College Planning Timeline

So you're thinking about going to college. Where you go to school is one of the most important choices you'll make, so you need to do some planning and preparation. But where do you start?

There are thousands of colleges to choose from and career options are changing every day. As you identify your own unique preferences that will make one school the perfect fit, you should consider everything from career placement to cable connections. Yes, cable connections. No reason is foolish if it is truly important to you.

Just remember to do your planning


JUNIOR YEAR

SEPTEMBER - NOVEMBER

  1. Review your courses for this year and plan for your senior year. Be sure to take courses required for admission or preparation in your field of study.
  2. Check on the availability of advanced placement courses. If your high school does not offer any, check with your local college.
  3. Meet with your high school counselor to review career options and college majors.

NDSU REMINDERS

  1. Review freshmen admission requirements and look around the campus by taking the virtual tour.
  2. Compare advance placement courses at your school to the course equivalents at NDSU. Call 800-488-NDSU or 231-8643 and request the Credit by Examination Fact Sheet or read more about Advanced Placement equivalents at NDSU on the Web.

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DECEMBER - FEBRUARY

  1. Identify your academic strengths and weakness, and areas of study you may want to continue at the college level. Ask your high school counselor for assistance.
  2. Do some job shadowing to learn more about careers that interest you.
  3. Develop a financial plan. Check out financial aid/scholarship information at www.finaid.org.

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MARCH - MAY

  1. Consider taking the ACT or SAT. Go to www.act.org or www.collegeboard.com for updates and registration information.
  2. Research colleges that offer majors that interest you. Ask your high school counselor for assistance, attend college fairs, look at college Web sites and call schools that interest you for more information.
  3. Keep studying hard; seek help in subjects that are giving you difficulty.

NDSU REMINDERS

  1. If you're taking the ACT or SAT, list NDSU as one of the schools you'd like to receive test scores. The ACT code for NDSU is 3202 and the SAT code is 6474.
  2. Take a look at NDSU. Daily visits include a meeting with an admission counselor, a campus tour with a current student and, when possible, a meeting with a faculty member in your area(s) of academic interest. Schedule a visit by calling 800-488-NDSU or 231-8643 or e-mail us at ndsu.admission@ndsu.edu. It's best to contact us at least a week in advance.

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JUNE - JULY

  1. Continue to evaluate colleges on your list.
  2. Stay involved in extracurricular and public service activities; many schools consider more than grades and test scores.
  3. Save money from your summer job for college expenses.
  4. Visit colleges so you can narrow your list. Plan to tour the campus, meet with an admission counselor, a faculty member and students in your interest area. Students may be on summer break, but you can get a feel for the campus layout.

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SENIOR YEAR

AUGUST

  1. Begin narrowing your list of college choices.
  2. Remember to schedule a time to take the ACT or SAT if you haven't already. Go to www.act.org or www.collegeboard.com for schedules and registration information.
  3. Research private scholarship sources and contact them for application information.

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SEPTEMBER

  1. Attend college fairs.
  2. Visit college Web sites or contact schools you are interested in for information and applications.
  3. Make sure you're aware of application deadlines.
  4. Ask teachers, coaches, counselors and other mentors for letters of recommendation.

NDSU REMINDERS

  1. Visit an NDSU representative at a college fair.
  2. Students can begin filing the NDSU Application for Admission this month. Although there is no deadline, it is best to send your application during the first half of the year to be assured that information about scholarships, housing and orientation/registration is received in a timely matter. Apply online using the electronic application.

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OCTOBER

  1. Schedule a second campus visit to your top choices. See what campuses are like when classes are in session.
  2. Get started on your application essay if one is required at colleges that interest you. Ask for input from your English teacher.
  3. Complete and submit college applications, especially if you are applying on an early decision basis.

NDSU REMINDERS

  1. If you're taking the ACT or SAT, list NDSU as one of the schools you'd like to receive test scores. The ACT code for NDSU is 3202 and the SAT code is 6474. For more information on the tests, see www.act.org or www.collegeboard.com.
  2. If you haven't been to campus yet, visit during Discover NDSU. Dates and times are available on the Campus Visit Opportunities page.

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NOVEMBER

  1. Collect scholarship applications and check deadlines.

NDSU REMINDERS

  1. Residence Life begins mailing Housing Contracts to accepted students this month. You will receive a housing application after you apply for admission to the university. Applications are processed on a first-come first-serve basis. Take a look at the residence halls.
  2. Students with outstanding academic records are encouraged to apply for New Student Scholarships. Call and request an application or get one online. The deadline for the general scholarship application is February 1.
  3. Schedule a visit to campus if you have not officially visited. Call the Campus Visit Coordinator at least a week before your visit. Call 800-488-NDSU or 231-8643. You can submit your request to ndsu.admission@ndsu.edu.

