Meet with your guidance counselor
as soon as possible.

Be prepared to review your plans and college selection. Review your transcripts to make sure that you graduate with the required credits and courses to get into the college(s) of your choice.

Items to coordinate with your guidance counselor:

• the availability of and enrollment in Advanced Placement classes
• the schedules for the college entrance exams (includes SAT I and II, and ACT). Discuss with your counselor on the exam required to get into your college of choice
• the admission requirements to college including GPA, credits, exam type and scores, etc.
• discuss whether or not you need to send official copies of your transcripts at the time of application.
• note if you are doing early submission so that your transcripts can be sent in to meet early admission deadlines.
• review all other information related to your college planning tasks.

About College Entrance Exams:

Colleges require different college entrance exams. You need to check with your college to determine which exam to take. Many students will sit for both exams to make sure they meet qualifications from all colleges.

There are two types of exams:

1. SAT I and SAT II:
   link to collegeboard.com for information and exam dates

2. ACT College Exam:
   link to ACT for information and exam dates

The SAT Tests

SAT Reasoning (formerly SAT I).
The SAT Reasoning Test is a three-hour test that measures a student’s ability to reason problems instead of general knowledge. It has three sections: writing, critical reading, and math. Most of the questions are multiple-choice.

SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II). The SAT Subject Tests measure the student’s knowledge in specific subjects: English, mathematics, history, science, and languages. SAT Subject Tests are primarily multiple-choice, and each lasts one hour.

more information: collegeboard.org

The ACT Assessment®

The ACT Assessment® is used by some colleges. The exam has four multiple-choice tests: English, reading, mathematics, and science reasoning.

more information: actstudent.org

Preparation Guides:

1. PSAT (practice exams):
   the PSAT is the test prep exam for the SAT tests. The PSAT is usually offered in October and November through your school. Check with your school counselor for dates.
   see collegeboard.org for information

2. ACT test preparation:
   some colleges use the ACT test. You need to check your college to determine which test they use for admittance.
   www.actstudent.org

3. Kaplan Testing Services:
   Kaplan offers online and in-room simulation tests with guidance on weak points that need to be improved.
   www.kaptest.com

• view our complete college planning calendar for September

Achieve Success

Time to get serious and set some personal achievement goals when you attend college. Try this helpful plan:

• FREE Download
  Complete guide on discipline and character building. Has illustrations on the building blocks of success.

  FREE: click to download book summary
  FREE: click to download book

Don’t forget about Halloween in October.
We’ve got a great party package that will make your party a "spooky" smash:

• view our "quick-fun" section

• view our complete college planning calendar for August

There will be a lot of money that will be changing hands over the next year. The question is how best to manage your money.

1. Setup a checking account with your family bank.
   Many banks offer FREE student checking accounts. Use your checking account for ATM access and check writing such as paying tuition and monthly rent. 
2. Use your credit card for everything else.
   Whenever possible, use your credit card to pay for everything else. Many merchants will not accept student checks, so your credit card will be necessary (avoid carrying cash). 
3. Setup a College Budget:
   Make sure you budget your college expenses. You want to avoid having to borrow more money to finish the year. Download FREE our college budgeting worksheetview our discussion on budgeting

Credit Card Use 101:

• As a graduating high school student,
  you will be targeted by credit card companies on the “EASE” of using and having your own credit card.Think about it! Your own personal card to buy pizza, clothes, gas, music — you name it — without having to pawn money from your parents.
• But there is a hitch.
  The credit card charges will come due in about 25 days. And if you are like most students, you won’t have have enough money to pay your credit card off.
• No problem!, say the credit card companies.
  Simply pay the minimum payment (which will be very low) and continue using your card as you like.
• That is where the credit card companies entrap you — they want to keep you paying that low minimum payment from month-to-month.By paying just the minimum payment each month, it will take you about 23 years to pay off your by credit card balance

Being Smart About Credit Card Use:

What Type of Credit Card for School:

• How to use pre-paid credit to manage moneysummarizes how pre-paid credit can manage student funds     

• Building rebate dollarslearn how to manage your credit cards using a computer(FREE download)

• view our complete college planning calendar for July

Summer To-Do’s Before School

School Registration:

Your college should notify you on important registration dates and requirements for first-time students. In you haven’t received anything, or need clarification on some items, check with your college admissions office

Class Registration:

Many colleges have online or mail-in class registration. Check your class requirements.

Some colleges may allow credit for online courses sponsored by other colleges. This will give you the flexibility to arrange
your schedule. Again, check with your admission’s office:

Source for online learning courses:
view directory of online programs

Packing Up:

Get ready. You need to "make-your-home" away from home. That means packing and gathering a few things.

Download our FREE "Off-to-College" Checklist of moving items you should consider taking to school:
click to download moving checklist

Getting There:

You need to arrange your move to college. Will you be driving, taking the train or bus, or flying? Need to make those important travel arrangements:

Check our college moving center for detail information:
click here for college moving center

• view our complete college planning calendar for July