3º ESO/ FRESHMAN YEAR / GSCE 1

• Establish strong study habits
• Read in English as much as you can – newspapers, magazines and books, to improve your verbal skills; Work on your writing abilities in English and your vocabulary
• Pursue extracurricular or community activities that you think you might like
• Start to think about careers you might be interested in
• Use your summer for learning experiences
• Get good grades!

4º ESO/ SOPHOMORE YEAR / GSCE 2

• Take the strongest courses you can manage including courses in English, Foreign Language (Spanish), Science, Math and Social Sciences. You may want to consider a study abroad program in the U.S. this year,
• Maintain your strong study habits, keep grades up
• Begin to research colleges – website, college fairs, etc.What would you most value in a college?
• Begin talking to your parents & counselor about college options
• Consider a trip to visit some US colleges
• Work on your writing in English and have someone assess your level
• Keep up your extracurricular activities and plan a summer job, internship or learning experience
• Consider taking the PSAT to prepare for the SAT (October)
• Consider taking SAT subject tests, particular if you are taking advanced or AP courses (May)
• Plan a rigorous course of study for next year

1º BACH / JUNIOR YEAR / A Level 1

This year is the most important from the point of view of admissions. Make sure you keep you grades up and are pursuing the most challenging classes offered at your school. You may want to consider a study abroad program in the US this year.

FALL

• Keep up your extracurricular activities and consider leadership and/or volunteer opportunities
• Take PSAT in October
• Take a practice SAT and ACT to determine which format is best for you and then schedule tutoring for the one you choose
• Find our when the TOEFL exam is given and do some practice tests in the Fall (if required)
• Start thinking about the colleges that might be for you. Talk to others who have studied in the U.S.: parents, teachers, former students.

SPRING

• Meet with your counselor and/or advisor to begin to putting together an initial college list
• Request information from these colleges by internet
• Register for March SAT exam or April ACT exam (February)
• Register for a TOEFL exam during the summer (if required)
• Begin visiting colleges and/or college fairs at home
• Register to June SAT or ACT if you wish to repeat (April)
• Discuss financial aid issues with your parents
• Choose most challenging course possible for your last year

SUMMER

• Begin your college visits including interviews wherever possible
• Request applications and financial aid packages (if applicable) from your final list ( 5- 8 colleges)
• Begin working on ideas for the application essay part
• Take TOEFL exam (if required)

2º BACH / SENIOR YEAR / A LEVEL 2

September

• Register for October SAT/ACT if necessary
• Make sure you take note of each application deadline
• Begin reviewing your applications. Consider Early Decision or Early Action options.
• Request teacher recommendations
• Re-take TOEFL (if required)

October

• Work to finalize essay and have someone review and edit as required
• Make sure test scores have been submitte
• Make sure you keep up your grades and that you continue to participate in outside activities

November

• If applying for ED or EA, applications will be due

December

• If applying for normal admissions, you will want to take this month to review all applications before filing for January deadline
• If you applied ED or EA, you should receive a reply in December
• Assure teacher recommendations have been uploaded

January

• File applications
• Assure that all financial aid documents have been submitted (FAFSA and CSS for U.S. citizens/Certification of Finances for foreign students)
• Continue to assure top grades
• Research scholarship opportunities for foreign students

April

• Admission and financial aid award letters are usually received
• Take note of reply deadlines
• Reply to school of choice with your deposit
• Notify other colleges of your decision

May

• Take AP exams if applicable

June

• Send final transcripts
• Prepare for the transition!