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DECEMBER

  1. Apply to colleges remaining on your list if you haven't already. Keep copies of your applications. Promptly return all forms mailed to you by colleges where you've applied.
  2. Submit a request for housing or find out about housing options in the community if arrangements aren't made for you.

NDSU REMINDERS

  1. If you're taking the ACT or SAT, list NDSU as one of the schools you'd like to receive test scores. The ACT code for NDSU is 3202 and the SAT code is 6474.
  2. Be sure to take time over the holiday break to complete paperwork such as the Application for Admission, Housing Contract or New Student Scholarship Application.

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JANUARY

  1. Pick up a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from your high school, college financial aid offices or the Department of Education Web site at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
  2. See if any of the colleges you are considering offer an early financial aid estimate and check on deadlines for financial aid applications.
  3. Make sure you've submitted all required paperwork to colleges where you've applied, such as deposits, housing contracts, or supplemental applications for selective programs.
  4. Attend financial aid information programs at your high school.

NDSU REMINDERS

  1. In January begin working on the FAFSA. The priority consideration deadline for NDSU is April 15. Be sure the application is in the mail by March 15 to allow time for delivery and processing. NDSU's code is 002997. The Office of Student Financial Services offers some advice on completing the form. You can complete the form on-line.
  2. The New Student Scholarship Application is due February 1. Check with your high school guidance counselor and local organizations for more scholarship opportunities.

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FEBRUARY

  1. Complete the FAFSA after you and your parents complete your tax returns. Submit it as soon as possible after January 1, and preferably by the priority deadline listed in the FAFSA.
  2. Keep your grades up.

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MARCH

  1. Continue saving.
  2. Watch the mail for information on admission, scholarship opportunities and housing.

NDSU REMINDERS

  1. Submit the FAFSA by March 15 to meet NDSU's April 15 priority consideration deadline.
  2. If you have completed all of your paperwork as recommended, you will receive a Financial Aid Award Estimate from the NDSU Office of Student Financial Services. This gives an estimate of your aid eligibility. You should also receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) from the processor to confirm the information you provided on the FAFSA is correct. Carefully review the SAR.
  3. Schedule a visit to campus if you have not officially visited. Call the Campus Visit Coordinator at least a week before your visit. Call 800-488-NDSU or 231-8643. You can submit your request to ndsu.admission@ndsu.edu.

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APRIL

  1. Decide which college you want to attend.
  2. Start looking for a summer job.
  3. Don't be afraid to ask questions. This is a new experience for you. Call schools and ask for help if you need it.

NDSU REMINDERS

  1. Visit campus during Discover NDSU. Dates and times are available on the Campus Visit Opportunities page.
  2. Transfer students from Minnesota will receive a reciprocity form by mail. New freshman applying for admission within 12 months of graduating from high school do not need to complete this form.
  3. If you have been admitted, you will receive orientation and advance registration information in the mail. Be sure to send the form back promptly. Learn more about Orientation by visiting the Orientation & Student Success page.

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MAY

  1. Send thank you notes to teachers, counselors, coaches and other mentors who helped you in the process.
  2. Notify colleges where you were accepted but will not attend.
  3. Watch the mail for orientation schedules, registration deadlines and housing assignments.

NDSU REMINDERS

  1. Have you final transcripts sent to NDSU.
  2. If you have completed all of your paperwork as recommended, you should receive a housing assignment and official financial aid award notice this month.

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JUNE

  1. Have your high school send your final transcript to the college you will attend.
  2. Enjoy your graduation.

NDSU REMINDERS

  1. Orientation and advance registration programs for freshmen and transfer students begin in June with several options to accommodate your schedule. Learn more about Orientation and check out the dates by visiting the Orientation & Student Success page.

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JULY

  1. Continue saving.
  2. Investigate your tuition and housing payment options.
  3. Start preparing for a challenging, enlightening and rewarding college experience.


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Site Manager: Office of Admission
Last Updated: Tuesday, 24-Jul-2007 10:43:55 CDT
Published by North Dakota State University
Office of Admission
Phone: (701) 231-8643 - Toll Free: 1-800-488-NDSU
Ceres 124 - P.O. Box 5454 - Fargo, ND 58105-5454