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9th & 10th Grade

 

  • Challenge yourself in school.

  • Get involved and stay involved.

    • Colleges like to see consistency and leadership in a few extracurriculars rather than brief participation in a ton of activities.

  • Do volunteer work if possible.

  • Start thinking about what type of college you want to go to (2-year/4-year; public/private; in-state/out-of-state) and make sure you are on the right high school course track for that pathway.

  • Try to get good grades; 9th grade is the first year in which your grades count towards your college applications.

  • Get to know your counselors and college advisers.

  • Form relationships with teachers. They will be writing your recommendation letters one day.

  • Start a “brag file” in which you keep track of your:

    • Participation in sports and clubs

    • Volunteer work (log hours)

    • Honors and awards

    • Employment

    • Make sure to keep track of the years you were involved, number of hours dedicated, and positions held.

  • Make sure your social networking sites are becoming more professional in content. Also, keep them restrictive with higher security measures.

  • Apply for scholarships, awards, or contests for high school students.

 

10th Grade

 

  • Seek leadership roles in your extracurriculars.

  • Familiarize yourself with the SAT and ACT.

  • Take the PSAT if possible and be sure to sign up for your scores to be considered for merit scholarships.

  • Take the PLAN if you are thinking about taking the ACT.

  • Start a college search folder. Collect brochures and information on colleges you might be interested in.

  • Create a professional email address.  Example: john.smith@gmail.com or smith.johnjay@gmail.com.

Freshman & Sophomore Years!

Junior Year!

 

Senior Year Checklist!

 

Preparing for college can seem like an overwhelming process, but it does not have to be! Whether you are currently in your senior year or you just want a sneak peak of what’s ahead, this page is for you. By taking things one step at a time, and using the resources available to you, applying to colleges can be fun!

Throughout Junior Year

 

  • Meet with your school counselor and college adviser to discuss higher education options.

  • Plan out your next two years of high school course work to make sure you will meet all of the minimum requirements for the type of college you plan to go to.

  • Take a strong and challenging academic load.

  • Take the PSAT and be sure to sign up for your scores to be considered for Merit Scholarships.

  • Study for the SAT or ACT in the Spring (see this page for test prep resources).

  • Stay involved in your extracurriculars and take on leadership roles.

  • Do volunteer work.

  • Make a “brag file” in which you keep track of your:

    • Participation in sports and clubs

    • Volunteer work (log hours)

    • Honors and awards

    • Employment

    • Make sure to keep track of the years you were involved, number of hours dedicated, and positions held.

  • Start a college search folder or fact chart. Collect brochures and information on colleges you might be interested in.

  • Research scholarships. College can be very expensive. Starting your financial planning early is key.

  • If possible, visit college campuses and attend college and career fairs.

  • Athletes- register with the NCAA and look up the clearinghouse requirements for college admission as an athlete.

  • Do something interesting with you summer; apply to programs, work, intern volunteer, etc.

  • Make sure to keep your social media sites professional and restrictive with security and privacy settings.

  • Make and use a professional email address when corresponding with colleges. Example: john.smith@gmail.com or smith.johnjay@gmail.com.

 

Summer Before Senior Year

 

  • Go on campus tours.

  • Research colleges.

  • Research scholarships.

  • Use your brag file to build a resume.

  • Read to improve your vocabulary for the SAT/ACT.

  • Follow the news and current events.

  • Get involved with summer programs and volunteer work

Summer Before Senior Year

 

  • Make a “brag file” in which you keep track of your:

    • Participation in sports and clubs

    • Volunteer work (log hours)

    • Honors and awards

    • Employment

    • Make sure to keep track of the years you were involved, number of hours dedicated, and positions held.

  • Go on campus tours.

  • Research colleges.

  • Research scholarships.

  • Use your brag file to build a resume.

  • Read to improve your vocabulary for the SAT/ACT.

  • Study for the SAT/ACT.

  • Follow the news and current events.

  • Get involved with summer programs and volunteer work.

 

Fall Semester

 

  • Meet with your school counselor or college adviser to discuss your higher education options.

  • Take a strong/challenging academic load. Keep your grades up.

  • Stay involved in extracurriculars and take on leadership roles.

  • Study for the SAT/ACT.

  • Register for and take/retake the SAT/ACT.

  • Take the SAT Subject Tests if required for your specific college applications.

  • Create a list of schools to apply to, ideally with 1-3 likely schools, 2-5 target schools, and 1-3 reach schools.

  • Start your applications early and make a timeline of deadlines, check points, and goals.

  • Research scholarships. Work on scholarship pre-applications and applications.

  • Request letters of recommendation from your teachers in advance.

  • Work on personal statement/college essay.

    • Get multiple people to review or edit for you.

    • Write multiple drafts.

  • Talk to your parents early about financial aid options (scholarships, financial aid, loans, work study, FAFSA forms, etc.)

    • Parents need to be prepared to file their taxes early to fill out the FAFSA and CSS forms.

  • Early decision deadlines will generally be in early November, early action deadlines vary, and regular decision will generally be in early January. Check colleges for specific dates!

  • Don’t wait to complete your college applications until the last minute. They take time!

 

Spring Semester

 

  • Complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as early as possible so that colleges can return your financial aid offers.

  • Ask your counselors to send out midyear grade reports.

  • Prepare for AP tests.

  • Decisions making!

    • Ask the college advisor for help in understanding acceptance offers and financial aid offers/rewards.

    • Visit campuses to help you choose between schools.

  • Avoid senioritis.

    • Keep your grades up because admission can be revoked if you give up in your final semester and tank your grades.

 

Throughout Senior Year

 

  • Make sure to keep your social media sites professional and restrictive with security and privacy settings.

click for Juniors

click for Freshmen and Sophomores

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