Preparing for College: A Year-by-Year Guide to Supporting Your Student’s Journey

Planning for college can feel overwhelming. That’s why we’re committed to partnering with families and providing resources to help your child prepare for college throughout high school. Whether your student is the first in your family to attend or continuing a family tradition, you don’t have to navigate the process alone. This guide offers clear steps you can take each year of high school to help your student stay on track.

Freshman Year: Building Strong Foundations

• Encourage strong study habits. Help your student keep up with homework, plan ahead for exams and ask for help when needed. Strong grades can open up more course and college options later.
• Plan next year’s courses. Ask the school counselor about honors, Advanced Placement (AP) and dual-enrollment options that balance academic challenges with your student’s responsibilities and well-being.
• Explore interests. Encourage your student to join a club, sport or community group to build confidence and discover what they enjoy.

Montclair Connection

• Get to know campus. Attend Peak Performances or a Red Bulls II soccer game, or visit the Yogi Berra Museum & Learning Center or Montclair State University Ice Arena.

• Explore summer opportunities. Montclair’s Pre-College Summer programs let high school students explore subjects that interest them while experiencing a week of college life.

  

Sophomore Year: Exploring Possibilities

• Explore colleges. Sign up for a few college mailing lists to help your student discover options and consider what matters most to them.
• Use college search tools. Explore Niche, Appily or CollegeVine to research schools of interest.
• Connect with the school counselor. Ask about school-provided tools, such as Scoir or Naviance, to organize the college search.
• Keep academics on track. Support strong study habits and time management as coursework and activities become more demanding.
• Explore summer opportunities. Consider Montclair’s pre-college summer programs to help your student explore interests and experience college life.

Montclair Connection

• Earn college credits early. Ask your student’s school counselor about dual enrollment with Montclair or another area university, which lets students earn college credit while still in high school at a reduced cost.
• Explore the Early College Program. Eligible students can begin earning Montclair credits in their junior year.
• Visit Montclair for a campus tour. Explore campus with a student ambassador, ask questions and help your student picture college life.
• Make the most of your visit. Discover places to eat, shop and explore on campus and nearby.

Junior Year: Research and Planning

• Visit colleges. Explore campuses in person or virtually. Talk about location, commuting versus living on campus, distance from home and opportunities to find community.
• Explore majors and careers. Discuss your student’s interests without pressuring them to choose a major yet.
• Build a college list. Compare academic programs, costs, graduation rates and student support. Talk with current students or alumni for personal perspectives.
• Review application requirements. Check each college’s SAT or ACT policy and plan testing dates if needed. Montclair is test-optional; submitting scores is not required.
• Plan for costs. Attend financial aid sessions to learn about scholarships and ways to make college affordable.
• Prepare over the summer. Help your student finalize their college list and organize application requirements and deadlines.

Montclair Connection

• Experience campus. Attend Fall Open House or take a campus tour to explore academic programs and student life.
• Explore your options. Montclair’s Discovery Program helps students who haven’t chosen a major explore their interests and possible careers.
• Get an early start. Through Montclair’s Early Bird Application Program, juniors can receive an admission decision and preliminary scholarship offer before senior year. Admission is nonbinding.
• Look ahead to careers. Explore Career Services to learn about career advising, internships and opportunities to build experience.
• Explore tuition assistance. Montclair’s Red Hawk Advantage Award offers eligible New Jersey students with family adjusted gross incomes of $65,000 or less up to four semesters of free tuition and mandatory fees. Additional eligibility requirements apply.

Senior Year: Applying and Deciding

• Start applications early. Review college application requirements and deadlines. The Common Application opens August 1 and lets students apply to multiple colleges through one platform, though some schools require additional questions or materials.
• Finalize the college list. Keep visiting or exploring colleges online. Aim for a manageable list that gives your student options without overwhelming them with essays and fees.
• Apply for financial aid. Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as it becomes available. Respond promptly to requests for additional information. Need help? Contact Red Hawk Central at redhawkcentral@montclair.edu.
• Compare financial aid offers. Review each college’s costs and aid with your student. Montclair’s financial aid counselors can help explain your College Financing Plan and out-of-pocket costs.
• Attend accepted student events. Visit Montclair and other colleges before deciding. Compare majors, talk with current students and ask about graduates’ career paths.
• Confirm the decision. The deadline for first-year students to pay their enrollment deposit is May 1. This is also the deadline to pay a housing deposit for guaranteed campus housing. Paying an enrollment deposit confirms that a student plans to attend their chosen college.

Montclair Connection

• Use Montclair’s Virtual Information Sessions or Telecounseling appointments for support during the application process.
• Explore the Financial Aid Office’s workshops to learn how to read and understand financial aid offers.

Getting Ready for Montclair

• Review next steps together. Use the Accepted Student Checklist to track enrollment tasks. Need help? Schedule an Enrollment Coaching appointment.
• Plan for payments and financial aid. Review tuition bills, payment options and any remaining requirements for accepting aid or loans. Red Hawk Central and the Financial Aid Office can help.
• Get ready for orientation. Encourage your student to register for Orientation and complete required tasks. Consider attending Family Orientation, too.
• Stay on top of updates. Remind your student to check their Montclair email regularly and bookmark Deadlines and Key Dates.
• Connect with an academic advisor. First-year students should complete their scheduling questionnaire and review their advisor-created schedule. Transfer students should meet with an advisor to review credits and register for classes.
• Know where to find support. Explore the Office of Student Belonging, Dean of Students Office and Montclair CARES resources. Encourage your student to ask for help and connect with peer mentors and student success resources.

Montclair Connection

• Explore resources and events for parents and supporters at Parents and Families.
• Join the Family Portal, CampusESP, and sign up for the Family Newsletter.
• Watch the Family Webinar Series for guidance from campus staff and faculty.

Finding yourself needing help?

The transition to high school can be challenging. Our Center for Clinical Services offers a range of clinical and family support services as part of our training facility, available to residents of New Jersey and the New York metropolitan area. We provide services for individuals of all ages, addressing a variety of needs, including community-based clinical support for individuals, couples, families, and groups; career counseling and workplace issue management; and psychoeducational evaluations.