College Counseling Timeline
This is a benchmark (BOLD for parents/guardians) to better understand the many opportunities and essential expectations. We encourage students to do their best academic work each day as they prepare for the next chapter.
Sophomore year
Spring
- Students are assigned to a college counselor and begin meetings
- March 6, 2026 - PSAT Test
- April 27, 2026, 7pm - Sophomore Parent Meeting
- Exercises and strategies to initiate self-reflection
- Discuss testing plan, including test prep and timing
- Optional: Sit for the PSAT or practice ACT through Compass Prep
- Course selection and extracurricular consultation
- Prospective student-athletes: Timeline, guidance and coordination with coaches and the College Counseling Athletic Liaison.
- Visual and performing artists: Timeline, guidance and coordination with visual and performing arts faculty.
Summer
- Intentionally rest and rejuvenate after your sophomore year.
- In some form, engage in your community, work, attend a summer program, train for your craft or sport, read or try a new activity. Do something!
Junior year
Fall
- PSAT October 31, 2025 -required, qualifier for National Merit Scholarship
- Test prep and test taking plan (SAT and ACT for the college process)
- Workshops for students and parents, extending through the year
- College admission officers visit campus, attendance with teacher permission
Winter
- December 4, 2025, 7pm Junior Parent Meeting with College Counseling
- College Seminar focused on the college search and application processes
- Meet 1:1 with your assigned college counselor
- February 19, 2026, College Kick Off and Case Studies Evening Program for students and PARENTS
- Plan college visits during spring and summer breaks (consult with your college counselor for assistance)
Spring
- Visit colleges and take notes with reflections and impressions
- Course selection and extracurricular consultation
- Family meeting with student, and parent/guardian
- Discuss which two teachers you will reach out to for your TEACHER RECOMMENDATIONS-Forms due by May 1
- May 21, 2026, 6:30pm-College Fair at GA (attendance is important!)
- English Course work on Common Application personal statement
- Develop a college list with your college counselor
- Discuss financial aid, scholarships and affordability
- Develop a plan to work on essays and the Common Application over the summer
- Revisit testing plan and test optional policies
Summer
- Intentionally rest and rejuvenate after junior year
- In some form, engage in your community, work, attend a summer program, train for your craft or sport, read or try a new activity. Do something!
- Visit colleges and take notes with reflections and impressions.
- August-work to complete your Common Application, send your personal statement essay draft and any supplements to your college counselor
Senior Year
Fall
- September 5, 2025 - Senior Workshop-Communication expectations, Common Application Review, Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) review
- September 10, 2025, at 7pm Senior Parent Meeting with College Counseling
- Communicate and meet with your college counselor regularly
- Work with your college counselor to attend to all the details of the process, including:
- Completing applications
- Writing essay(s)
- Completing Transcript Request Forms
- Standardized testing
- Look at the visit calendar and plan to meet with college admission representatives who visit GA
- November 3, 2025, Senior LOVE Day
Winter through Graduation
- Continue to do your best academic work
- Share information with your college counselor about your admission decisions, financial aid and scholarship options, and matriculation plans
- Successfully complete your senior project and all graduation requirements