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College Planning Calendar

Academic Planning for College at Principia Upper School

College planning begins early in freshman year, when we talk to you about your four-year academic plan and the importance of challenging yourself with the highest-level work possible while always putting forth your best effort. We will also explain your Upper School transcript and cumulative GPA (grade point average). Since the strength of the curriculum and the GPA are the two most important factors colleges consider in the admissions process, we want to be sure that you understand the importance of starting out strong and maintaining consistent effort.

Because we are a college prep school, our graduation requirements are consistent with the admissions standards of most colleges and universities. Students who expect to apply to highly competitive public and private schools should take the most advanced courses they are qualified to take. The Upper School Academic Sequence, also available in the Upper School Course Catalog, lists the courses we offer by year and indicates the minimum, preferred and competitive number of credits needed in each subject area.

Principia Upper School has systems in place to allow each student to succeed. These include: a weekly Academic Check In (ACI); a twice-weekly, after-school conference period when all teachers are available; and an Academic Alert program that allows teachers to be in touch with parents and the home department anytime a student’s grade drops below a C. These programs allow our teachers, counselors, house parents, and parents to join together in supporting the students’ academic efforts.

We encourage you and your parents to talk with us anytime you have questions about Principia’s academic program and how it relates to the college search and selection process.

Planning Calendar

Freshman Year

  • Review four-year-academic plans with counselors and embrace the idea of taking the most-challenging courses possible.
  • In October, take the PSAT. This is arranged by the School. All freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will take this test during the school day. No registration is required and there is no fee.
  • Counselors will explain the Upper School transcript and talk with you about cumulative GPA and how important it is to start strong and work to maintain and improve grades.
  • Consider what extracurricular activities are most important to you. Colleges will want to see the depth of your experience rather than just the number of activities pursued.
  • Counselors will have all freshmen and new students register for SAT, ACT, Khan Academy, and MaiaLearning accounts. Khan Academy offers online educational lessons by subject and personalized SAT test prep help. MaiaLearning is the school’s career-exploration, college-search, and college-application software.
  • In the Portfolio/Experiences section of MaiaLearning, begin to create a list of extracurricular activities, community service, jobs, relevant summer activities, and awards.

Sophomore Year

  • In October, take the PSAT. This is arranged by the School and all freshmen, sophomores, and juniors will take this test during the school day. No registration is required and there is no fee.
  • You should continue to make good academic choices and focus on doing your best. Course selections and grades are the primary factors in college admissions.
  • Update your list of extracurricular activities, community service, jobs, relevant summer activities, and awards on MaiaLearning. Adding to this list each year will help when you fill out college applications during your senior year.

Junior Year

  • Continue to work hard academically. While colleges will consider the full transcript, they will look closely at your grades from junior year.
  • This is a good time to take on leadership roles in extracurricular activities.
  • The PSAT will be given again in October. Look at your results from sophomore year. Focus on weak areas and study for them using your Khan Academy account.
  • All students should take the SAT and ACT during junior year. Since many students do better on one exam than the other, we encourage you to take both in order to obtain your best possible results. Almost all colleges will accept either test. For more information about the distinctions between the two tests, see Standardized Testing.
  • Counselors will meet with all juniors and their parents (boarding parents by Zoom or phone) in January or February of junior year. The purpose of these meetings is to discuss the college search process and answer any questions. We will ask you to continue researching colleges and, by mid-May in MaiaLearning, “heart” the colleges you are interested in applying to.
  • We strongly encourage you to visit colleges at some point during your junior year, preferably in person but if that is not possible, at least participate in their virtual tour. We also recommend that you take advantage of Principia College’s visiting weekend program, which takes place throughout the year. Learn more and register. You’ll also need to fill out a pre-excused absence form, available from your counselor.
  • When SAT and ACT scores come back, you may become aware of weak areas. Now is a good time to do test prep in those areas so you are prepared to take the test again if you choose.
  • Representatives from colleges around the country visit the Upper School to talk with interested students during the spring and fall. This is a good opportunity to learn about colleges and speak to representatives who may be reading your applications. Scheduled visits are listed on the bulletin board in the hallway outside the School Counseling Office and on the School Counseling board of Portal. 
  • If you expect to be recruited to play Division I or II sports in college and haven’t already registered, the NCAA recommends that student-athletes register during junior year. See Information for Athletes for more details. Information about NAIA registration is also provided.
  • Talk with your parents about financial aid and begin researching scholarship options. See Paying for College for more information.
  • Your list of extracurricular activities and awards should be updated on MaiaLearning. This will be helpful to you when you fill out college applications.
  • If you plan to take the SAT or ACT again during fall term of senior year, the summer will be a good time to study to improve scores.

Senior Year

  • Counselors will meet with each senior throughout the fall semester to answer any questions that come up as you apply to colleges. 
  • Watch the schedule of college-rep visits and be sure to meet with any reps from schools where you will be applying.
  • If you are applying "Early Action" or "Early Decision" to any schools, be aware of your deadlines.
  • Counselors will work with you to set a schedule for completing college applications and they are happy to review your essays and applications before you submit them. They will also hold at least one College Application Day in the fall to help you work on your applications. 
  • If you and your parents haven’t already done so, talk about financial aid. Financial aid deadlines are specific to each college; be alert to meeting them. The FAFSA and/or CSS Profile should be completed as soon as possible after October 1. Continue to search for scholarships as well. See Paying for College for further information.
  • Decisions from colleges could come any time from schools with rolling admissions. Most other schools will notify students of their decisions around April 1 and ask you to respond by May 1. When you have been notified of an acceptance or been wait-listed, deferred, or denied, update your MaiaLearning college-application status.