Get involved in extracurricular activities, social/volunteer work, employment and awards.
– Be engaged and take on leadership roles (admissions officers understand that achieving excellence takes time and prefer to see commitment in one or two areas rather than more superficial participation across many activities.
– Follow your interests since it will be hard to be committed in something you don’t enjoy.

Start understanding Standarized Tests (PSAT, SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Test, TOEFL, IELTS, etc)
Register for PSAT (optional)
Follow up with your extracurricular activities.
Plan an internship over the summer.
Start researching colleges and universities.
Start writing your resume and saving all your certificates.

Register for PSAT (Third week of October)
Develop a strategy for future tests (study for the tests with a tutor or by yourself, buy books) Start a preliminary list of colleges and/or universities.
Register for SAT Subject Test (if applicable)
Register for SAT or ACT
Register for TOEFL

Continue your extracurricular activities, social/volunteer work, employment, enrichment programs You can schedule college visits over the summer and start preparing for interviews. If you can take AP exams, find a school that offers them.

Finalize your college list.
Look up university requirements under admissions requirements on each college website.
Register for SAT (if you need to take it again)
Register for TOEFL (if you need to take it again)

Ask for recommendation letters during your senior year and give enough time to your teachers. Remember to ask teachers that know you well and have great things to write about you. Prepare a chart with your school names (you can do it using Excel) with application deadlines, requirements and start applying after July. You can use Common Application.

Start working on your essays, ask someone to review them.

Maintaining a high GPA is very important during your last year, it states your commitment. Take AP exams (Advance Placement) or any other program that will boost your resume.