FALL SEMESTER
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Take the PSAT with school (you can qualify for National Merit Scholarships through the PSAT junior year)
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Go to college fairs and college-prep presentations
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Attend study sessions for the SAT and ACT
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Register (a month ahead) and take the SAT and ACT. Decide which one you like or scored better on.
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Continue to go on college tours to narrow down your list of schools.
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Fill out this college comparision sheet or make your own. http://www.act.org/aap/pdf/CollegeComparisonWorksheet.pdf
SPRING SEMESTER
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Meet with your counselor and discuss college options
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Narrow down you list of colleges. Make sure to include colleges that you are likely to be accepted, might be accepted, and reach schools.
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Take the SAT/ACT again as needed
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Ask teachers for recommendation letters.
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Start writing the Common Application essay (prompts are usually the same from year to year, so you can look up last year's prompts).
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Make a list of when college's applications will be released for the upcoming school year.
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If the schools you want to apply to require SAT subject tests; take them now.