Planning Timeline!

Are you wondering if you’re on track in  the postsecondary planning process? Use this handy guide to determine if you’re where you need to be.

GRADE 11

September
It’s time to hit the books. Grade 11 is very important to your postsecondary future, as your marks determine potential scholarships and admissions. Keep your eyes on the prize. Your first priority this year should be your grades. Study hard this year!

September is the time of year to get a jump-start on your extracurricular activities. Join a council, help out in the library or become a peer tutor. It is the little extras that will make you stand out during the admissions process.

October
If you can spare a moment or two, now would be an excellent time to start some volunteer work. Volunteer work looks great on resumes as well as college and university applications. It can also be fun. If it gets too hectic later on in the year, simply cut your hours back a bit to make volunteering work with your schedule.

November
Begin seriously thinking about your post-secondary career. Go to some college or university fairs to get an idea of what is out there. You don’t have to choose now, but it is never too early to educate yourself about your options.

If there is time, try to pick up a new skill or improve on existing ones. Take a first-aid course or learn a new computer program. Additional skills look nice on applications.

December
Meet with your guidance counsellor and discuss the postsecondary schools you wish to attend. Many programs require certain prerequisites for admissions, so you may have to adjust your next semester schedule to fit in necessary classes. If you have already taken a class that you would like to improve on, see if it fits into your schedule. Or sign up for it through a night-school class.

Keep an open mind when getting advice from your counsellor. He or she may mention a school that you had not previously considered. There is no harm in investigating a suggestion.

January
Hit the books! Exams are coming up, and you have to be prepared! It cannot be stressed enough; it is very important to keep on top of your grades.

February
Option sheets for next year’s classes will be due shortly. Choose your courses carefully. It is nice to have a light schedule in your final year, but if you are serious about attending college or university, select the courses that will help you most. Hand in your class selection on time! It would be a shame to miss the deadline and not be able to take the required courses.

March
Keep your nose to the grindstone, as they say. A couple more months, and the summer will be here!

Over the March break, take some time off from the stress. Enjoy yourself.

April
Take a look at all the financial options you have. How much money will you have when it comes time to apply to school? Will your parents help? Will you be receiving financial aid or scholarships? Take some time to assess your situation. Get some literature on different types of loans and bursaries. When it comes time to pay for school, you won’t be as shocked—or as broke.

May
Get a jump on your summer activities. No, not going to the beach and watching soaps. Instead, make the most of your spare time. Register for a summer course, coach a sports team or volunteer.

If you don’t have any other plans for the summer, get a job! Postsecondary school doesn’t pay for itself. Try to save as much cash as you can.

June
Final exams are this month, and you know what that means—it is time to get serious for a few days before summer starts.

July
Start compiling everything you might need to go along with your applications—portfolios, audition tapes, samples of your work, etc. If you have an audition with your application, now is the time to start practicing your monologue, scene, sax solo, etc. You need to be in top form.

August
Road trip! Check out schools you’d like to attend and have a tour. Some schools, like Ryerson University, rent out rooms in their residences over the summer so you can get the full experience of living on campus.

If you stay overnight, check out all the schools in the area, even if you think you

GRADE 12

September
Head out to more college/university fairs for one last look. There may be a program out there that you hadn’t noticed before.

Speak with some current university and college students, and get some more perspective on the schools you’d like to attend. They may have some inside info that changes your mind.

Ask teachers, bosses, coaches or any other appropriate person to write you a letter of recommendation to the schools you have in mind. Keep them posted as to when you mail your application and when you will receive acceptances.

October
Keep studying hard. You are in the most important year of high school when it comes to grades. If you feel like you are slipping, get a tutor before your bad grades get out of control.

November
Do several drafts of your application letters and essays. Go over your final draft with a teacher or guidance counsellor. You do not have to do this on your own! Your high school has many resources for you to use. A perfect admissions essay is one more step to getting accepted. Make copies of all your applications, just in case. You may need them for future applications.

