College Counseling

Fall

• Focus on a successful transition to high school and engage fully in Mercy life
• Develop strong study habits, organization, and time-management skills
• Explore extracurricular activities that are meaningful and energizing

Winter

• Begin researching summer enrichment, work, or volunteer opportunities
• Attend the Course Selection Presentation (January)
• Meet with your academic counselor to plan sophomore year courses (January–March)

Spring

• Take the Spring PSAT
• Attend the Pre-AP Registration Meeting and sign up for AP courses if eligible

Summer

• Rest and recharge
• Consider internships, jobs, service, or enrichment opportunities

Fall

• Attend the Sophomore Orientation Academic and College Counseling Presentation
• Take the PSAT (October)

Winter

• Research and apply to summer programs or activities
• Attend the Course Selection Presentation (January)
• Parents attend Parent Course Selection Night (January)
• Meet with your academic counselor to plan junior year courses (January–March)

Spring

• Apply to summer opportunities (jobs and internships)
• Take AP exams if applicable (May)
• Attend the Pre-AP Registration Meeting and register for AP courses if eligible

Summer

• Rest and recharge
• Take SAT/ACT diagnostic tests to identify the best testing option (early June)
• Begin casually exploring colleges, especially those near home or travel destinations
• Complete summer coursework and pre-AP course requirements

Fall

• Attend the Junior Orientation Academic and College Counseling Presentation
• Families attend Junior College Night (September)
• Take the PSAT (October)
• Families attend Financial Aid Workshop (September/ October)
• Attend on-campus college representative visits (August–December)
• Attend local college fairs 

Winter

• Begin SAT/ACT preparation
• Attend Course Selection Presentation (January)
• Parents attend Parent Course Selection Night (January)
• Meet with your academic counselor to plan senior year courses (January- March)
• Continue individual and family meetings with the College Counseling Team
• Plan college visits during school breaks or Spring Break

Spring

• Attend Junior Year College Counseling Information Sessions (March–May)
• Take the SAT at Mercy (March/April); register for additional ACT/SAT seats if desired
• Visit colleges 
• Attend college fairs
• Research financial aid using Net Price Calculators
• Request teacher recommendations (April/May)
• Attend student panels and college essay workshops
• Complete a student autobiography to support the application process
• Take AP exams if applicable (May)

Summer

• Research scholarships and financial aid resources
• June 1: Create your FSA ID and begin the financial aid process
• Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if planning to compete in college athletics
• Visit colleges and schedule interviews if available
• Finalize and update your college list in SCOIR
• Draft and revise college essays
• Attend College Boot Camp (August)
• Schedule 1:1 meetings with college counselor
• By late summer or early September: complete one full college application

Fall

• Confirm teacher recommendation requests
• Attend the Senior Year Orientation Academic and College Counseling Presentation
• Attend all class level College Meetings
• Attend College Fair at Serra High School
• Families attend Senior College Night and Financial Aid Workshops
• Beginning October 1: submit financial aid forms and scholarship applications
• Take SAT at Mercy; take additional SAT/ACT tests as desired
• Attend college representative visits (August- December)
• Finalize college list and application strategy with your college counselor
• Complete applications, essays, and any required supplements
• Schedule interviews and continue college visits as desired

Winter

• Submit all college applications before Winter Break
• Complete financial aid and scholarship submissions
• Update application results in SCOIR
• Write thank-you notes to teachers
• Mid-year transcripts sent by the College Counseling Office

Spring

• Review admission decisions and financial aid offers
• Visit admitted colleges
• By May 1: submit enrollment deposit to one college
• Complete housing forms and deposits
• Take AP exams if applicable
• Celebrate graduation and complete senior year strong
• Final transcript sent to enrolled college after graduation