Whether teens are freshmen or seniors in high school, it's never too early for them to start planning for college. Give your students this handy tear-out timeline to help them stay on track.

• 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 prelimi- nary version of the ACT), the PSAT (preliminary SAT), or, if you think you're ready, the "real thing"—the ACT or SAT.
• Check out some options by going to a college fair. (For a Christian col- lege fair near you, check out www.gospelcom.net/naccap/fairs/.)

• 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 resumé and increase your savings 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.

• If you haven't done it already, discuss your college plans with your guidance counselor.

• 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 may qualify for.
• Double-check your senior year course schedule to make sure you're not leaving anything out.
• Visit colleges you're most interested in.
• Look into pre-college programs for the summer, where you can earn college credit and get a glimpse of 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 about 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.
• Begin writing drafts of your application essays. Ask your parents and a teacher to edit them.
• Send in early admission applications. (Many are due as early as November.)
• If you're unhappy 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.

• The acceptance letters have arrived and you've chosen your school. As a courtesy, contact those schools you've decided not to attend. This allows them to cross you off their list and pursue other candidates.

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

Copyright © 2005 by the author or Christianity Today International/Campus Life magazine.
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