College Planning Timeline

Each Year

  • Choose challenging courses

  • Earn top grades

  • Read, Read, Read

  • Get involved in school and community organizations

  • Carefully monitor use of social media

  • Make summer count

Freshman

  • Start using Naviance and explore the resources available 

  • Begin learning about colleges & universities through their websites

Sophomore

  • Attend area college fairs

  • Take the PSAT

  • Visit college campuses

  • Explore possible careers through Naviance 

  • Continue researching colleges & universities

Junior

  • Meet with college representatives who visit Cathedral in the fall 

  • Attend area college fairs

  • Take the PSAT

  • Meet with your college counselor

  • Visit college campuses

  • Take the SAT & ACT

  • Organize a preliminary college list

  • Begin work on college application essays

Senior

  • Meet with your college counselor

  • Take SAT & ACT again (if needed)

  • Finalize college list

  • Request letters of recommendation from counselors & teachers

  • Finalize college application essays

  • Apply for admission at colleges and universities

  • Visit college campuses

  • Meet with college representatives who visit Cathedral 

  • Attend area college fairs

  • Apply for financial aid & scholarships

  • Keep track of college application and scholarship deadlines

  • Make final college decision - You’re going to college!