In January of your junior year, your college search process will start in earnest when you begin to work with your assigned college guidance counselor. Your counselor will get to know you, recommend colleges for you to explore, help you with your college essays and applications, write a detailed counselor recommendation letter, transmit your George School credentials to colleges to complete your applications, keep you on track, and support you throughout the process.

COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

In October of junior year, students receive a more detailed version of this timeline as part of the College Guidance Handbook. Students and parents can find the College Guidance Handbook in the Family Connection Document Library in Naviance.

Freshman Year

Winter:
Work with your advisor to create a four-year course plan.

Spring:
Activate your Family Connection account and explore its features.

Sophomore Year

Fall:
See the Learning Specialist to discuss standardized testing accommodations if you have a documented disability or learning difference.

Winter:
Take the PSSS, a voluntary, unofficial practice test for the PSAT.

June:
Take SAT Subject Test(s) in math, science, or foreign language if appropriate.

Junior Year

September:
Attend required College Guidance assembly for all juniors.

October:
Take PSAT/NMSQT.

Thanksgiving Break:
Create an account on www.collegeboard.com (if you haven’t already) and register for the January SAT Reasoning Test.

December:
Review your PSAT/NMSQT score report and use it to help prepare for the SAT Reasoning Test.

Complete the personality/interest inventory in Family Connection, and read about potential college majors and careers.

January:
Attend small-group orientation meeting with the College Guidance staff; become familiar with the College Guidance Handbook.

Take the SAT Reasoning Test at George School.

Conference Day (before Midwinter Break):
Attend College Guidance assembly for juniors and junior parents.
February:
Complete College Guidance questionnaires; attend first individual meeting with your
college counselor.

Parents are encouraged to submit junior parent questionnaire.

Spring Break: Research colleges on your “prospective” list and visit one or two
if possible.

Throughout the spring:
If you are a potential college athlete, consult with your current coaches and contact college coaches.

April:
If your first language is not English, take the TOEFL.

Some juniors take the ACT.

Attend a second individual meeting with your college counselor.

May:
Take SAT Reasoning or Subject Tests recommended by your counselor.

Some juniors take IB and/or AP exams.

June:
Take SAT Reasoning or Subject Tests recommended by your counselor.

Senior Year

Summer:
Research colleges; visit and interview if possible.

Begin work on the Common Application.

Write a draft of your college essay.

If your first language is not English, take the TOEFL in your home country.

Reread the College Guidance Handbook.

Early fall:
Attend all-senior meeting with College Guidance staff.

Meet with your college counselor to put application plans in place.

Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if you are a potential Division 1 or 2 athlete.

Ask one or two teachers to write college recommendations for you.

October:
Submit Early Decision, Early Action, and/or Rolling Decision application(s).

Take SAT Reasoning or Subject Tests and/or ACT.

Parents Visiting Day: College Guidance workshop for senior parents.

Throughout the fall:
Meet with college representatives who visit George School.

Visit prospective colleges.

November:
Take SAT Reasoning or Subject Tests if necessary.

December:
Take SATs or ACT one last time if necessary.

Complete college applications with January due dates.

Review financial aid information from College Guidance.

Families of international students complete financial documentation forms.

January:
File financial aid forms if you are applying for aid.

Complete all remaining college applications.

April:
Make final visits to colleges that have accepted you.

May:
Choose your college by May 1. Complete all required enrollment forms and procedures.

Many seniors take IB and/or AP exams.

George School Commencement!

June:
College Guidance mails your final transcript to your college.