Your Timeline for a Stress‑Free College Search

We know the college search can be both exciting and overwhelming. That's why we created a timeline of steps to help over the next few years of high school.

10th Grade

• Take challenging college-prep courses.
• Consider taking the PSAT or PreACT.
• Start researching the college application process, financial aid, scholarships, and possible majors.
• Ask parents, siblings, teachers, and counselors for suggestions of colleges.

11th Grade

• Set up a meeting with your school counselor.
• Introduce yourself to your college admissions representative. Find your Drexel admissions representative.
• Attend college fairs at your high school and in your area. If in-person fairs are not available, participate in virtual fairs.
• Research colleges on their websites and on social media. Be sure to request information from schools that interest you.
• Consider taking the SAT or ACT. Learn more about our standardized testing policies.
• Choose schools to visit and schedule times to see the campuses. Open Houses offer a great opportunity to learn about colleges. If you are unable to visit in person, virtual tours are helpful too; view Drexel University's virtual tours. Also, be sure to check out our College Search Tips videos for suggested questions you may want to ask.
• Ask teachers and your counselor if they will write you a letter of recommendation.

12th Grade

• Research deadlines and make a timeline for yourself. View our application deadlines.
• Narrow down your list of colleges to the ones you'll apply to and send your test scores to those schools where you plan to apply.
• Talk to admissions counselors, students, faculty, and alumni from the colleges that are on your list to see if they're the right fit for you.
• Start working on your application essays.
• Apply to the colleges that made your final list. Be mindful of deadlines.
• Research financial aid and scholarship opportunities, along with the requirements for submission of the CSS Profile and FAFSA.

You can start the search process now and even schedule a campus visit with Drexel or visit our virtual tours!