Freshman Year - 9th Grade - Set Your Sights on College

• Take courses that challenge you.

• Meet with your school counselor to discuss your educational and course options.

• Explore courses such as AP, honors, and Career and College Promise.

• Create a free Raise.me account to save your courses, activities, and more to obtain micro-scholarships to various colleges.

• Research ways to save and pay for college.

 

Sophomore Year - 10th Grade - Stay Focus

• Pursue extracurricular interests, such as dance, sports, clubs, and community service.

• Review your goals for the future with your College or Guidance Counselor.

• Take the PSAT and PACT for practice.

• Talk with family and friends about their educational choices.

• Research and visit colleges.

• Talk with Coaches about college sports and scholarship eligibility.

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Junior Year - 11th Grade - The Most Critical Year of All

• Review your academic plan with your College or Guidance Counselor.

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October to qualify for National Merit Scholarships.

• Check admissions requirements of colleges that interest you.

• Attend college fairs and financial aid workshops.

• Visit colleges.

• Register and take SAT, ACT, and AP Tests.

• Narrow down your list of colleges.

• Find a Pre-College Summer Program or Internship in your field of interest.

• Continue your search for scholarships.

• Ask teachers, counselors, coaches, and community leaders to write recommendation letters to support your application.

• Write, edit, proofread, and rewrite your admissions essay over the summer.

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Senior Year - 12 Grade - Finish Strong

• Review courses, graduation requirements, and scholarship opportunities with your College or Guidance Counselor.

• Take the first SAT and ACT offered this fall.

• Select at least 5 colleges - a reach school, a safety school, and 3 match schools.

• Keep track of the application and financial aid offices for school-specific scholarship information, deadlines, and forms.

• Use the Common Application and/or Coalition Application to submit your college applications.

• If you are a student athlete, send transcripts to NCAA Clearinghouse for eligibility certification.

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