Freshman Year

• Do your best!  Whether in class, sports, the arts, service or whatever you do, make sure to maximize your experience.
• Become involved.  Part of your high school (and college) experience should be learning outside the classroom as well as within it.
• Get to know your teachers and let them get to know you.  Relationships are important and one day you will be asking teachers for recommendations to college and for jobs.
• Work closely with your advisor to make sure you are on track to take the best classes for you.
• If you are doing well in Biology, you should consider taking the SAT Subject test in Biology in May or June.
• Read a lot! Research confirms that strong readers do much better on standardized tests (plus it can be a fun and rewarding activity).
  

Sophomore Year

• Continue to work hard in school and follow all of the steps outlined for Freshman Year.
• Take the PSAT to practice for the SAT. Click here for PSAT information.
• Plan your Junior Year schedule with your advisor, making sure that you challenge yourself as appropriate.
• Take the PLAN as practice for the ACT in May. Click here for PLAN information.
• If you are completing the third year of a language, Algebra II, and/or are in Chemistry and getting a B+ or better, you should ask your teacher if you might be an appropriate candidate for taking the SAT Subject Tests in that discipline.
• Make plans for the summer that will help you to discover your interests and passions and enable you to pursue them further.
• Read some more!
  

Junior Year

Fall:

• Don't think too much about college. Focus on doing your best and prepare for the challenges of junior year classes.
• Take advantage of the opportunity we offer you to have a practice interview with a college admission representative in the fall.
• Take Decision Making seriously. It is a course designed to simplify and clarify the college admissions process as you begin to think about your future beyond high school.
• Take the PSAT-NMSQT in October. Scores on this test determine a student's standing in the National Merit Scholarship program.
• Pay close attention to the materials that you will receive with your PSAT results in December.
  

Spring:

• Take the SAT and/or ACT at least once by May. January and February are usually the best time for the first tests. Taking one of each of those tests will help you to make a good decision about which test is the better one for you. 
• Attend College Night for parents and students in early January for general guidelines and information about the college process. 
• Complete the Parent Questionnaire (see right-hand Resources column) and return to the GFS College Counseling Office.
  
• During second semester, sign up for individual parent and student conferences with college counselors to develop an initial list of colleges to investigate. Most students will meet with the counselors several times during the spring.
• Consider visiting several colleges over spring vacation.
• Attend the AIMS College Fair for juniors in late April/early May.
• Complete a mock Common Application in Decision Making class.
• Identify the teachers who might write letter of recommendations.
  

Summer between Junior and Senior Year:

• Plan college visits, scheduling interviews where possible. (See section on visits and interviewing.)
• Make appointments over the summer for fall visits.
• Arrange to do something that you enjoy over the summer.  Follow a passion if you can, work, travel, or become involved in community service.
  

Senior Year

September:

• Attend Transitions class to discuss important issues surrounding college applications and the transition out of Garrison Forest.
• Schedule individual conferences with college counselors.
• Arrange for college visits, if necessary.
• Meet with college representatives at GFS.
• Collate application materials.
• Register for October SAT/ACT Tests.
• Take ACT in mid-September or register for later date.
  

October:

• Register for November SAT or SAT II Subject Tests.
• Early Decision candidates must aim to have: 1) Secondary report forms to the College Counseling Office by October 1; 2) Applications sent by October 20
• Visit colleges, if necessary.
  
• Take SAT in mid-October.
  

November:

• Fill out applications carefully. All school forms for colleges with January 1st deadlines must be given to college counselors before November 15. (Be sure to give teachers plenty of time to write recommendations.)
• Take the SAT or SAT Subject Tests (if needed) on first Saturday in November.
• Register for December SAT tests if necessary.
  

December:

• Complete all applications if possible, before exams.
• Take exams seriously!
  

January:

• Know that the last College Board testing date that will enable scores to reach colleges in time for consideration is late January.
• Complete all applications by January 15th.
• Check to be sure all forms have been submitted to colleges, including the mid-year report.
• Complete the FAFSA if you are applying for financial aid.
  

Spring:

• Try to avoid Senior Slump. Second semester grades will be sent to colleges and can affect final admissions decisions!
• Read all college mail /email carefully to be sure your applications are complete.
• Once you receive college decisions, allow time to consider your options (especially financial aid offers).
• Be sure to reply to all colleges by May 1!
• International students must check with the GFS Admissions Office to be sure that the paperwork to transfer their visa status to their college is in place.
• Sign up for one of the orientation programs your college offers.
• ENJOY GRADUATION!