COLLEGE PREPARATION TIMELINE

This page outlines what you need to do each year of your high school career.

9th Grade

1. Work hard to get good grades:
   
   Set academic goals at the beginning of each grading period. Remember,
   your freshman grades will be on your transcript, and these grades will be
   figured into your GPA.



2. Become involved in a wide variety of activities:
   
   College and scholarship applications ask students to list their high school activities. You should be involved in a variety of activities and, whenever possible, take a leadership role (i.e. become an officer of a club). The amount of involvement in any activity (i.e. being on the drama team or soccer team for four years) is considered important because it shows focus and commitment.
   It is also important that you participate in community service. It is now required by most universities and scholarships.



3. Select appropriate 10th grade courses:
   
   If you meet the requirements for an honors level class, it is to your benefit that you take it. The honors class will raise your GPA and look good on your transcript.
   

10th Grade

1. Work hard to get good grades.



2. Be involved in activities and develop your leadership skills.



3. Begin exploring and discussing college options: Gather information, go to college fairs, and make informal visits to colleges.



4. Select appropriate courses for the 11th grade.

Back to Top

11th Grade

1. Keep working hard at getting those good grades.
   Continue to be involved in activities and to develop your leadership skills.
   Think about and explore college options:
   
   Early in the college selection process, determine what’s important to you and your parents. Are you looking for a college close to home? Do you want a small college or a large one? Do you need a college with a specific major? Once you’re determined what you’re looking for, you can then begin to search for the colleges that meet your needs.
   A wealth of information is available on the Internet. All colleges have their own Web sites, and there are a number of Web sites with information on testing, financial aid, etc.
   
2. Register for the SAT and/or the ACT early in the spring:
   
   Almost all four-year colleges require scores for either the ACT or the SAT I. Most colleges accept scores from either test; however, to determine if a college requires or prefers the ACT or SAT, check their catalog or Web site. If you are hoping to get into a competitive college or program, or if you are applying for scholarships, you should take both exams.
   You should take the ACT and/or the SAT by the spring of your junior year. If you want to try to improve your score(s), you’ll then have time to retake the test(s) in the fall of your senior year.
   
3. How do you sign up for the ACT and the SAT?
   
   The ACT is offered in October, December, February, April and June. The SAT
   I and II are offered in October, November, December, January, March, May,
   and June. Students can register for the ACT at www.act.org and for the SAT
   at www.collegeboard.com. You can also pick up study guides and registration
   packets for the ACT and SAT in your school’s guidance office. Since
   registration deadlines are four to five weeks prior to each teat date, you should
   register a couple of months before you plan to take the test.
   Make college visits:
   
   Many high schools allow students to miss a certain number of days for college visits. Check with you school’s attendance office. Junior year is an excellent time to make college visits. Try to visit colleges while they are in “full swing.”
   
4. Carefully select courses for your senior year.
   
   Be sure that your senior courses fulfill all high school graduation requirements, requirements for the colleges you are considering, and if you’re an athlete, the requirements for athletic eligibility.
   All colleges recommend that seniors continue to follow a strong college prep program, and most require that students list their senior courses on the application. Even though you may want to “take it easy” your senior year, you need to continue taking academic courses.
   
5. Look for scholarships:
   
   Students who are hoping to get scholarships should start looking for scholarship possibilities as a junior.

12th Grade

Senior year is when everything comes together. It is also the year in which you see the rewards of your hard work and planning.

1. Continue to work hard for those good grades:
   You may have heard that your senior grades are not important. This is not true. Colleges often ask to see first semester senior grades, and at the end of the year, our high school will forward your final transcript (with all your grades) to the college you plan to attend.
   
2. Set up a calendar for the year:
   Use this calendar to record test dates, application deadlines, college visitation days, etc.



3. Sign up for the ACT or SAT if necessary:
   Look at your previous test scores and determine if you need to retake the ACT and/or SAT. If you are hoping to be accepted at a competitive college or program, or if you’re trying to get a scholarship, test scores can be very important.
   If you do not do well on the ACT and/or SAT, this doesn’t mean that you won’t be accepted into the college of your choice or that you won’t do well in college. Admissions officers look at a variety of criteria when evaluating applicants, and many students who do not do well on the ACT or SAT do very well in college.



4. Complete college applications in the fall:
   
   You guidance office has applications for many of the colleges their students attend. If guidance does not have the application you need, you can contact the college and ask them to send you one. Also, check the college’s Web site. Most colleges now prefer that students complete their application online.
   All applications require a high school transcript, and most have one or more sections for your high school counselor to complete. Make sure that you let your counselor know what you need from him/her.



5. Complete financial aid and scholarship application forms:
   If you are applying for financial aid, you and your parents need to complete the FAFSA as soon after January 1st as possible.



6. Make the decision:
   
   At some point in the spring, you and your parents must make a choice. Do not choose a college before making a college visit. Once the choice is made, complete the necessary forms, and, as a courtesy, notify the other colleges. If you are planning to live on campus, be sure to send in the required housing deposit before the deadline.

Back to Top