High School Planning Calendar


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Eighth Grade Year

  • Attend transition to high school meeting the first week in January (see calendar) prior to optioning.
  • Develop academic four-year plan prior to optioning.

Freshman Year

  • Take challenging academic courses, i.e. AA courses.
  • Get involved in extra-curricular activities.
  • Commit to a volunteer project.
  • Meet with guidance counselor to review academic plan prior to optioning.
  • Attend meeting about building a high school transcript, the importance of extra-curricular activities and the impact of entrance tests (usually in April see calendar).
  • Consider taking SAT Subject Tests in Latin and Math Level I after Algebra II.
  • Plan worthwhile summer activities, i.e. programs at colleges, volunteer work.

Sophomore Year

  • Continue taking challenging academic courses, i.e. AA and AP courses.
  • Continue involvement in volunteer and extra-curricular activities.
  • Take the PSAT in October.
  • Attend meeting about advanced course selection and paying for college (Potluck Supper on October 12, 2008 from 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.).
  • Take the PLAN in November.
  • Attend academic review sessions after receiving the PSAT and PLAN results (usually early February see calendar).
  • Become familiar with resources provided by the guidance counselors, the College Information Center and the library.
  • Begin to build a college file, gathering materials about colleges of interest. Use school vacations to visit college campuses.
  • Develop personal resume recording activities and achievements.
  • Write two introspective essays, both to be critiqued by an English teacher. Select topics from list of college essays to be provided.
  • Take AP Exams as appropriate.
  • After completing the related coursework, consider taking SAT Subject Tests in Latin, United States History and/or Math Level I and II.
  • Plan worthwhile summer activities i.e. programs at colleges, volunteer work.

Junior Year

  • Continue taking challenging academic courses, i.e. AA and AP courses.
  • Continue involvement in volunteer and extra-curricular activities.
  • Accept leadership roles.
  • Continue to add activities, awards and achievements to your personal resume.
  • Visit the College Information Center to develop a list of colleges, including “stretch” and “sure bet” schools. Think about what you seek in college: location/size/specific major/competitiveness.
  • Take the PSAT in October. This test determines National Merit Scholarship qualifiers. Attend academic review sessions after receiving the PSAT results (see calendar).
  • Attend college-entrance information session with guidance counselors on January 13, 2009 from 7:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. Review sample FAFSA form and sign up for individual meeting with guidance counselor to be held in Fe/liuary and March.
  • Think about which teachers you will ask to write recommendations.
  • If you intend to seek an athletic scholarship, start contacting coaches at the schools that most interest you.
  • Take sample SAT and ACT tests. Consider attending SAT and/or ACT preparation courses.
  • Take SAT Reasoning test, ACT and appropriate SAT Subject Tests.
  • Ask colleges of interest to let you know when a representative will be in town; attend their presentations.
  • Visit colleges when and if possible. Students are permitted two (2) excused absences during junior and senior year for college visitation.
  • Write a response to the common application essay. Submit to English teacher for editing.
  • Parents and student may schedule an individual meeting with their guidance counselor in the spring for college planning and graduation requirements.
  • Note any early action or early decision deadlines at colleges of choice.
  • Develop a timeline for college and scholarship application deadlines.
  • Research scholarship opportunities.
  • Take AP Exams as appropriate.
  • Plan worthwhile summer activities i.e. programs at colleges, volunteer work.

Senior Year - Fall

  • Continue taking challenging academic courses, i.e. AA and AP courses.
  • Continue involvement in volunteer and extra-curricular activities.
  • Visit the College Information Center for college catalogs, applications, scholarship information and essay assistance. Research scholarship options and track deadlines.
  • Meet individually with guidance counselor to narrow list of colleges and discuss financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
  • Students attend meeting with counselors to learn how to complete common application and parents attend meeting to hear parents’ perspectives of the college application process. (usually September see calendar)
  • Student athletes should complete and mail the NCAA Clearinghouse application.
  • Note any early action or early decision deadlines at colleges of choice.
  • Visit colleges of major interest. Plan an overnight in a dorm if possible.
  • Ask colleges of interest to let you know when a representative will be in town; attend their presentations.
  • Investigate scholarship opportunities and internships listed in the College Guidance Bulletin.
  • Complete the College Manager Form, a timeline for college and scholarship application deadlines, which is available in the College Information Center.
  • Take any additionally needed SAT or ACT tests in October or early November.
  • Ask for recommendations from faculty well in advance of deadlines. Include stamped, pre-addressed envelopes for sending the recommendations to colleges.
  • Submit drafts of application essays to at least one adult reviewer for editing.
  • Submit all applications to your counselor between Halloween and Thanksgiving.
  • Send supplemental information to colleges as it becomes available, i.e., awards.

    Senior Year - Winter

  • Complete official FASFA (financial aid form) available in Counselors’ Office or on the Internet. If required, complete the CSS/Financial Aid Profile.
  • Attend a Walnut Hills Financial Aid information session (usually December see calendar)

    • Senior Year - Spring

  • Meet Acceptance Reply Date. Write to inform and thank colleges whose offers you did not accept.
  • Write thank-you notes to teachers who wrote letters of recommendation.
  • Take any remaining AP exams.
  • Complete the Future Plans/ Final Transcript request form.
  • Create a college budget and begin applying for additional student loans, if necessary.