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In many ways, the path to the right college or university is like a board game. Make the right move and you jump several steps closer to the institution that's right for you. Forget a step, and you can end up back at "square one." Planning ahead and making sure you take each step in turn will help you avoid detours and stay on track. Here's a quick reference calendar for the year to come:

In September, sophomores and juniors should register for either the PSAT as a practice run for the SAT, or the PLAN, which is a pre-test for the ACT. Students should also meet with guidance counselors to talk through their academic and career interests and discuss which colleges or universities might be best suited to those interests. Students searching for the right college should order "viewbooks" from prospective institutions, and visit college Web sites for detailed information on admissions, institutional offerings and – in many cases – virtual tours of the campus.

Seniors who have not taken the SAT or ACT (or those who want to take them again in hopes of higher scores) should sign up for the SAT, which is offered in October, November, and December, or the ACT, offered in September, October, and December.

Students should also know that there are two versions of the SAT. The SAT I is a three-hour test that measures verbal and mathematics skill. The SAT II is a selection of one-hour tests focusing on individual subjects. Many colleges and universities require students to take both the SAT I and one or more of the SAT II subject tests.

Students taking the SAT and ACT should also be aware that there will soon be "new" versions of both tests. Beginning in 2005, the updated SAT will include multiple choice questions to gauge understanding of grammar and proper usage, as well as a student-written essay. While some colleges and universities may accept results from the early SAT, most will require students to take this new SAT to be considered for admission. The new ACT will have an optional writing component beginning in 2005 as well.

In October (and earlier if possible), most juniors and seniors should attend college fairs at their school or a community site. Many institutions also send representatives on recruiting visits to secondary schools. Students who are taking the PSAT will do so in October. Students taking the PLAN will need to do so on the date the test is offered by their school.

In November, students in need of financial aid should be diligently searching for grants, scholarships and work-study programs. Guidance counselors can help with this.

In December, students who took the PSAT or PLAN should take a close look at their scores and determine which skills and knowledge they may be lacking. Huntington's SAT and ACT preparation courses can help fill the gaps.

Also in December, students planning on taking the ACT should sign up for the test, which will be given in February.

In January and February, and throughout the spring, students should continue investigating colleges and universities that suit their interests and aptitudes. By visiting during the months that classes are in session, students get a better sense of campus life.

Students who have already taken math courses covered on the SAT I can register in February to take the test in March. Students planning to take the ACT in April should register by March 4.

In April, students should register for the May or June SAT I and/or the May/June SAT II. Students who want to take the ACT in June can also register in April.

In May and June, many students will be taking the SAT I, the SAT II and/or the ACT. But these early months of summer are also prime-time for enrolling in Huntington's test-prep and academic enrichment programs. While all students can benefit from these programs, they are especially important for students who want to prepare to do their very best on these high-stakes tests.

In July and August, students should be refining their list of preferred colleges and universities. Once they've decided on top prospects, they should begin the application process.

Throughout the planning process, students should also be aware of the many Web-based resources that offer special guidance. One of the most useful of these is offered by the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) at www.nacac.com,  which provided much of the support for creating this calendar. Log on and you'll find great practical advice about college fairs, financial aid and much more.

While it's easy to become overwhelmed with the many steps that need to be taken, creating a calendar will help you stay on course, giving you plenty of time and opportunity to experience what can be one of the most important – and exciting – phases of your life.

This article is brought to you courtesy of Huntington Learning Center.  For information about their programs, visit them at www.huntingtonlearning.com.

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