It’s Time! College Planning Starts Now
T
he time to start your college search is now! Get a strong start on college prep with this handy list. Print this checklist and use it as a guide, or print it and give it to a parent.
Junior Year GET A HEAD START. 1. Research schools and identify your top choices.
5. Attend college fairs and speak with admissions counselors from different schools.
2. Visit schools. • Schedule a personal or virtual tour at upike.edu/visit.
6. Enroll in AP classes or take dual credit courses to get a jumpstart on college credits
3. Take pre-SAT and ACT courses and practice tests. 4. Take the ACT or SAT. • Register for the SAT. • Register for the ACT.
7. Make a list of your extracurricular activities and community service to add to your application. • Even if you haven’t participated before, it’s not too late to start! Pick a topic you care about and get involved. 8. Start applying for private scholarships. 9. Meet with guidance counselor to talk about college applications.
Senior Year IT’S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN! 1. Apply to college choices. • Applying to UPIKE is easy and free!
5. Write your personal statement and essay - most colleges will require these to apply.
2. Arrange for your guidance counselor to send official transcripts to colleges along with your applications.
6. Review and accept financial aid packages.
3. Apply for the FAFSA. • Get step-by-step instructions at upike.edu/financialaid. • FAFSA opens October 1 and we recommend applying as early as possible. 4. Take the ACT/SAT if you haven’t already, or retake it if you want to try for a higher score. • Make sure you complete testing by January to be eligible for the fall semester.
Questions? We are here to help.
7. Pick your college! It’s time to say “yes” to your offers of acceptance. 8. Review your housing choices and select where you will live. 9. Schedule your classes. • All UPIKE students are paired with an academic advisor who will help you pick your classes for your first semester.
(606) 218-5254 | FinAid@upike.edu | upike.edu/admissions