Key Dates
Final deadline to submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
October 8
SAT and SAT II test
October 12
Late registration deadline for Nov. 5 SAT and SAT II
October 22
ACT test date
October 28
Registration deadline for Dec. 3 SAT I and II.
November 4
Registration deadline for the Dec. 10 ACT
November 5
Test date for SAT and SAT II, includes SAT II Language Tests with Listening
November 9
Late registration deadline for the Dec. 3 SAT and SAT II
December 3
Test date for SAT and SAT Subject tests
December 10
ACT test date
December 22
Registration dealine for Jan. 28 SAT and SAT Subject Tests
Janaury 4
Late-registration deadline for Jan. 28 SAT and SAT Subject Tests
January 28
Test date for SAT and SAT Subject Tests
May 1
Deadling for notifying colleges of your decision
Final deadline to submit Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
Your Checklist for College*
The Ultimate Guide: here are all the key test dates, application deadlines and other items you'll need to remember.
September
(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5233823/site/newsweek/)
The Ultimate Guide: here are all the key test dates, application deadlines and other items you'll need to remember.
September
- Time to start preparing if you’re taking the Nov. 5 SAT.
- Start working on applications for state universities, and try to submit them by early October.
- Take note: deadlines for British universities fall in the first two weeks of October.
- Students applying for Early Decision should approach teachers for recommendations.
- Student athletes should check in with their college counselors about recruiting procedures.
- Start preparing if you’re taking the December SAT or ACT.
- Check out commonapp.org to see which colleges accept the common application.
- Many colleges use data from CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE to provide nonfederal financial aid. Begin applying online at profileonline.collegeboard.com.
- Finish a draft of your essay.
- Heads up for Early Decision and Early Action deadlines — they usually fall on Nov. 1 or 15.
- Even non-E.D. students should be approaching teachers for recommendations by now.
- Time to start preparing if you’re taking the Jan. 28 SAT or SAT II, or the Feb. 11 ACT.
- Check with your teachers, coaches, and mentors to ensure letters of recommendation are sent on time.
- Mail applications for colleges with “rolling” deadlines as soon as possible.
- Keep your grades up.
- Regular applicants: continue polishing your college essay. Update it as necessary.
- Attend local information sessions with college representatives.
- If possible, visit campuses near you. They may give you a sense of what you’re looking for.
- Put the finishing touches on your essay. Make sure to proofread!
- Try to wrap up applications before Winter Break. Photocopy all application materials before sending them in—just in case.
- Send standardized test scores to your colleges electronically at collegeboard.com or by phone at 800-SAT-SCORE.
- Early Decision and Early Action letters start arriving this month. Check with individual schools to confirm dates.
- Study hard for final exams—colleges take senior fall grades seriously. Excellent grades could even give you an edge.
- Regular applicants: call admissions offices to set up interviews.
- Students admitted Early Decision must withdraw applications to other schools. Deferred students should consider sending in additional letters of recommendation and other supplementary materials.
- Start filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Be aware that many states require additional forms. For more information, visit fafsa.ed.gov. Interested students should also register for a PIN at pin.ed.gov.
- Send your mid-year grade report to colleges requiring it.
- Talk to friends home from college on break.
- Start thinking about a “gap year” after graduating high school.
- Where possible, set up interviews with admission officers or alumni interviewers.
- Contact colleges to confirm they’ve received all your application materials.
- Finalize interviews with admissions officers.
- Keep your grades up. Colleges can withdraw offers of admission after reviewing students’ second-semester transcripts.
- Begin the scholarship search. Check out fastweb.com and finaid.org for ideas.
- Start planning Spring Break visits to campuses.
- Visit college campuses during your Spring Break — yes, even if this means missing a trip to Florida.
- March to June: Keep in mind that many states have financial-aid deadlines that are earlier than the June 30 FAFSA deadline. Some deadlines are as early as March 1.
- Regular Decision admissions letters arrive.
- Discuss the financial-aid package provided by the school with your family. Determine if you need private loans or additional scholarships to close any gaps. Research options accordingly.
