Summer’s over and there’s plenty of work to be done on the college hunt. Here’s a clip-and-save list of what families should be doing this fall:

¢ Finish researching colleges and prepare a final college list with reach, target and safety schools. Recommended list is five to nine colleges.

¢ Identify the number of essays and the specific essay prompts for each college. See if there are overlaps that allow you to use the same essay for multiple colleges.

¢ Register online for each college at their sites or at www.commonapp.org.

¢ Ask teachers in advance if they will write letters of recommendation.

¢ Prepare materials for recommenders that includes: downloaded teacher recommendation form, stamped addressed envelope and Information Sheet/Brag Sheet/Resume.

¢ Brainstorm essay topics with parents to help select the theme that allows you to share the most about yourself.

¢ Make arrangements with your guidance office to send your high school transcripts.

¢ Make your own application checklist that charts completion of: application, letters of recommendation, sending test scores, etc.

¢ Double-check that the correct applications/essays are being sent to the appropriate schools and keep hard copies of everything.

¢ Visit colleges you didn’t have a chance to see over the summer or consider revisiting colleges of particular interest.

¢ Prep for the ACT, SAT and SAT Subject Tests as needed. Register before deadlines and have official test scores sent by the testing agency to colleges.

¢ Discuss realistic financial commitments with parents.

¢ Explore financial aid and scholarships.

¢ Study, study, study – first-semester grades count.