"What Should I Be Doing Right Now?"

A Timeline for Completing the College Search and Application Process

What follows is a general roadmap or guideline to the college search process.  Remember however, that while there are general timelines to follow, each search is individual and personal to you.  The most important piece is to schedule time with your counselor.  We can help tailor this process specifically to you and your needs.  

JUNIOR YEAR FALL 

  • Re-familiarize yourself with Naviance.  Begin thinking about parameters to use in the college search:  size, location, major, etc

  • Begin looking into the financial aid process.  MEFA (the Massachusetts Educational Financing Authority) events website has valuable information regarding the college financial process.  See link for webinar workshops:  https://www.mefa.org/events 

OCTOBER/NOVEMBER

  • Take the PSAT at NRHS  

  • Attend college representative visits at the high school.  See your counselor or Naviance for details.

DECEMBER 

  • Attend college information night at NRHS

  • Discuss possible SAT prep options (Khan Academy www.khanacademy.org offers some great tutorials)

JUNIOR YEAR WINTER 

  • MEET WITH YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR!!! 

  • Select classes for senior year

JANUARY/ FEBRUARY 

  • Parents and students schedule meeting with counselor to discuss the individual college research process

  • Register for March SAT College Board (February deadline) You must register online with Collegeboard 

  • Research schools and update your “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list in Naviance

  • Visit campuses and meet with admissions either in person (if available) or virtually

MARCH 

  • Take SATs in March 

  • Continue to research and visit schools 

APRIL

  • Schedule visits (in person if possible) to college campuses during April vacation 

  • Be aware of days scheduled by colleges specifically for juniors 

  • Consider taking the ASVAB if you are interested in a military career 

  • If interested, consider taking the ACT (www.actstudent.org).  Discuss with your counselor

MAY 

  • Register for June SATs (www.collegeboard.org) 

  • Talk to teachers about writing recommendations (forms available online and in counseling office) 

  • Take AP/IB Exams if you are enrolled in AP/IB Courses

  • Give thought to who you’d like to write your letters of recommendation

JUNE 

  • SATs at Nauset High School 

  • Finish year strong - these are the last full year grades a college will see

SENIOR YEAR SUMMER 

  • Explore options for writing the college essay 

  • Set up an account with Common Application at commonapp.org 

  • Update Resume

  • Begin to gather documents required for financial aid applications.  Utilize financial aid web pages for each college you are considering

SENIOR YEAR FALL 

  • If interested, consider taking the ACT (www.actstudent.org). Discuss this with your counselor 

  • Attend college visits at the high school (see list of visiting schools on Naviance) 

  • You will get direct information if Naviance list of “colleges I am thinking about” is updated

SEPTEMBER 

  • Register for October SATs (deadline TBD but is often prior to the start of school) 

  • Confirm teachers who will be writing letters of recommendation and make sure they are listed in Naviance 

  • Discuss college list with counselor and narrow down to six to eight schools 

  • Be sure to have probable, target, and reach schools 

  • In Naviance, update list of “colleges I am thinking about” to  “colleges I am applying to” 

OCTOBER 

  • If you have already solidified your list of schools, begin the process of early application (Some schools require early applications by November 1st -- or earlier). Work with your counselor to set deadlines. 

  • If submitting, make sure test scores are being sent to the colleges on your short list through www.collegeboard.org They must be sent by the student through CollegeBoard to be “official” 

  • Check with each school’s financial aid office for deadlines for necessary documents to be submitted. Ex: CSS Profile, Institutional Financial Aid Forms and FAFSA forms. Dates can vary for each school

  • Attend Financial Aid Night at the high school

NOVEMBER 

  • Early action deadlines 

  • Attend Financial Aid Night at the high school (www.mefa.org) or virtual programs. 

DECEMBER

  • The FAFSA becomes available in December (at this point in time).  Create an account with FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov), apply for a pin

SENIOR YEAR WINTER 

  • Complete any outstanding applications 

  • Schedule any necessary admissions interviews or auditions 

JANUARY 

  • Many regular decision deadlines fall on January 1 or January 15 

  • Double check that each school has received all necessary materials 

  • Mid Year grades are sent in late January 

  • Scholarship Bulletin is released 

FEBRUARY 

MARCH 

  • Work on scholarship applications 

  • Begin to receive decisions from schools for regular decision application pool

APRIL 

  • Local scholarship applications are due 

  • Compare financial aid offers for schools to which you have been accepted. Acceptance letters and student aid offers should arrive by mid-April 

  • Consider visiting each school before accepting an offer 

MAY 

  • Decide on a school by May 1st 

JUNE 

  • The high school will send final transcripts to your college of choice so be sure we have your correct attending college before you leave in June 

IMPORTANT NOTES:

  • In person visits are always the best option if possible.  However, many colleges are also offering virtual tours and info sessions.  Both of these options are great things to participate in for a few reasons:

    • It allows you to demonstrate your interest in the school

    • You can see the college through your own lens

    • At the very least, make sure you are on mailing lists for colleges you are interested in.  This is often tracked and noted in your application file.

  • Many schools have gone “test optional”.  However, you should still plan to take the PSAT AND SAT or ACT as it can provide additional helpful data.


    • It is essential that you check with each school you are interested in to see what their current position is on standardized testing.  


  • Your transcript is still the most important piece of your application!

    • The courses you have selected, the rigor of these courses, and your level of success in these courses are the cornerstones of your application. 


  • In your essay, colleges are looking for a piece of writing that shares something about you, and also demonstrates your writing ability.

  • Now more than ever letters of recommendation are going to help to make your application three dimensional.  Think about who can illustrate your abilities as a student. 


Counselors are available by appointment to meet with students and families, including designated evening appointments.  Please contact Krystal Adams, the office administrative assistant (508.255.1510), or email your counselor directly to make an appointment.