Incoming HS Seniors & Juniors

Work hard to bring up your G.P.A. (if needed) or to maintain that high level.  In order to present yourself as a more marketable student you should participate in as many extra curricular school activities as possible. Look to participate in leadership positions. Also pursue some community service work.

9th Grade (Entering)

Summer & Fall

As soon as you can, meet with your counselor to begin talking about colleges and careers.

Make sure you are enrolled in the appropriate college-preparatory or vocational-prep courses.

Get off to a good start with your grades.  The grades you earn in ninth grade will be included in your final high school GPA and class rank.

Explore your interests and possible careers.  Take advantage of Career Day opportunities.

Get involved in extracurricular activities (both school and non-school sponsored).

Talk to your parents about planning for college expenses.  Continue or begin a savings plan for college.

Look at the college information available in your counselor’s office, school and public libraries. Use the Internet to check out college Web sites.

Investigate summer enrichment programs.

10th Grade (Entering)

Summer

Read, read, read.  Read as many books as possible from a comprehensive reading list.

Work on your writing skills --- you'll need them no matter what you do.

Find a teacher or another adult who will advise and encourage you to write well.

Continue to explore interests and careers that you think you might like.

Begin zeroing in on the type of college you would prefer (two-year or four-year, small or large, rural or urban).

If you are interested in attending a military academy, such as West Point or Annapolis, now is the time to start planning and getting information.

Attend college fairs.

Keep putting money away for college.  Get a summer job.

Fall

In October, take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) for practice.  When you fill out your test sheet, check the box that releases your name to colleges so you can start receiving brochures from them.

Ask your guidance counselor about the American College Testing program’s PLAN (Pre-ACT) assessment program, which helps determine your study habits and academic progress and interests.  This test will prepare you for the ACT Assessment next year.

Take geometry if you have not already done so.  Take biology and a second year of a foreign language.

Become familiar with general college entrance requirements.

Participate in your school’s or state’s career development activities.

11th Grade (Entering)

Summer / Fall

Meet with your counselor to review the courses you’ve taken, and see what you still need to take.

Check your class rank. Even if your grades haven’t been that good so far, it’s never too late to improve.  Colleges like to see an upward trend.

Even if you did take the PSAT in your sophomore year, sign up for and take the PSAT/NMSQT again.  In addition to National Merit Scholarships, this is also the qualifying test for the National Scholarship Service.

Make sure that you have a social security number.

Take a long, hard look at why you want to continue your education after high school so you will be able to choose the best college or university for your needs.

Make a list of colleges that meet your most important criteria (size, location, distance from home, majors, academic rigor, housing and costs).  Weigh each of the factors according to their importance to you.

Visit college fairs.  You may be able to narrow your choices or add a college to your list.

Speak to college representatives who visit your high school.

If you want to participate in Division I or Division II sports in college, start the certification process.  Check with your counselor to make sure you are taking a core curriculum that meets NCAA requirements and visit www.ncaaclearinghouse.net

If you are interested in one of the military academies, talk to your guidance counselor about starting the application process now.

12th Grade (Entering)

Summer

Visit the campuses of your top five college choices.

After each college interview, send a thank-you letter to the interviewer.

Talk with people you know who have attended the colleges in which you are interested.

Continue to read books, magazines and newspapers.

Practice filling out college applications, and then complete the final application forms or apply online through the Web sites of the colleges in which you're interested.

Volunteer in your community.

Check www.commonapp.org to see if the colleges you are interested in are listed.

Compose rough drafts of your college essays.  Have a teacher read and discuss them with you.  Proofread them, and prepare final drafts.  Proofread your final essays at least three times. Utilize the services of your Complete College Solutions assigned guidance counselor.

Fall

Continue to take a full course load of college-prep courses.

Keep working on your grades.   Make sure you have taken the courses necessary to graduate in the spring.

Continue to participate in extracurricular and volunteer activities.   Demonstrate initiative, creativity, commitment, and leadership in each.

Talk with counselors, teachers, and parents about your final college choices.

Make a calendar showing application deadlines for admission, financial aid, and scholarships.

Check resource books, computer programs, and your Guidance Counselor for information on scholarships and grants.  Ask colleges about scholarships for which you may qualify.

Give recommendation forms to the teachers you have chosen, along with stamped, addressed envelopes so your teachers can send them directly to the colleges.  Be sure to fill out your name, address and school name on the top of the form.  Talk with your recommendation writers about your goals and ambitions.

Give school report forms to your high school’s guidance office for information on scholarships and grants.  Verify with your guidance counselor the schools to which transcripts test scores, and letters are to be sent.  Give your counselor any necessary forms at least two weeks before they are due or whenever your counselor’s deadline is, whichever is earlier.

Register for and take the ACT Assessment, SAT I, or SAT II Subject Tests, as necessary.

Be sure you have requested (either by mail or online) that your test scores be sent to the colleges of your choice.

Mail or send electronically any college applications for early-decision admission by November 1st.

If possible, visit colleges while classes are in session.

If you plan to apply for an ROTC scholarship, remember that your application is due by December 1st.

Print extra copies or make photocopies of every application you send.

Apply for admission at a minimum of six colleges to increase your financial aid options.

Have you and your parent apply for “PIN” numbers at www.pin.ed.gov so that you can electronically sign the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA), Stafford and Parents Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) loans.

High School Grads – At this time you are getting ready to graduate and are looking forward to the summer before college.  If you have not already done so, try to select your dorm rather than having it assigned .  This will give you your choice of room size and location on campus.