College Planning Timeline

FRESHMAN YEAR

  1. Review Guide to Guidance for 9th grade students.
  2. Choose courses suited to your goals, ability and motivation to succeed.
  3. Achieve the best grades possible.
  4. Explore co-curricular activities – get involved!
  5. Begin student career portfolio at https://access.bridges.com/auth/login.do#.  Login under “Site ID.”  Site ID: 0035648/Password: candy
  6. PARENTS: Be aware of pitfalls that can effect performance such as study habits, procrastination and the inability to organize and prioritize.  Be proactive!

 SOPHOMORE YEAR

  1. October
    1. Review Guide to Guidance for 10th grade students.
    2. Take the PSAT offered here at Kingsway.  Results become available sometime in December. 
  2. February/March
    1. Choose courses based on teacher recommendation, performance, ability and motivation to succeed.  Continue your language sequence.

JUNIOR YEAR

A. September/October

  1. Review the Guide to Guidance for 11th grade students
  2. Attend College Fair at Gloucester County College.
  3. Take PSAT at Kingsway.

B. January to April

  1. Update Student Profile and College Questionnaire.
  2. Assess interests and develop a career plan.
  3. Plan to take the SAT I and/or SAT II tests in junior and senior year
  4. Prepare resume.
  5. Develop a tentative list of colleges to seek information.
  6. Plan and select courses for senior year based on interests and goals.
  7. Contact the Financial Aid Offices on any of the colleges you may attend for information on scholarship opportunities

C. May

  1. Prepare letters to members of Congress if considering a military service academy.
  2. Arrange summer college visitation schedule.
  3. Select and request teachers to write recommendations for colleges when required or desired.

D. Summer

  1. Check the internet for applications and information from colleges of interest.
  2. Plan fall college visits
  3. Complete NCAA registration form if being considered by Division I and/or II colleges and universities.

SENIOR YEAR

A. September/October

  1. Review the Guide to Guidance for 12th grade students.
  2. Attend "College Application Night" for Seniors.
  3. Implement plan for taking the SAT I and SAT II. Consider sitting for the ACT (American College Testing) Program when appropriate.
  4. Write essays for college applications. Work with your English department teachers.
  5. Review each Scholarship Newsletter.
  6. Early Decision/Early Action decisions. Submit application(s) to the Guidance Office by October 15th.
  7. Submit other applications as soon as ready following The College Application guidelines.
  8. Complete and submit CSS Profile (financial aid form required by some Private Colleges and Universities).

B. November/December/January

  1. Get Financial Aid Application (FAFSA) when available (December)
  2. Submit college applications requiring or desiring a pre-holiday mailing by the Monday after Thanksgiving (many private schools award scholarships to students that have submitted applications prior to December 2.
  3. Attend Financial Aid workshops.
  4. Complete and send FAFSA form as soon as possible after January 1st, taking into consideration the different deadline requirements each individual college may have!

C. February

  1. First semester grades may be required. Check with your colleges and give request to your counselor.

D. March/April

  1. Receive and review financial aid offers from each college.
  2. Make final decision of which college to attend. (Candidates Reply Date is May 1st).