Anonymous wrote:College Confidential is a great resource for learning about specific programs at schools and about the application process in general. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/

+1. We relied on CC a lot. It can be a bit overwhelming at first, but you'll learn the lay of the land after a few days. Also, it's a bit like DCUM in that you need to learn to sift through the posing and the anxiety, but once you do, there are some nuggets of gold.

College Confidential is a great resource for learning about specific programs at schools and about the application process in general. http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/

Our 2 oldest kids have gone through the application process and we are gearing up for our 3rd and last time through with our rising junior. With the first two we followed the same general timeline, but we'll adjust it a bit this time, as noted below. This reflects the wise advice from some of the PPs that you consider how any standard timeline -- or other advice re college admissions, for that matter -- works for your child, and accept, reject or tweak it accordingly.

I'll also give another plug to Crazy U -- it's not an advice book, but Ferguson nails the emotional roller-coaster ride of college admissions; the final chapter, on move-in day and the return home, is spot-on and priceless. Finally, OP, I'd urge you to focus most on keeping your home a haven from the rumors, pressure and craziness that you and your kid will encounter over the next two years at school, on the sidelines at sports events and in line at the grocery store. The best advice I ever got was to schedule a time for family meetings re college applications and prohibit discussion at any other time unless your child brings up the subject.

OK, here's our timeline:

Summer before junior year

with oldest 2 kids (boys who are good standardized test-takers) -- nagged them to take practice SATs; they did nothing

with youngest (girl who is not a good standardized test-taker) -- we suggested tutoring for SATs; she readily agreed and is starting this month; she will continue to do tutoring through the fall; she plays a sport where the recruitment process involves playing in tournaments and summer showcases, so she's doing a couple of these (older kids are in a sport where recruiting pattern is different)

fall and winter of junior year:

continued to nag older kids about SAT prep; they finally started in January

youngest will continue with tutoring

spring of junior year

take SATs and subject tests

visit schools during spring break, but not a "forced march" -- I'd say no more than 3 or 4 schools -- the kids deserve a break

DD will continue to participate in tournaments where college coaches see players

summer before senior year

look at college websites, talk to college kids at home for the summer, and visit a few more schools

older kids contacted college coaches and met with them when we visited; youngest will do showcases

nagged older kids to work on essays -- they started on Labor Day; youngest is keeping a notebook of ideas and plans to do first draft this month

fall of senior year

overnight visits

older kids applied early and were accepted in December; youngest will also apply early

In ll of this, allow for flexibility. Each child is different and don't rigidly stick to a prescribed timeline. There is more give in the testing schedule than you think.

It's true that most kids will take the 1st SATs in the spring of 11th grade (my DD did that and we're glad). Waiting will give them a bit more time to mature and have confidence in test taking. However, you may wish to do some of the SAT subject tests in the fall of 11th grade. Some of the subjects are only offered on certain test dates (languages in particular). It might make sense to take those tests in the fall of 11th grade so that you have the opportunity to re-take them in the fall of 12th grade in case you're not happy with the score. Something to keep in mind when making plans for all of these tests our kids have to take!

DC's school urged against taking the SAT in the fall/winter of junior year. They said the vast majority of kids regret it. Also, if you want to retake it October of senior year, that leaves plenty of time even if you apply early decision. Also, its fine to continue to visit schools fall of senior year. Thats when my DC did overnights.

OP here ..!thanks all!

I just finished Crazy U and it is an easy read. Not sure it gets exactly to OPs question but is entertaining.

OP, a lot of this depends on the type of college your DD is interested in. The more selective, the more testing and testing prep you need to plan for. Less selective schools and she may only need to take the SAT or ACT once, and won't need subject tests.

If she is aiming high then you probably want to start SAT prep by the end of the summer at the latest. How were her 10th grade PSATs? If in range of NMSF (around 218-221) then maybe worth prepping, otherwise just focus on SATs (or ACTs).

You should start looking at a few colleges this fall if you haven't already, just to narrow down the types of schools she is interested in. Start the visits in earnest in the spring. I think fall of senior year is way too late, unless you are limiting her to state schools or a narrow geography or something like that. The ED deadlines are Nov 1 and some schools like UMD want applications by Nov 1 as well for priority admissions. I have a rising senior and the list of schools is pretty much done. Will start the application in August. Once school and fall sports starts it will be hard to fit it all in so trying to get as much done as possible in advance.