- If you haven't received financial-aid packages by early April, call to make sure all necessary materials arrived.
- Attend admitted studentsí weekends at college campuses.
- Plan any additional campus visits that will help you make a decision.
- Students placed on wait-lists should set up meetings with college counselors to discuss options.
- Celebrate with family and friends!
- Send in the acceptance notice to your chosen school. Make sure to send in your deposit on time.
- Decline offers of admission from remaining colleges.
- AP exams are administered this month. Make sure your AP Grade Report is sent to your college.
- Send thank-you notes to your teachers, coaches and anyone else who helped you on the way.
- Fill out housing-preference forms, and check out any special living centers.
- Wait-listed students can expect more information about their status after May 1.
- Make sure your final high-school transcript is sent to your college.
- If you plan to compete in Div. I or Div. II college sports, have your counselor send your transcript to the NCAA Initial Eligibility Clearinghouse. More information is available at ncaaclearinghouse.net.
- Graduation! Freedom! Not really!
- Contact future roommates.
- Start browsing through the course catalog and student handbook. See if students at your school are on thefacebook.com.
- Go online and gather more information on your school. Get a jump on tickets for concerts, games and other events that are coming to campus.
- Go back-to-school shopping, and don’t forget dorm essentials.
- Open a new bank account.
- Sign up for a cell-phone plan with free long-distance minutes.
- Investigate health-insurance options.
- Begin choosing classes, and perhaps contacting professors who are teaching classes you may be particularly interested in.
- Start packing!
(http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/5233823/site/newsweek/)
Community Colleges |
California State University (CSU) |
University of California (UC) |
Independent Colleges |
|
Website Address |
www.aiccu.edu |
|||
Number of Campuses |
108 statewide |
23 campuses statewide |
10 campuses statewide |
76 AICCU Institutions |
Nature of Programs and Curriculum |
Two-year colleges:
|
Four-year colleges with graduate programs:
|
Four-year colleges with graduate and professional schools:
|
AICCU institutions range from large world-renowned universities, to regional liberal arts, specialized institutions, and professional schools. Most grant baccalaureate and advanced degrees, however a few grant two-year associate degrees. Various majors and programs, and degree levels offered |
Instructional Foundation — Degree Emphasis |
Education: Theoretical and Applied Emphasis: Vocational and transfer preparation for four-year college |
Education: Theoretical and Applied Emphasis: Teacher preparation, career employment and graduate school |
Education: Theoretical Emphasis: Research and preparation for graduate school |
Education: Varies by campus Emphasis: Varies by campus |
Application and Course Offerings |
Open for fall and spring. Semester and quarter systems, depending on the campus. |
Open for fall and spring. Semester and quarter systems, depending on campus. |
Most open fall only. Mostly quarter system, but depends on campus. |
Open for fall and spring with some campuses open for summer enrollment. Most campuses are on the semester or quarter systems, but a few offer flexible schedules for working adults. |
Fees and Tuition |
$26.00 per unit, plus additional fees |
Fees vary by campus (approximately $2,500 per year) | Approximately $5,500 per year |
Fees vary by campus (Average $20,500 per year) |
How Supported |
Public tax monies and student fees |
Public tax monies and student fees |
Public tax monies and student fees |
Private funds and tuition fees |
Freshmen Entrance Requirements |
Subject & GPA: No subject requirements, must be 18 years old, a high school graduate, or have a G.E.D. equivalent |
Subject & GPA: *All grades counted (10th- 12th) except P.E. and Military Science
|
Subject & GPA: A minimum 2.8 GPA in a-g subjects and meet eligibility index UC a-g requirements
|
Subject & GPA: Wide variety of requirements. Most have requirements comparable to the UC or CSU. Check with individual campus catalog. |
Test(s) No entrance test requirements, but assessment tests need to be taken prior to registering for classes |
Test(s) SAT I or ACT |
Test(s) SAT (including the Writing section) or ACT and 2 SAT Subject Tests |
Test(s) Some require or recommend Achievement Tests (SAT or ACT). Check catalogs for specific test requirements. |
