Oliver Ames High School Guidance Department

Oliver Ames
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College Planning

Freshman Year

Sophomore Year

Find out what resources are available to help you plan for college. Talk to your counselor, visit the Career Information Center, and the public library to familiarize yourself with catalogs, computerized college search programs, and general guides such as The College Handbook, Index of Majors, and College Cost Book.
If you want to take SAT II (Subject Tests) for college admissions, ask the counseling office for registration dates. It is a good idea to take each test just after you finish your last course in the subject.
If you are particularly strong in a subject, talk to a counselor or teacher about taking an Advanced Placement (AP) Program examination of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) test in that subject.
PSAT - Solely as a practice w/ math caveat.
Do you plan to take the PSAT/NMSQT in October of your junior year? See your counselor. In the fall, you will recieve a free copy of the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin. Take the practice test inside. Fee waivers are available to juniors who cannot pay the test fees.
Decide now exactly what form of your name you will use on all tests and application forms. Be consistent and avoid such variations as: John Doe, Jack Doe, John C. Doe, John Charles Doe.
Work on career exploration at the Career Information Center. Take the computerized search program nterest, ability, value, and experience inventories to help with your search.
Check out the Summer Opporitunites file in the Career Information Center.
Pass MCAS and State College Requirements.

Junior Year

September	Clarify your future career plans. Use the computerized search program in the Career Information Center to access information, careers, and financial aid opportunities. Get involved in activities: genuine involvement in one is better than token participation in several. Attend the NECACA College Fair at Stonehill College.
October	Register for the PSAT Read the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin Attend Junior College Prep Meeting
November	Talk with your counselor about your initial college interests. Begin to involve your parents in the college choice process. Continue to put forth your best academic efforts in these last two years.
December	Review your PSAT scores. Read Taking the SAT. Talk with graduates who are home from college.
January	Continue career exploration. Prepare for semester exams. Colleges look at your junior grades.
February	Plan your senior year courses. Do they meet college requirements? Begin your research for the college, technical or specialty school that can prepare you for your career choice.
March	Attend Junior College Prep Meeting. Ask your counselor about summer enrichment programs. Register for May and/or June SAT I and/or SAT II. Complete your senior schedule with your counselor.
April	Check announcements about the Junior College Fair in April or May. Make an appointment to use teh Career Information Center to develop a preliminary list of instructions which interest you, visit their websites, and write to them for information. Make an appointment with a counselor to discuss options. Attend OAHS-sponsored college Spring Mini-Fair (sometimes April, sometimes May). Plan visits to colleges which interest you. File service academics & ROTC scholarship applicaitons. Prepare for Junior College/Specialty School Fair. Attend the Boston National College Fair.
May	Attend OAHS-sponsored college Spring Mini-Fair (sometimes April, sometimes May). Identify teachers whom you can ask for recommendations. Register for College Boards (Preferably the SAT I). Make a profile of colleges which interest you; use Barrons, The College Handbook, college catalogs, and other resources available in the Career Information Center.
June	Take SAT I: Reasoning tests or SAT II: Subject Tests. Continue to work on your application package: application form, recommendations, personal essays, etc. Unless otherwise specified, all components of the package should be passed in to the Guidance Office. Take the SAT I or SAT II. If you want your scores sent to additional colleges, obtain the appropriate form. Check Scholarship Board and Guidance Newsletter. Do your colleges require you to file a Profile? Make an appointment in the Career Information Center to view Financial Aid Materials and use computer Financial Aid search programs. Early Decision Students should have all testing requirements completed by September. Plan summer visits to colleges.

Senior Year

September	Check for dates and locations of college fairs. Attend Senior College Prep Meeting. Review your transcipt with your counselor. Does it meet OAHS graduation requirements? Register for SAT. Complete Student Activity Sheet and return to Guidance Office.
October	Visit the Career Information Center and check the College Handbook for the following: Application Deadline dates. Are SAT I and SAT II required? What teacher recommendations are required? Personal essay required? Begin first drafts of any essays required. Check the Scholarship Bulletin Board regularly. Reduce your preliminary list of colleges to a manageable number. Make an appointment in the Career Information Center to use the computer college search program. Notify your counselor if you are considering Early Decision. If you are applying under an Early Decision program, you must submit the application now. Have you considered ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery)? The results may help you identify career and educational goals. Sign up in the Guidance Office. Ask teachers for recommendations and allow at least two weeks for completion. Complete college applications. Deliver application packet to your guidance counselor. An application form, check for application fee, two stamped envelopes, addressed to the school's admissions office, recommendations and any forms to be completed by the high school. Remember: Guidance requires two weeks to process a college application package including transcript and counselor recommendations. The first transcript is free with every one thereafter subject to a fee, payable at time of requiest. Keep a duplicate copy of all college application material and financial aid forms.
November	Continue to work on your application package: application form, recommendations, personal essays, etc. Unless specified otherwise, all components of the package should be passed in to the Guidance Office. Take SAT I or SAT II. If you want your scores sent to additional colleges obtain the appropriate form. Do your colleges require a Profile? Make an appointment in the Career Information Center to use the Career, College, and Financial Aid computer search programs.
December	Check application deadlines. Remember counselors need your application at least 2 weeks before the deadline. Take the SAT I or SAT II. Check the announcements for scholarships. Check the Scholarhsip Board. Obtain a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from the Guidance Office. Do not mail it before January 1. Complete applications for admission.
January	Finish any other college applications. Continue to review scholarship opportunities. Mail the FAFSA Check with your references. Have they completed recommendations?
February	Check to see if your colleges require additional information about senior year grades and activities. Check announcements for scholarships information. Have you mailed all applications? Your Profile? Your FAFSA?
March	Explore the colleges you have applied to as thoroughly as possible. Register for Advanced Placement Tests if appropriate Have you recieved the FAFSA Acknowledgement and Student Aid Report? Check out Summer Opportunities file in the Career Information Center.
April	Review your acceptances and financial aid offers with your counselor. Visit the college of your choice before final decision Notify the college of your choice. Send deposits to be recieved May 1st. Attend Senior Scholarship Meeting.
May	Keep your counselor informed of your decisions and scholarships you recieve. Send your Student Aid Report to your chosesn college - keep a copy for your records. If necessary, apply for a student loan at local bank. Apply for a summer job to help pay for college funds. Notify schools you have decided not to attend. Investigate temporary or full-time employment. Fulfill Senior obligations and complete Senior Clearance Form. Deliver addressed, stamped business envelopes for mailing of final grades.