December
Colleges and universities begin taking applications. Be sure that your grades and applications are all filled out correctly. Get your applications in ahead of time. It doesn’t mean that you have a better chance, but it does mean that you won’t miss the deadline and you can relax a bit.

January
Applications are due to all universities. Some programs have other deadlines, so apply early.

Good luck on first-term exams. Study, study, study!

February
Final day for college applications is this month!

Some schools require you to take English, math or science tests. Find out when you can write these tests to qualify for admissions. For paramedics, police foundations and other physical courses, there are often physical assessments, including running, push-ups, etc. If you have to take one of these tests, work out regularly and get into shape.

March
College acceptances will be mailed out at the end of the month. Sometimes acceptances are a couple days late, depending on the school, so don’t panic.

Pick up your Ontario Student Assistance Plan (OSAP) application if you are applying for financial aid. Applications are usually available in early March, and you should apply as early as possible. Be sure to have your applications in no later than 10 weeks prior to your first class.

If you do not qualify for OSAP, look into various banks for student loan rates. Your personal bank may not be the best to deal with. Apply for a loan as soon as possible just in case you are turned down and have to receive financial assistance from another outlet.

April
When scholarship information starts to come out, apply for everything! Some scholarships have a low number of applicants, so even if you do not think you are qualified, apply. Check out local businesses, companies and organizations in your area, the workplaces of family members and the scholarships offered through the college or university you have applied to. It doesn’t hurt to apply to any or all of them!

If you have to do an interview to be accepted, remember all your interviewing tips! Dress to impress, give a firm handshake, maintain good eye contact, and be outgoing. Listen carefully, and speak up. Interviews can make or break you. A good interview can clinch a spot for you at your dream school.

May
As the acceptances roll in, choose wisely. Do not go to a school just because that is where all your friends are going. Pick a school that suits your every need. Rank your choices, or make a list of pros and cons for each school. Then—and only then—sign that form and accept your offer of admission.

When you’ve accepted an offer of admission, make note to find out all you can about their on-campus and off-campus housing. Many schools do not have spots for all their students in the residences. Find out as soon as possible if you have a room in residence, and if not, get a jump on finding an apartment. Nearly every school has a housing office with postings for rentals and roommates.

If you are living in a private room in residence with no kitchen, find out if you can have a fridge in your room. Many schools have a company that provides fridges for all their residences. A rental fee and small deposit will be required.

If you have been placed on a waiting list for housing, call frequently to find out where you are on the list. This will give you a better indication of whether or not you have a chance at a spot in residence. Rez spaces are often presented with offers of admissions. If those offers are turned down, then housing can be attainable.

June
Keep focusing on your final exams. High school grades still matter when it comes to conditional acceptances and waiting-list admissions.

This is your last chance to get your OSAP application in!

Be sure that your final grades are sent to your new school to ensure acceptance.

Congratulations on making it through high school! Enjoy your graduation, party with friends, sign yearbooks and have some fun.

July
Save every penny from your summer job! You will need it. Your first tuition payment is most likely due this month or next.

Put together a great résumé and apply to on-campus jobs at your new school. There are always tons of jobs available for students, but you have to act quickly. Working a few hours a week during the school year is a lot easier than it may seem at first.

Several colleges and universities offer courses to prepare you for postsecondary school. If this interests you, give the course a try. You will receive guidelines on studying, organization and note-taking during lectures. These courses may ease your postsecondary fears a little bit.

August
Go to your new school and get to know it. Walk around campus and find the library, bookstore, cafeteria, gym and student union. Get familiar with your new stomping grounds before the campus is flooded with thousands of lost souls like yourself. Find a current student at that school, and get as many tips from him or her as you can.

Take some time for yourself before school starts. Have fun with friends, and remember to get all the e-mail and mailing addresses of your friends who are going away to school.

Pack your bags! Remember to bring mementos that remind you of home, all your favourite music and movies, posters and your favourite pillow.

September
Congratulations! You made it! Enjoy the new experiences, friends, and challenges. And try to study in between it all!

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