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Planning for college involves several stages. The following steps will help you to figure out what you want.
High School Plan and College Timeline
The courses you will need to graduate will not necessarily get you into college. For example, you will generally need additional math, science, and world language courses.
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Check out this timeline to make sure you get things done on time. It covers things you should do beginning in junior year and going through the end of senior year. |
Visiting the college in person is the best way to learn about it. Try to go on a day when classes are in session. This link will give you some tips on making the most of your trip. |
How counselors help students make college plans. |
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Finding Colleges
In this section, we have links to help you narrow your list of colleges and links to schools that are frequently of interest to Sringfield High students.
Springfield High uses the Family Connection from Naviance to help students plan and appy to college. Get your registration code from your counselor to enter this web site . |
Use this checklist to decide which criteria for college are most important to you. Because there are thousands of colleges, you need to figure out what you want before you can make a decision. |
New England Colleges:
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After thinking about what you want in a college, it's time to do some research. In addition to the internet, come to the Guidance office to use guide books, college bulletins, and videos. This link gives you some tips to get started. |
VSAC's list of the top 100 schools that Vermont grant applicants attend. Use this list as a way to get started thinking about which colleges might appeal to you. |
Here is a list of colleges to which Springfield High students were accepted. |
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Testing
Most colleges require an entrance exam, either the SAT or the ACT. Colleges will accept the scores from either exam. If colleges do not require them, sometimes you will need to take a placement exam, usually the Accuplacer.
Many community colleges in the area use the Accuplacer exam to determine which classes you are eligible to take. |
Click on this link to find out when college entrance exams will be given at Sprinfield High |
Testing offered by the counselors to help students prepare for the future. |
Would you like to know how Springfield students have done on the SAT? Click on this link to see 10+ years of scores. |
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Applying to College
Once you have researched possible choices and taken your exams, in the fall of your senior year it's time to apply.
How to apply to college: step-by-step. Request an application. Watch deadline dates. Complete the transcript packet. |
Over 300 colleges use this application. If the colleges in which you are interested, use the common application, you can save a lot of time by using it. |
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Paying for College
Money for college comes mainly from three sources: grants, loans, and scholarships. Students should do the applications for financial aid in January of the senior year.
While all colleges require the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), click on this link to find out what else you can do to pay for college. |
Families that start early should take advantage of the 529 college saving plans--in Vermont the plan is called the Vermont Higher Education Savings Plan. |
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