Academic Timeline
As a college preparatory school, the college preparation process at Cardinal Gibbons begins as soon as students set foot on campus. Our advisors always have college preparation in mind as they advise students, help students create their plans of study and aid students as they begin formal college application prep work during their junior year. Below is a general four-year timeline for families. More detail on the recommended academic timeline is available to both parents and students via our family morning and evening programs, as well as through informational meetings on an individual basis.
Freshman Year
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Focus on your academics and do as well as you can in all your courses.
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Meet with your advisor to create a working four-year plan.
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Take the mandatory PSAT that is offered at Cardinal Gibbons in October.
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Meet with college admission officers who visit campus. Register in Naviance.
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Explore your extracurricular interests. Consider joining a club, sport, theatrical production, school publication, community service project or finding an internship.
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Take time to meet with your teachers outside of class if you have questions or if you are curious about other ideas related to the class. This shows teachers that you are interested in learning.
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Participate in the life of the classroom to stay engaged with your teachers and your peers. Citizenship and leadership are important within your learning communities as well as extracurricular activities.
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Learn to balance the demands of your academics, extracurricular interests and social life.
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Meet with your advisor if you have questions or concerns about your academic and extracurricular endeavors.
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Be productive over the summer. Consider engaging in community service, getting a job or internship, or taking courses at the college level. If you need ideas, meet with your advisor.
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If taking AP World History, consider taking an SAT Subject Test in June.
Sophomore Year
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Continue to build the skills highlighted in ninth grade.
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Meet with your advisor to update your working four-year plan.
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Take the mandatory PSAT offered at Cardinal Gibbons in October.
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Meet with college admission officers who visit campus. Register in Naviance.
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In the spring, you will meet individually with your advisor to select and register for 11th grade courses and to build your relationship.
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Continue to develop solid relationships with your teachers because they may be the cornerstones of your college application process.
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Be productive over the summer. Consider engaging in community service, getting a job or internship or taking courses at the college level. If you need ideas, meet with your advisor and explore the Summer Opportunities Guide.
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If taking AP courses, consider taking the corresponding SAT Subject Tests in June.
Junior Year
September
Juniors should plan to meet with college admission officers during their on campus visits to get more information about a variety of schools.
October
Students will take a PSAT administered on the Cardinal Gibbons campus during the school day. The College & Academic Advising Department will register you for the exam.
Student-athletes who expected to be recruited should begin preparing for January and March standardized tests.
December & January
Students should now initiate formal preparation for the March SAT or April ACT.
Student-athletes who expect to be recruited should take an SAT or ACT in January, February or March, or as advised.
February & March
Students should initiate one-on-one meetings with their advisor to choose and discuss their senior schedule, as well as build a college list.
March & April
Plan potential college visits during Spring Break, in order to become familiar with different size institutions and their programs.
Register for Cardinal Gibbons' College Application Workshop, a three-day program that details the steps of the college application process.
May & June
Participate in the final SAT and ACT administration and Bright Futures testing opportunity of the academic year.
If you are taking AP courses, and are required by universities you are planning to apply to, take SAT Subject Tests in June.
Begin asking teachers for letters of recommendation.
Complete your Junior Questionnaire. Remember, your advisor will use your answers while assembling your school recommendations.
Senior Year
September & October
Arrange individual family meetings to discuss your applications as necessary.
Register for SAT and ACT administration, if necessary. This will typically be the final possible administration for all early application programs.
Seniors should plan to attend daytime sessions to meet college admissions representatives and to hear about various institutions.
Solidify a list of colleges to which you will apply under Early Action, Early Decision, Rolling, or any other Fall deadline admissions program.
Optional: Arrange interviews, auditions, portfolio reviews, class visits, campus visits, and overnight visits.
Work closely with your advisor on application essays and materials.
FAFSA and CSS Profile become available. Check priority submission deadlines.
November
Early/Priority applications are due November 1.
Optional: Arrange interviews, auditions, portfolio reviews, class visits, campus visits and overnight visits.
Check applicant portals and email accounts regularly to make sure your materials have been received.
Note when housing applications are available.
Work closely with your advisor on application essays and materials for mid-November and early December deadlines.
December & January
Decisions for most early applications are released.
Work closely with your advisor on application essays and materials.
Regular Decision applications and Early Decision II applications are due January 1.
March
Check applicant portals and email accounts regularly to make sure your materials have been received.
Keep an eye out for housing registration.
Review financial aid awards packaged by the colleges.
Final admissions decisions will be released by early April.
April
Attend admitted student programs and receptions at the colleges and universities of your choice.
May
Make arrangements to participate in the final SAT and ACT administrations and Bright Futures testing opportunity for the academic year.
Make your final choice of schools and submit your enrollment deposit by May 1, the national deadline for depositing.
Show your new school pride and participate in College T-Shirt Day!
Focus on strong AP exam scores to receive college credit and placement.
Graduate and celebrate!