First Year

			Develop good study habits.
			Meet with your Metro teacher and develop a four-year plan.
			Start your portfolio.
			Keep track of your service and physical fitness activities.
			Begin thinking of careers that interest you. Try www.cxonline.bridges.com. Put in the User name as 0045792 with the Password: metro. Have fun!

Second Year

			Keep up on credits and challenge yourself with harder classes.
			Consider taking the PSAT for practice.
			Attend a college fair for an idea of all of the colleges, universities and community colleges 'out there'. Attend the National College Fair - Sun. 10/31/2004, 1-4 p.m. and Mon. 11/1/2004, 9-1 p.m.
			Plan electives with your Metro teacher.
			Update your portfolio.
			Consider taking the SAT 1 or ACT in May or June.

Third Year

			Take the PSAT-NMSQT.
			Start thinking about academic strengths, weaknesses and goals.
			Make sure that you are active in sports, clubs, or volunteer activities.
			Begin gathering information on colleges at college visitations at MLC and at college fairs.
			Write, call or e-mail the schools that interest you. Add your name to their mailing list. Mention any academic areas of interest, so colleges can send you the appropriate material.
			Visit college campuses in the spring. Consider visiting a large, medium, and small college close to home; just to see how size influences the academic and extracurricular environment of a school.
			In spring, take the SAT 1, SAT 11, and/or ACT. Check the testing requirements at colleges that interest you to see which tests you should have.
			Visit college campuses over the summer.
			Update you portfolio and/or personal activity file.

Fourth Year (Graduating in June)
(Summer and early fall)

			Explore college choices with parents or others; narrow the list.
			Write for school applications.
			Meet with your Metro about your selections. Include your parents.
			Consider applying Early Decision or Early Admission.
			If you need, or want to, re-test for the SAT 1, SAT 11 and/or the ACT in the fall.
			Brainstorm essay topics and draft your essays, allowing plenty of time for revision and editing.
			Finalize list of colleges and set up folders for each school. Note deadlines for application process.
			Ask for teacher recommendations at least 5 weeks before they are due (include envelope and stamp).

(Winter)

			Send in applications; make photocopies first.
			Attend financial aid workshops. Get aid applications. Turn in after January 1.