College Preparation

Answer these questions about schools on your list?

• Does the school offer the course/majors I want?
• Do I meet the admissions requirements?
• Does the school offer quality education at a relatively reasonable price?
• Do many of the school’s graduates go on to successful careers?
• Is the graduation rate acceptable?
• Is the student loan default rate low?
• Is housing available on- and off-campus?
• Is federal student aid available at the school?
• Does the school offer special services I might need?
• Are measures taken to ensure campus safety?
• Does the school offer extracurricular activities that interest me?

High School Senior Timeline

September

• Register to take the SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests.
• Schedule a time to meet with your high school guidance counselor. Your counselor is a great resource to help with your college planning efforts.
• Contact the admission office of schools that interest you.
• Look for private scholarships sponsored by your community organizations; school and civic scholarships; government grants; government-assisted loans; work-study programs; etc.
• Check application date and deadlines. Allow 1 month to process paperwork for application from school.

October & November

• Attend college fairs to meet school representatives and gather information.
• Return your admission applications.
• Choose the right people to write your recommendation letters. Be considerate and give them plenty of time to prepare your letter.
• Begin completing applications and working on essays.
• Arrange campus visits.
• Narrow the selection to your top college choices; then request financial aid information from these schools.
• Run scholarship searches via the internet.

December & January

• Check with each school’s financial aid office regarding deadlines.
• Collect family tax information.
• Complete FAFSA and submit as soon after January 1 as possible.
• Continue your search for scholarships.

February & March

• Stay on top of financial aid and college deadlines.
• Promptly respond to requests from college admission and financial aid offices.

April & May

• Finalize your college decision. Next, notify financial aid offices where you’ve applied about your decision.
• Promptly respond to requests from college admission and financial aid offices.

June – August

• Complete the necessary load applications
• Verify with your counselor that your high school transcripts have been sent.
• Complete final documents you received from your college.
• Finalize your budget for the year.
• Attend orientation.
• Time to start packing.

At Capistrano Valley Christian Schools, we believe that our students are working toward the goal of entering a two or four year university following high school graduation. Our goal is to prepare these students spiritually, physically, socially and academically for the continuation of their education after graduation. Over the past several years, our students have been accepted at the following colleges and universities: