SAT & Subject(s) Test Schedule

Date	Deadline	Late Deadline(Extra fee applies)
October 1, 2011	TBD	TBD
November 5, 2011	TBD	TBD
December 3, 2011	TBD	TBD
January 28, 2012	TBD	TBD
March 10, 2012	TBD	TBD
May 5, 2012	TBD	TBD
June 2, 2012	TBD	TBD

Register for the SAT Test through College Board

ACT Test Schedule

Date	Deadline	Late Deadline(Extra fee applies)
September 10, 2011	August 12, 2011	August 13-26, 2011
October 22, 2011	September 16, 2011	Sept. 17-30, 2011
December 10, 2011	November 4, 2011	November 5-18, 2011
February 11, 2012	January 13, 2012	January 14-20, 2012
April 14, 2012	March 9, 2012	March 10-23, 2012
June 9, 2012	May 4, 2012	May 5-18, 2012

Register for the ACT Test through www.actstudent.org

*For testing, please bring pencils, erasers, a calculator (check the sites above for specifications), and a watch.  Do NOT bring paper, iPods, cell phones or electronic equipment.

Financial Aid and College Planning Resources

Please check out the following sites that may be useful to you in planning for college.

Careers and Colleges

eCampus Tours

EdSouth

Education Testing Service

Embark

Fast Web

Florida Student Financial Aid

Planning Time Table for High School

9^th Grade Time Table

• This is the year your grades really count!  Meet with your guidance counselor and develop a 4-year plan.  Start developing positive relationships with your teachers.
• Join clubs in and out of school and participate with your class.  Explore activities that offer you an opportunity to develop leadership skills.
• Be active with your church and youth group in community service.
• Keep track of your activities, keeping in mind colleges are attracted to “well-rounded individuals.”
• NOTE: This is when you want to establish a good GPA(grade point average). Keep in mind an A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, F=0. To be eligible for Bright Futures you MUST have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 . You can not fix a poor GPA as a senior so start working hard now.
• Start making a resume of activities, honors and awards (remember, this includes Science Fair awards, character awards, Honor Roll, etc.)  See Guidance Counselor for a student resume form.

10^th Grade Time Table

• In the fall, you will take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test).  This test is a shorter version of the SAT and there are 2 very important reasons why you should take this test: 1) It is formatted after the SAT, it serves as a practice test and provides a score projection with excellent breakdowns to questions missed.  2) It provides excellent practice for the PSAT/National Merit Qualifying Scholarship program which you will take next year.

• Remain active in your church and youth groups.  Stretch yourself and seek leadership positions.
• You will also take the PLAN test.  This is a Pre-ACT test and is a good predictor of performance on the ACT Assessment.  The PLAN is only given once per year and only to sophomores.  So…don’t miss it!  The PLAN includes academic tests in English, math, reading and science reasoning.  It also provides a career interest inventory and a student information section on student plans, needs and goals.  This is a valuable tool.  Take advantage of it!
• Join clubs, but don’t over-participate.  Choose wisely and develop your strengths and leadership qualities.  Be more than just a joiner!  Run for office!  Don’t succumb to peer-pressure.  Remember, you are uniquely made and God has given you your own special gifts and talents.
• Keep in mind your behavior and homework ethic.  You will be asking your teachers to write recommendations for you.  Detentions should be non-existent if you’re serious about college!
• During the summer after your sophomore year, start to think about visiting college campuses.  Call ahead (or check the web site) and make appointments.  Ask to spend the night on campus.  Pick up all application forms and literature.
• Start taking practice college entrance exams.  Invest in study books for both the ACT and the SAT tests. They can be bought at any book store, and are very helpful in improving scores. Ask me for information on colleges you are interested in – take a look at the different college books she has available such as: the College Board College Handbook, Peterson’s College Book or Barron’s Profiles of American Colleges.
• Pre-register for rigorous courses next year.  Take as many honors courses as available.

11^th Grade Time Table

• Get with your Guidance Counselor and review your 4-year plan.  Make sure all of your requirements are being taken care of for graduation.  Strive for excellence and take rigorous courses. Consider taking an AP course. AP courses look great on a transcript! Ask me about them.
• Register and take the PSAT/NMSQT.  This is the year this test counts and by doing well, you may be eligible for scholarships.
• Register to take the SAT and ACT assessment tests.  Take the tests during your second semester of your junior year. Websites are: www.collegeboard.com and www.act.org
• Continue to develop teacher relationships.  ***Some food for thought – Detentions and teacher recommendations are not a good mix!  Having a teacher give you a detention with the right hand may not be favorable about giving you a positive recommendation with the left hand J!
• Your final exams are important!  Study and do your best!  Remember they are 20% of your final grade. They are important! Double check graduation requirements to make sure you’re on track for what you want and need!
• If the military is for you, start the appointment process now for the academies.  Write and ask for the appropriate applications for the academies of your interest.  Request congressional nomination forms for the academies.
• Write an autobiographical essay. Know your strengths and weaknesses!
• Choose a challenging course load for your senior year. Plan to participate in summer outreaches, ministries or community service during the summer.
• Begin e-mailing colleges you are interested in and request more information.
• Write early drafts of your essays so you won’t be overwhelmed in the fall.
• If you plan on participating in Division I or II sports, you will need a copy of the current NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse Student Release Form.  This form must be filed at the Clearinghouse for you to even be considered for an athletic scholarship to play Division I or II sports.  Note: it is NOT needed for Division III programs.  Write to: NCAA Clearinghouse; P.O. Box 4044; Iowa City, Iowa; 52243-4044; U.S.A. or see me for more information.
• Think about your teacher recommendations and who you would like to write one for you.  Request them now if possible so you don’t overwhelm teachers in the fall.  If you know a teacher is leaving, make sure to ask this person now and get a contact address.

12^th Grade Time Table

• Review your transcript and credits with your Guidance Counselor.
• If you have not taken the SAT or ACT exam yet or if you are not satisfied with your score, register to take the first test (this will be an October test date with a September registration date – don’t miss it!!)
• Look over your college choice list and reduce it to six.  Get the information form from the Guidance Office to help select two stretch, two middle and two safe schools.
• Write essays and ask for advice and corrections from the English department.
• Start the application process early and check for deadlines!
• Request recommendations from those well acquainted with you.  Be polite and provide the writer with all necessary information (name of school, addressee information –fill out the top portion of the form!)  Suggestion: Sign the confidentiality waiver, which is usually located at the top of the recommendation form because colleges look favorably upon this (by signing this, you are waiving your right to see the recommendation before the teacher sends it which allows for utmost confidentiality by the teacher and the school.)  Teachers will give their confidential recommendations directly to the Guidance Office.  Copies will be made and your application packet will be sent out from the Guidance Office.
• PARENTS: Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and send it in ASAP after the 1^st of January (forms are available on-line). Their website is: www.fafsa.gov. More information is provided in the section on Financial Aid.
• Make it your goal to have all applications done by Thanksgiving. You should  apply to at least 2 schools using EARLY ACTION. This is not binding but you have the advantage or getting your decision before Christmas and your application is usually viewed more favorably than a later one. Also, many colleges will give you an application fee waiver for applying early.
• You will also fill out the FFAA after January 1^st. This application is required for Florida Bright Futures. It is an easy application and I will help you get this done! J