College Planning Timeline
It is never too early to start thinking about college, but you have to walk before you run. The timeline that follows illustrates the path college-bound Denver Christian students take in planning their future.
Freshman Year
- Do your best! The work you do right now matters. GPAs are very difficult to improve if you wait until senior year to do your best. Your future self will thank you for putting in the hard work now!
- Get involved in activities that interest you and align with who you are.
- Develop good habits — study skills, time management, consistent sleep, nutrition and exercise, regular time with God, etc.
- Take classes that align with your interests and abilities
- Create a resume and/or activities log in Maia Learning where you can keep track of your accomplishments, activities, volunteer hours, etc. This will so helpful later on when you are applying to college!
Sophomore Year
- Continue to do your best, stay involved and maintain those good habits!
- Start researching colleges that interest you and develop a list of criteria you are looking for in a college.
- Begin adding schools to your “Considering” list on Maia.
- Begin adding careers to “Career” list on Maia.
- Consider taking the PSAT 10 to help assess your academic strengths and weaknesses. This will help make the most of your high school coursework.
Junior Year
- Continue to do your best, stay involved and maintain those good habits!
- Take the PSAT-NMSQT in October.
- Meet with college reps when they visit Denver Christian.
- Attend college fairs.
- Visit a college campus and talk to people you know who have gone to college or are currently attending college.
- Update the schools and/or careers you’re interested in on Maia.
- Take SAT and/or ACT in the spring.
- Be intentional about how you spend your summer — perhaps find a job or volunteer opportunity that aligns with your interests and passions.
Senior Year
- Visit colleges you’re interested in during the summer. Get started on your college application essay during this time too so that you will be ready to apply in the fall of senior year.
- Talk to your teachers about letters of recommendation. Please do this face-to-face and always allow at least 2 weeks advanced notice. Be sure to write a thank you!
- Retake the SAT and/or ACT in the fall.
- Fill out the FAFSA which opens up on October 1st.
- Finalize your list of schools on your “Considering” list in Maia.
- Fill out the Common App if multiple schools on your list are Common App partner schools.
- Complete all college applications and essays by each school’s deadline.
- Apply for scholarships.
- Compare financial aid award letters from the schools you’ve been accepted to and rank your top choices. Make an effort to visit these campuses if you have not already to assist in your decision.
- Discuss your decision with your parents and your college counselor. Pray about it!
- Try to make your decision by May 1.