Here's my advice. Let your child do it. The motivated ones are all over this stuff. If you haven't read it, read "Crazy U" and then sit back,and enjoy the ride.

The only thing that might bite them is the testing timeline. May/June of Junior year is a killer with SAT Subjects, APs, and the regular SATs. The junior year testing/prep plan needs to be carefully thought out well in advance. It is tricky, especially if they are trying to squeeze in the Subject tests that a lot of elite schools want to see. Most students do best on SATs taken later rather than earlier. At DD's school the average improvement between junior year and senior year SATs is around 100 pts regardless of additional prep.

Don't waste a lot of time with college visits until DC is ready. That might be early senior year. After one or two visits they seem to be bored by them until the light goes on that "Hey, I wanna see this school because I might actually go here!" With junior year grades and SATs in hand, the options narrow and visits are more productive.

Let your child lead this process. We pushed with our oldest and, in hindsight, he had a better sense of where he should be than we did. He ended up transferring and is far happier.

I think you can find timelines on independent school & public school websites.

Thank you for posting this. In addition, develop habits when they are young. ES and MS are the foundation.

Here's my try. I'm sure others can and will add to this:

9TH AND 10TH GRADE:

Simply let your child know that their grades (and extra activities) count from 9th grade. No need to overload on extra activities. It's better to have good, quality ones that mean something to your child rather than every club, sport and activity available. Grades should also be as good as possible. Don't do any test prep. They'll burn out.

FALL OF 10TH GRADE - PSAT but it's just practice and doesn't count. Don't do prep. Let them do the test to see where they need extra help.

SUMMER BEFORE 11TH GRADE -
-Some may do prep now in order to take the SATs in the fall of 11th grade (October). If you have a chance to see some schools that's good, but we found it better to look at the schools when the students were present (different atmosphere and "vibe" that your child should see).

-Make sure your child is doing something productive such as a summer job, internship, community service project. It would be even better is they've done it in the summer after 9th grade also.

-Start researching colleges to visit and plan the visits. Get your child to do most of this! It will be their school - they should have a say in the places to visit. However, they may need your guidance on how to start the process (not to mention your "push")

FALL OF 11TH GRADE -
-PSATs that will count for the National Merit Scholars
-Some schools will do a practice ACT. Do that to determine whether your child should take the SAT or ACT.
-Register for SAT/ACT/SAT Subject tests
-Prep to take Nov or Dec SATs.
-Make sure your kid keeps grades up!
-Continue research about colleges to visit and plan visits (will be done through 11th grade).
-Determine SAT Subject tests to be taken - keep in mind that a few subject tests are only offered on some test dates (i.e. language with listening is only offered in Nov. Also, not all languages are offered each test date). Check the website for more information about the tests offered on certain dates.
-Touch base with college counselor at school (if available). However, many will be busy with the 12th graders who are applying to school and may wish to wait until winter to discuss schools

WINTER OF 11TH GRADE -
-SAT prep of not done in the fall for the March SAT.
-Make sure your kid keeps grades up!
-Continue college visits
-Meet with college counselor at school (is available) to discuss options, choices, etc.

BY THE END OF 11TH GRADE (in a perfect world...) -
-You should be done with the SATs (hopefully). Your child may need to take an SAT subject test, though.
-Try to finalize the list of schools your child wants to apply to.
-Complete any college visits/counselor meetings

AUGUST BEFORE 12TH GRADE/FALL OF 12TH GRADE -
- The Common App comes out August 1st (I think...). Have your child start working on those applications/essays before school starts so they can get those essays done before schoolwork bogs them down!
-Most schools that participate with the Common App will also have supplements so they will need to work on those also.
- Complete any tests that need to be done (SAT/ACT/SAT Subject test)


Keep in mind that since most schools will Super Score the SAT scores it makes sense to assume your child will take them at least twice. Also, register early so that your child can take the test at your preferred location and will not need to travel far for the test.

I'm sure that's not a complete list and many others will be able to add to it....

Can one the parents who has been through the process post a timeline on the college application process PLEASE? I need to know what is best
When to start serious prep for SAT
When to start looking/ tours
Best time time take SAT/ ACT
When to apply for early decision or not?

Someone did this on the private school forum for applying to privates and it was helpful. I have heard so much conflicting info on best time to take SAT, prep, etc, it would be helpful to hear what worked for your child and/ or what you would do differently. DD is a rising junior.
Thank you in advance!