SUGGESTED TIME LINE FOR COLLEGE PREPARATION

(GRADE 11 - JUNIOR YEAR)

 SPRING TERM

 Check your schedule of courses with your counselor to be sure that you are meeting graduation requirements (Regents OR Regents with Distinction).   Also, check to see that the courses you have taken or plan to take, are in agreement with your future college plans. NCAA regulations also require certain courses in high school.   If you are planning on playing a sport in college, check these regulations!

 Attend any college nights or career fairs that are scheduled during this time.  The Annual Career Awareness Fair and the Buffalo National College Fair are scheduled in late March/early April.  Specific information is available on our High School Counseling Center website.

 Use web sites, college catalogs, trade school directories, the Occupational Outlook Handbook, “Bridges.com”, etc.  in the High School Counseling Center to be better prepared for the future.   

 Those interested in attending a military academy or an ROTC program, should contact area US Congressmen and Senators to obtain applications and letters of recommendation.

 Visit college campuses (especially during summer vacation), talk to college students, etc. - any source closely related to post high school goals.

REGISTER AND TAKE THE SAT AND/OR ACT.   Registration forms are available in the Counseling Center if you wish to register by mail.   If you fail to register by the deadlines below, you will have to pay a late fee!   You may also register for these exams on-line.        

  SAT Registration Website: www.collegeboard.com

  ACT Registration Website:  www.actstudent.org

NOTE:  WHEN YOU REGISTER FOR THESE EXAMS (EITHER BY MAIL OR BY INTERNET), MAKE SURE YOU INDICATE CHEEKTOWAGA CENTRAL’S SIX DIGIT CODE AS YOUR HIGH SCHOOL.   OTHERWISE, YOUR SCORES WILL NOT APPEAR ON YOUR HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS!  OUR HIGH SCHOOL CODE:  331005.

GRADE 12 - SENIOR YEAR

 September:

  Immediately obtain applications for the SAT and/or ACT from the Counseling Center, if you wish to retake these exams OR if you have not taken them.

  Request to receive college catalogs and applications by contacting colleges or by asking your high school counselor.  Consult college reference materials, “choices360.com”, is one of the best relevant web sites to narrow the list of colleges that you are interested in.

 Attend college fairs, visit college campuses. Daemen College Fair occurs in late September. SUNY College Fairs also occur in September at the University at Buffalo.   Listen to PA announcements when college representatives visit the Counseling Center.

Begin to ask teachers for letters of recommendation.   Give your teachers at least two weeks notice to write their letters of recommendation for you. This is especially important if you are applying for Early Decision (November 1).

 October-November

  Be certain to plan to complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid).  The website for completing the FAFSA is www.fafsa.ed.gov.    The site for FAFSA opens up on October 1

  Attend the Western New York Consortium of Colleges, this occurs around the first week of November. Listen to PA announcements, read newsletters for available scholarships, grants, and other forms of financial aid.

  If you are applying for an ATHLETIC SCHOLARSHIP, YOU MUST complete and submit an NCAA Eligibility Clearinghouse form.    Forms are available on-line at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.  NCAA charges approximately $65.00 for this service.

  Remember - we recommend that you should file your college applications with your counselor before Thanksgiving.

December-February:

  If you have not already done so, complete the rest of your college applications before Christmas vacation.    If you plan on having your counselor process your application before winter recess, you must have it submitted to the High School Counseling Center no later than December 10!

 Notify the Counseling Center if colleges need mid-year grades so they can be sent out.   Verify with colleges if they have received all your required information.

March-May:

Continue to check scholarship opportunities especially those offered through Cheektowaga Central.

As college acceptances arrive, make a choice and notify all colleges whether you plan to attend or not. College deposits are due during the first week of May.Notify your counselor of any scholarships received.

PLEASE READ THE ATTACHMENT AT THE TOP OF THIS WEB PAGE, IT HAS HELPFUL HINTS CONCERNING HOW TO WRITE A GOOD COLLEGE ESSAY