Timeline to College
At Tabor, we don’t wait until junior year to think about college. Your college journey starts in ninth grade, when class deans and advisors assist students in creating a four-year plan. From their first day as a Seawolf, students are encouraged to engage in coursework that challenges and prepares them for the rigors of life after Tabor.
Explore the tabs below to learn about the year-to-year timeline for college readiness.
Grade 9
Grade 9 is your introduction to College Counseling, and students are encouraged to focus on getting acclimated to Tabor, doing well in their studies, and figuring out their interests.
- Read for pleasure.
- Study and refine classroom skills – take your learning seriously. Keep in mind that each year, your grades will be calculated into your cumulative GPA.
- Get involved in co-curriculars and develop outside interests.
- Work with your advisor to develop a multi-year academic and co-curricular plan.
- Utilize your summer free time to be productive – volunteer, take a course, complete an internship, find a job.
- Tabor families can access College Money Method resources.
Grade 10
Sophomores work with college counselors during the spring. They hear from college counselors during class meetings, and alongside their parents, they learn about components of the Tabor college process during a series of presentations made by counselors, college representatives, and a financial aid expert.
September/October
- Read for pleasure.
- Communicate with your advisor on appropriateness of course selection.
- Work hard in your classes.
- Get further involved in co-curriculars and develop your interests.
- Take the PSAT (Scores received in December).
- Tabor families can access College Money Method resources.
March/April
- Review multi-year plan. Talk to your advisor and a college counselor about both junior and senior courses.
- Discuss extracurricular goals for junior and senior year with your advisor. Consider one or more leadership opportunities.
May
- Attend college counseling sophomore seminar.
- Attend a planning meeting with a college counselor.
- Athletes: communicate with Tabor coaches about summer plans and college interests.
June/July/August
- Make your summer meaningful – work, study, volunteer, research, play sports – just don’t do nothing.
- Rising juniors are assigned a college counselor and given access to MaiaLearning.
Grade 11
By the eleventh grade, students are deep within their college counseling process.
The program for junior parents during Fall Family Weekend includes a college admission panel, a presentation on financial aid, and the opportunity to meet their child’s counselor. The option for students to take diagnostic tests allows juniors to understand which is the better option -- ACT or SAT test prep.
Tabor’s partnership with Method Test Prep allows us to offer a self-paced standardized test preparation program that students can use at times that work for them, accommodating their busy schedules. Method is a nationally-recognized leader in the industry and offers a self-paced, online program accessible to students on any internet-connected computer, tablet, or phone. A time-tested proven tool for student success, the self-paced program provides an easy-to-follow checklist that will build student confidence and competence on the material covered by the ACT and SAT.
September/October
- Get off to a strong start in the classroom.
- Read for pleasure.
- Begin test preparation using Method Test Prep’s test preparation resources.
- Attend College Fairs at Tabor – research schools in advance, come with questions, and be open to new ideas.
- Get involved at school and be a leader. Remember, you don’t need a title to lead.
- Take the PSAT (Scores received in December).
- Attend College Kick-off events during Fall Family Weekend.
- Tabor families can access College Money Method resources.
November/December/January
- Begin individual meetings with your college counselor.
- Complete the model college questionnaire following your first meeting.
- Take Method Test Prep’s ACT and the SAT diagnostic tests.
- Begin college research.
- Artists: begin to consider an artistic portfolio.
- International students: register for a spring TOEFL.
February/March
- Attend junior college seminars.
- Continue meeting with your college counselor.
- Register for spring SAT or ACT.
- Move forward with test prep.
- Visit colleges during the Winter Long Weekend and Spring Break.
- Continue college research.
- Tabor families can respond to their college counselor’s request for a Family Statement about your student.
April
- Continue meeting with your college counselor.
- Ask two teachers to write recommendations.
- Participate in the Mock Interview program.
- Create a Common Application account.
- Begin the Junior Brag Sheet.
- Attend the BISCCA Fair at a college near Boston via Tabor-provided transportation. Continue with test prep.
- Continue college research.
May
- Create a summer plan with advice from your college counselor.
- Complete your junior brag sheet.
- Draft the college essay in junior English.
- Finish strong.
- Athletes: communicate with Tabor coaches about summer plans and college interests.
Grade 12
Senior year is where it’s at! It’s time to finish your school visits, complete your applications, and make your decisions.
September
- Read for pleasure.
- Continue college counseling appointments; finalize college list.
- Attend College Fair at Tabor – research schools in advance, come with questions, and be open to new ideas.
- Meet with college representatives visiting Tabor.
- Interview with colleges, if required or recommended.
- Work on applications; be aware of deadlines & requirements; continue crafting supplemental essays.
- Take the SAT or ACT. International students: take TOEFL.
- Attend evening or weekend help sessions as needed.
- Maintain good study habits.
October/November
- Visit or re-visit colleges during long weekends. Interview with colleges, if recommended or required.
- Attend College Fair at Tabor – research schools in advance, come with questions, and be open to new ideas.
- Meet with college representatives visiting Tabor.
- Work on applications; be aware of deadlines & requirements; continue crafting supplemental essays.
- Complete FAFSA form (as soon as possible after Oct. 1).
- Submit CSS Profile, if required.
- Wrap-up visits.
- Submit applications for early deadlines; request testing agencies send pertinent test scores; check application status regularly.
- Take SAT, ACT or Subject Tests, if necessary.
- Maintain good study habits.
December
- Pay attention to regular decision deadlines and requirements.
- Complete remaining applications, including supplemental essays.
- Check college portals for early action/early decision admissions results.
- Maintain good study habits
January/February
- Submit remaining applications; request testing agencies send pertinent test scores.
- Continue to check portals for admissions results.
- Maintain good study habits.
March/April
- Check college portals and read emails regarding admissions results.
- Visit and evaluate schools and compare financial aid packages.
- Meet with your college counselor to discuss options.
- Speak to your college counselor about waitlists.
- Maintain good study habits.
May & June
- May 1 – National College Decision Day, the universal deadline by which you need to submit a single enrollment deposit to the school which you plan to attend.
- Maintain good study habits.
- Commencement