College Calendar for Parents

Each year, we hear from parents seeking direction and guidance regarding the college application process.  The calendar below provides a general time frame of suggested activities to assist your child in the college selection process.  Parents are encouraged to contact the Guidance Services Department for additional assistance.

Freshman Year

• Discuss academic and career plans with the guidance counselor.

• Attend annual college fairs at Joliet Junior College, Lewis University and Lockport Township High School.

• Review results of your child’s ability and interest inventories.

• Discuss the impact of grades and course selection on college admission.

• Check curriculum requirements for college entrance.

• Encourage involvement in extracurricular activities, volunteering, and internships or other work experiences.

• Plan for college expenses…explore your savings options.

 Sophomore Year

• Review PLAN results with your child.

• Attend annual college fairs at Joliet Junior College, Lewis University and Lockport Township High School.

• Start to network with your child’s teachers and counselor.

• Begin exploring appropriate college options with your child.

• Continue your support of extracurricular involvement and encourage participation in leadership roles.

• Encourage your child to begin career and college exploration in the College/Career Center.

• Support your child’s involvement in volunteer services or organizations.  Volunteerism may support admission and scholarship opportunities.

• Consider registering for PSAT.

 Junior Year

• Begin college visitations.

• Attend annual college fairs at Joliet Junior College, Lewis University and Lockport Township High School.

• Consider ACT preparation classes for your child.  (Registration information will be mailed in January).

• Schedule a visit to the College/Career Center at LTHS to obtain additional information regarding college selections, scholarships, financial aid, testing information, etc.

• Review results of ACT test with your child. Consider registering for the National ACT Test, especially if your child may be considered for an NCAA athletic scholarship.

• Attend information sessions and college nights sponsored by the high school.

• Consult with your son’s or daughter’s high school counselor for college search ideas and advice.

• Review all options. If a school seems too costly, find out what scholarships and other financial assistance may be available to you. 

• Support your child’s involvement in volunteer services or organizations.  Volunteerism may support admission and scholarship opportunities.

• Consider registering for PSAT.

Summer before Senior Year

• Help your son or daughter sort through college mail as it arrives.

• Review ACT/SAT results and discuss whether your child should retest.

• Visit different types of schools:  small and large, vocational and liberal arts, private and public.

• Develop a list of questions for colleges and take them with you on your visits.

Senior Year

• Encourage student athletes to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse.

• If applicable, encourage your child to write an essay or personal statement.

• Encourage your child to request recommendations from teachers or counselors.

• Schedule a visit to the College/Career Center at Lockport Township High School to obtain additional information regarding college selections, scholarships, financial aid, testing information, etc.

• Attend annual college fairs at Joliet Junior College, Lewis University and Lockport Township High School.

• Contact counselor to discuss your child’s post-graduation plans.

• Continue college visits.

• Review college applications for accuracy.  Include required application fees.

• Submit completed applications, fees, and transcript requests to the College/Career Center Manager.  It is suggested that all applications be submitted by November 1.

• Review monthly scholarship bulletins with your child.

• Review local scholarship information (available in January) and deadlines.  Encourage your child to submit completed local scholarship applications by required deadlines.

• Collect all of your tax information and file for financial assistance in a timely fashion. Keep copies of all financial aid application information.

• Apply for financial aid by completing the FAFSA (FAFSA applications are not available until December of your child’s senior year.).

• Notify the chosen school of the final decision and send in the tuition deposit.  It is also common courtesy to notify all other schools that granted acceptance.

• Submit housing deposits.