Freshman Year
*Classes:Request a list of approved classes from the counseling office of classes that meet requirements for 4-year college, university, community and technical school.
* Make a plan: Have your counselor create an academic plan for each of the four years of high school....even if you are not sure yet of what career you want.
* What success looks like: Set personal goals for grades and academic achievement.Identify where you can get help with tutoring if needed.
*Extracurricular Activities: Find out about sports, music, drama, clubs andother activities the school offers. This enriches you and is an asset in college admissions.
* Community Service: Volunteering also enriches you, provides new experiences, and can help satisfy some college entrance requirements. Charitable organizations websites provide information of what and how you can help.
Sophomore Year
* Classes:Make an appointment with your counselor to review your progress towards your goals. Are the classes you have selected helping you towards college?
* TimeManagement: Set up a weekly schedule that balances classes and activities.Computer software or a calendar in your room can help you keep track.
* Advanced Placement: Ask your counselor if these classes are right for you. If so, they can raise your GPA and earn college credit. They require more work, but can make a difference.
* Summer:Talk to your counselor about summer classes - if they are available. They can improve a failing grade, improve a grade, or get a future class out of the way.
Junior Year (This is a critical year for most students)
* Classes:Once more, review your academic goals with your counselor.
* PSAT: Signup for and take the PSAT. They are given in October, and scores are sent to you in December. They cover reading, math, and writing, and prepare you for the SAT..
* Review Scores: Sit down with your parents and counselor and see where you could do better.
Take a SAT preparation class if possible to prepare you for the spring SAT, ACTor AP tests. Late winter and early spring are best times to begin to preparefor the SAT.
* College Visits: There is no formula for how many schools to visit. Colleges offer tours, but sometimes it is useful to visit on your own and talk to students about classes and school life.
Senior Year (month by month)
*September:
Classes: Have your counselor check that all your class meet collegerequirements.
College Applications: Visit websites of schools you are interested in todetermine their deadline and requirements.
Essay: Visit college website to see what they want in application essays.
Recommendations: Identify teachers and others to write you a strongrecommendation.
*October:
Essay: Complete, edit and proofread several times. Have other people dothe same.
Scholarships: Begin submitting scholarships now.
*November:
Applications: UC and CSU deadlines are this month, as well as many other colleges.
Recommendations: Send in these letters. Some schools have their own form to use.
Financial Aid: Review your FAFSA application. Obtain PINS from pin.ed.gov.
Athletes: To play at the college level you must have NCAA certification. See NCAA.org for details.
SAT/ACT: This is the last month to take these tests for CSU admission.
*December:
Applications: Many private colleges have their deadline this month.
Financial Aid: Complete the FASA and prepare to submit in January.
SAT/ACT: This is the last month to take these tests for UC admission.
* January:
AP Exams: Register with your school's test coordinator.
Financial Aid: Complete FAFSA. File between January 1 and March 1.
Transcripts: If required, send 7th semester transcripts to colleges
ELM/EPT: If entering CSU, apply now for Entry Level Math (ELM) or English
PlacementTest (EPT). Your SAT/ACT score may exempt you.
*February: Community Colleges: Applications begin this month
Housing: Reviewcampus guidelines to reserve your housing.
* March: Financial Aid: Review financial aidpackages offered by the accepting schools.
* April: Decision Time: Send in your"Intent to Register" forms to your selected school,and decline offers from any others. Deadline is May 1.
Community Colleges: Register for summer classes.
* May: AP Tests: Tests areoffered this month.
* June: Graduation. Good luck incollege
* May: AP Tests: Tests areoffered this month.
* June: Graduation. Good luck in college!!