College Planner

Freshman and Sophomore Years

• Create a four-year school curriculum plan that meets graduation requirements and adequately prepares you for post-graduation goals.
• Commit yourself to doing the best you can in every subject – remember all final grades from each year are included in your GPA and reviewed for college admissions.
• Get involved! Find a sport (or three) or school activity that you enjoy and can commit to throughout high school.
• Find a community service organization or project that you want to volunteer for, and give hours!
• Attend College Fairs and visit schools when possible.
• Complete a career assessment to determine what career path and/or college major best suites you.
• Become familiar with Family Connection. Use it to explore careers and colleges.
• Begin searching for college scholarship opportunities.

Junior Year

• Continue using Family Connection to explore colleges and careers.
• If you wish to play college athletics, register with the NCAA and/or the NAIA Eligibility Centers.
• Develop an initial list of schools that interest you.
• Meet with college representatives who visit Hudson Catholic High School.
• Visit schools when possible.
• Participate in some type of test prep – All HC junior students take the PSAT (Fall Semester) and ACT (Spring semester).
• Register for the SAT May or June dates if necessary. We suggest students only register for the SAT after they take the ACT in April.
• Check out FairTest, a website that tells you which colleges and Universities either do not require standardized tests, or are test-optional.
• Continue searching for college scholarship opportunities. 
• Review College Board's Common Application guide. This provides helpful tips for beginning your college applications. 

Summer (before senior year)

• If you are registered with the NCAA and/or the NAIA Eligibility Centers request your junior year transcript and SAT or ACT scores be sent for review.
• Do more test prep. You should be retaking either the SAT or the ACT in the fall! Websites like Khan Academy and KapTest provide test prep and practice tests. 
• Visit! Visit! Visit as many colleges as you can!
• Students applying for Early Decision and Early Action should begin their applications.
• Continue searching for college scholarship opportunities. This directory lists over 100 vetted scholarship opportunities for NJ students.
• Visit this online FAFSA Guide. This walks parents through the process of applying for federal and state financial aid. 

Senior Year (fall/early winter)

• Meet with your counselor and get your senior information packet!
• Continue to visit schools and meet with college representatives.
• Narrow down your college lists – students should be applying to no more than 6-8 schools.
• Begin to work on college applications – be mindful of deadlines!!!!.
• Request letters of recommendation and transcripts.
• Work on college essay and resume.
• Register for the fall SAT or ACT and SAT II Subject tests (if necessary).
• Continue searching for college scholarship opportunities.
• Meet with college representatives who visit Hudson Catholic High School.
• Parents should attend a Financial Aid Workshop and FAFSA night.

Senior Year (late winter/spring)

• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on or after January 1st.
• Remember that many colleges require seventh semester grades as well as updated GPAs and rankings.
• Review financial aid packages.
• Decide which school you will attend next fall.
• Send the required deposit to reserve your seat in next year’s freshman class.
• Continue searching for college scholarship opportunities.
• Request a final transcript be sent to your college choice!
• Request a final transcript be sent to NCAA or NAIA if necessary.