Standardized Test Performance
 Personal Statement
 Passionate Extracurricular Involvement
 There is NO magic formula!

17. Tips for Success:
Thriving in Your First Year
 Get Involved: Clubs, Organizations, Intramurals,
Academics, Residence Hall
 Expand your horizons… meet new people
 Ask for help before you need it
 Learn about Resources: Library, Tutoring, Academic
Advisor, Office Hours
 Work Hard & Manage your time well
 Find balance between work and play
 Make healthy choices: eat well, work out, relax

18. QUESTIONS?!