High School

• Attend first small-group meeting with your school counselor
• Enroll in appropriate challenging courses
• Create a Naviance account and know your log-on username and password
• Get a good start with your grades; the grades you earn in ninth grade are included in your final high school GPA which is sent to colleges
• Explore your interests and possible careers with your school counselor
• Join extracurricular activities, both school and non-school sponsored

• Meet with your counselor to select appropriate challenging courses for 10th grade
• Investigate summer enrichment programs

• Reflect on the courses you are enjoying. What potential career paths are of interest to you? Complete the Career Interest Profiler in Naviance to get matched with potential careers.

• In mid-October, take the PSAT/NMSQT for practice
• Sign up for College Quick Start on The College Board web site, www.collegeboard.com
• Familiarize yourself with general college entrance requirements

• Meet with your counselor to discuss your PSAT score
• Meet with your counselor to select appropriate challenging courses for 11th grade
• Continue to join extracurricular activities in or out of school
• Join community service and other volunteer activities
• Read, read, read! Read as many books as possible from a comprehensive reading list
• Read the newspaper to learn about current affairs

• Continue to keep your grades high so that your GPA can reflect your abilities
• Continue to explore your interest and careers that you think you might like
• Read all of the mail that you receive from colleges; you may see something you like
• Begin zeroing in on the type of college you would prefer
• If interested in attending a military academy, now is the time to start planning and getting information about that process
• Begin to plan an enriching summer
• Continue to explore your interests and careers

• Visit college campuses
• Prep for the SAT using Khan Academy or consider taking an SAT/ACT prep course

Review our Junior Career & College Planning Handbook for important information!

• Check your current GPA from the end of sophomore year. Even if your grades have not been your best, it is never too late to improve. Colleges like to see an upward trend.
• In mid-October, take the PSAT/NMSQT. In addition to National Merit Scholarship consideration, the test is also the qualifier for the National Hispanic and African American Recognition Programs.
• Ensure that you have a Social Security number
• Continue visiting college fairs at your school as well as other college or evening programs
• Meet with college representatives who visit your high school
• If you want to participate in Division I or Division II sports in college, begin your certification process through the NCAA Eligibility Center. 
• If you are interested in attending one of the military universities, speak to your counselor about starting the application process now

• Schedule a parent/student meeting with your counselor to begin the college selection process
• Register for the ACT at www.act.org or the SAT at www.collegeboard.com for late spring
• Continue preparing for the SAT or ACT tests
• Meet with your counselor to review senior year course selection and graduation requirements

• Stay involved with your extracurricular activities as colleges look for consistency, commitment and leadership.
• Consider which teachers you will ask for college letters of recommendation and ask before the end of the year
• Register online or call the admission offices for visits to colleges you are considering
• Inquire about personal interviews at your favorite colleges

• Visit the campuses of your top college choices
• After each college visit or interview, send a thank-you note or email to the person with whom you met
• Begin to work on your college application essays. The Common Application essays are available online and The Common Application will be available in early August.

Review our Senior Career & College Planning Handbook for important information!

• After October 1st complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and if necessary, the PROFILE. If you need assistance, see your counselor
• Apply to all colleges with rolling admission as early as possible once the school year starts
• Keep working on your grades and make sure you have taken the courses necessary to graduate in the spring
• Attend evening programs related to college
• Meet with your counselor and parents about final college choices, and discuss the steps required to complete your application packet
• Register for and take the ACT/SAT 
• If possible, visit colleges while classes are still in session
• If you plan to apply for an ROTC scholarship, you must apply be December 1st. Information on all of the ROTC programs can be found at http://www.todaysmilitary.com

• Send midyear reports to colleges that require them
• Attend evening programs on financial aid for colleges
• Mail or send electronically any remaining applications and financial aid forms before winter break

• Compare the financial aid packages from the colleges and universities where you have been accepted and notify the colleges of your decision by May 1st
• Maintain strong grades as your college acceptance is contingent upon finishing your high school classes with solid grades
• Graduation. Congratulations! You made it to the next step in your journey.