It's October- What Should I be Doing to Prepare for College (Checklist)

October Checklist

October is here, and normally that would mean football games and homecoming dances. COVIS-19 may have postponed these activities, but the college application season is in full swing.

Here’s an October checklist of things all high school students should be doing now to prepare for college.

Seniors

Start submitting those applications!
Look at application deadlines for Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Admission. Many colleges have early deadlines in October and November.
Complete the Common App. Hopefully, the only thing left is completing last-minute edits to your essay.
Some schools require you to apply through their portal. For those schools, create an account and start the application.
Send SAT and ACT scores to the colleges where you are applying.
Request high school transcripts to be sent to the schools where you are applying.
Update your calendar with new deadlines! It’s crunch time, and managing deadlines needs to be a top priority.
Start looking at scholarship opportunities and add the deadlines to your calendar. For many schools, to be considered for scholarships, you need to apply by the early deadline.
FAFSA is now open. You and your parents need to complete this. It is required for most scholarships and financial aid.
Be in constant communication with your education consultant and high school counselor.
Check counseling department updates for deadlines, helpful links, and scholarship updates.
Continue to be involved in the school community. Do volunteer work and participate in school events, even if it is virtual!
Update your Activities and Awards List
ASK FOR HELP when you need it. No one can read your mind!

Juniors

Continue to investigate potential schools. Here’s a helpful blog post: How to Choose The School That is Right for You.
Investigate visiting the schools on your list- whether virtual or in-person.
Reach out to an admission counselor at the schools you are interested in applying. Ask questions and let them get to know you.
Check the counseling department updates each month.
Add potential schools to the dashboard in your Common App. This is a great way to look at the school’s requirements.
Study for the SAT and/or ACT.
Excel in your classes. The best thing you can do in your junior year is to continue to make good grades.
Join a club or volunteer, even if it is virtual!
ASK FOR HELP when you need it.

Sophomores

Grades matter! Do your best so you can take more advanced classes in the coming years.
Be involved! Join clubs, participate in athletics, and find volunteer opportunities. All of these are still possible in a COVID world. Virtual participation is acceptable. Not sure what to do? Ask your counselor or a favorite teacher to help you find ways to be involved.
Build relationships with fellow students and teachers.
Start a list of places where you might want to go to college.
Start a list of careers you might want to pursue.
Update your Activities and Awards list.
Be Healthy- physically and mentally!

Freshmen

Grades! Grades! Grades! You need to have a strong academic first year of high school.
Get involved in the school community. Try new things and meet new people.
Build relationships with students and teachers. Not sure what to do? Ask your counselor or a favorite teacher to help you find ways to be involved.
If you have not already done so, meet with your high school counselor and introduce yourself. It is a good idea to create a tentative plan for all of your high school classes.
Update your Activities and Awards list.
Be Healthy- physically and mentally! The first year of high school can be overwhelming so remember to ASK FOR HELP when you need it!

Are you feeling overwhelmed with the college admissions process? Unraveled Futures can help! We meet students where they are in the college admissions process and tailor services to meet individual needs.

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Susan Ray

Susan is an Education Consultant who is passionate about helping high school students take the next step toward higher education. She has over 10 years of experience in public education and is a certified School Counselor and National Certified Counselor. She also has two years of professional editing and documentation experience.