How to choose the right college for you
Presented by the University of North Texas
Suggested timetable
Junior year in high school
September
- Attend a college fair to begin gathering information on colleges.
October
December
- Review PSAT results. Discuss any concerns you may have about your scores with your guidance counselor.
February
- Register for spring SAT or ACT.
- Start a list of potential colleges.
March
- Begin to visit your potential colleges. (Spring Break may be a good time to schedule visits.)
May
- Take Advanced Placement exams.
July
- Review college options, requirements and deadlines (admission, housing, financial aid and scholarships), and begin preparing to narrow college choices.
Senior year in high school
September
- Attend a college fair to ask specific questions about colleges.
- Register for fall SAT or ACT if necessary.
- Narrow list of potential colleges.
- Search for possible scholarships.
October-December
- Attend campus-visit programs.
- Review final college list with high school counselor and parents.
- Request teacher recommendations if needed.
- Apply to schools with early deadlines or rolling admissions.
- Begin other college applications.
- Mail all admission applications, submit them online or turn them in to your high school, depending on the system your school uses.
January
- Submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or Financial Aid Form (FAF). Apply for scholarships.
- Submit paper or online housing application for best selection of halls.
- Make sure your high school sends midyear grades to colleges you selected.
March
- Visit campuses on final college list.
April-May
- Attend campus-visit program at the college of your choice, if you haven't already.
- Review college acceptances and scholarship awards. Pick your college and send in your deposit if required.
- Notify other colleges of your decision.