1. College Planning Timeline
Jill Okey
Assistant Director
Ohio University

2. Terminology to Know
Public: Institutions that are predominately funded by public means through the government, not typically religiously affiliated, levels of selectivity vary
Private: Not operated by governments, although may receive public subsidies, especially in the form of tax breaks and public student loans and grants
Selective Admission: Universities that have guidelines students must meet for admission
Open Enrollment: These institutions do not have minimum academic standards for general admission to the college
Rolling Admissions: Applications are reviewed and decisions rendered as they are submitted
Early Decision: Decisions are binding, if admitted, a student must withdraw all other applications
Early Action: Similar to ED but decisions are NOT binding

3. Terminology to Know: Continued
Application Fee: This is the payment required at the time of application
Enrollment Deposit: Typically confirms your intent to enroll at a school
FAFSA: Free Application for Federal Student Aid
Grant: Monies that do NOT require repayment, typically need-based
Loan: Monies that requires re-payment (Subsidized vs. Unsubsidized)
Scholarship: Merit-based, Need-Based, Athletic, Talent- do NOT require repayment
Work-Study: This a form of financial aid where students work on campus for a paycheck. Students can opt out if they are not interested in work
Common Application: One application that can be submitted to multiple institutions- many will require a college-specific supplement
NCAA Clearinghouse: (A.K.A. Eligibility Center) All students interested in Division I or II sports must pass through the Clearinghouse (*NAIA)

4. Set the Expectation: Programming
Junior/Senior Planning Workshops
Early Spring for Juniors, Early Fall for Seniors
Post presentation online for parents to view
NCAA Eligibility Center Information Night
Early Fall
Include Athletic Director, Coaches and NCAA Compliance Official from local college/university
Financial Aid Information Night
Mid-January
Involved Local College/University Financial Aid Office
Website with resources, timelines, check lists

5. Set the Expectation: College Visits
Create a “college must-haves” list prior to your visits
Schedule all visits at least two weeks in advance
Meet with your academic area of interest
Athlete? Set up a meeting with the coach
Eat in a Dining Hall
Check out the bulletin boards/ campus newspaper
See if there is an event taking place on campus, join in!

6. Set the Expectation: College Fairs
Create a “college must-haves” list prior to the fair
Do you know what colleges are attending? Plot your route
Plan your questions ahead of time
Bring along address labels: saves time for conversation
Students should ask the questions, not parents
Take notes!

7. Set the Expectation: College Entrance Exams
Register for the exam by the due date
Need accommodations? Be sure to work with your counselors
Register for “Question of the Day” /text service
Study: guides, prep-courses, past curriculum
Get a good night’s sleep, wake up early, eat breakfast
Manage your time, read each question thoroughly

8. Freshman Year Fall- Winter Winter-Spring Summer
Build a strong foundation of classes, get the basics out of the way
Get involved in extra/co-curricular activities
Athlete? Be sure to learn the NCAA requirements
Winter-Spring
Keep your grades up
Set sights on leadership roles
Consider possible career fields
Summer
Get a part-time, summer job
Keep reading to increase your vocabulary

9. Sophomore Year Fall-Winter Winter-Spring Summer Keep your grades up!
Register and begin studying for the PSAT and PLAN tests (September)
Take the PSAT/PLAN Tests (October)
Review the results with your parents & school counselor (December)
Winter-Spring
Keep your grades up!
Explore careers by completing a job shadowing experience
Register (April) and take (June) SAT Subject Tests
Summer
Research colleges online

10. Junior Year Fall Winter Register, Take and Review PSAT Test
(Scores could qualify you for a National Merit Award)
Meet with your school counselors to discuss your plans
Register for the ACT and SAT
Review NCAA Eligibility Center requirements to ensure compliance
Examine skills, interests & abilities to narrow down academic plan
Winter
Create a list of colleges & make plans for Spring/Summer visits
Keep your grades up, Junior year GPA is what colleges first see
Challenge yourself with your senior year curriculum

11. Junior Year: Continued
Spring
Take college entrance exams (SAT/ACT)
Line up teachers, counselor & others to write letters of recommendation
Attend college fairs in the local area
Do research on majors that interest you
Summer
College Visits!
Narrow list of colleges to those at which you plan to apply
Understand their application process, Know their deadlines
Prepare your personal statement & resume to send with applications
Complete the NCAA Initial-Eligibility Center form

12. Senior Year Fall Winter Register for the fall ACT and SAT exams
Meet with your school counselors to discuss your plans
Submit applications to the colleges you have selected
Request that your official transcripts be sent
Apply for a FAFSA Pin Number
Determine if your schools require the CSS Profile
Apply for scholarships
Winter
Complete the FAFSA between January 1st and mid-February
Take a second look at the schools to which you’ve been admitted
Begin the enrollment process by submitting the housing deposit at your top pick

13. Senior Year: Continued
Spring
Complete the financial aid process by accepting your award package
May 1st is the National College Reply Date
Confirm your intent to enroll (housing deposit submission) by this date
Let all colleges/universities know what your plans are for fall
Attend admitted student programming both on & off campus
Register for new student orientation
Complete final stages of NCAA Eligibility Center
Summer
Get a job to help fund your college experience
Attend orientation
Connect with your roommate

14. QUESTIONS?!