Start Planning for College This Summer with BigFuture

Ahh, summer. Time for swimming, barbecuing, and … college planning?

If you’re heading into your senior year this fall, summer is the perfect time to get ready for college application season. Here are a few simple ways you can make sure you’re all set to start applying to colleges this fall.

Get to Know Yourself

Finding the right college is all about knowing who you are and what you’re looking for. Thinking about what you do well, what challenges you, and what you’ve always wanted to try can help you better understand what kinds of colleges and universities might fit you best.

10 questions to help you get started

Create Your College List

Once you’ve thought about what you’re looking for in a college, make a list of 15 to 20 colleges that you’re interested in. On BigFuture™, you can search for colleges by locations, majors, size, and more. Create a college planning account to save your list and come back to it later.

5 steps to creating your college list

Visit a College Campus

Want to get a feel for a college campus? One of the best ways is to see it firsthand on a college visit. From classes and dorms to the cafeteria menu, checking out a college can help you determine if a school is right for you. And if you can’t visit a school in person, you can learn a lot about a school online.

Tips for making the most of a campus visit

Get Ready for Financial Aid

One of the most important parts of the college application process is applying for financial aid. If you’re planning to apply for financial aid – and you should – you’ll need to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens Oct. 1. Use the summer to start gathering documents you’ll need to apply.

How to complete the FAFSA

Practice for the SAT

If you’re planning to take the SAT® in the fall, practice over the summer to make sure you’re feeling confident on test day. Go to Khan Academy® to take practice tests, get personalized suggestions, and watch video lessons. Or download our free practice app to access SAT practice questions wherever you go.

Tackle these steps this summer and you’ll be in a great place come fall. You can go to college — BigFuture can help you get there. Create an account on BigFuture today to get plenty of college planning help along the way.