Skip Navigation

College Planning Guide

College Planning Guide

7th and 8th Grade Students

  •      Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college.
  •      Ask your parents, guardians, or teachers to help you develop good study habits.
  •      Practice setting and reaching goals.
  •      Volunteer in your community.
  •      Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.
  •      Talk with the School Counselor and parents about careers that interest you.
  •      Create a tentative high school class plan.
  •      Enroll in a summer enrichment program

9th and 10th Grade Students

  •      Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers that interest you.
  •      Talk with School Counselor about college and career options, and the education required for those careers.
  •      Talk with your family about paying for college.
  •      Talk with your friends, teachers, School Counselor, and parents about college.
  •      Participate in extracurricular activities.
  •      Take the ASPIRE in 10th grade to prepare for the ACT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.
  •      Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.
  •      Explore internships and apprenticeships.
  •      Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
  •      Sign up for classes that will earn you college credit during your junior year of high school.

11th Grade Students

  •      Attend college and financial aid fairs.
  •      Mentor others and have a mentor for yourself.
  •      Take the PSAT in the fall to prepare for the SAT or ACT, and to identify areas you need improvement.
  •      Take the ACT and/or SAT in the fall. If you are going to a community college, check for their requirements because you may not have to take the ACT.
  •      Consider possible career options and investigate the education that is needed.
  •      Request materials from schools that interest you, and visit their websites.
  •      Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you. Mett with an admissions officer, a financial aid representative, faculty members, and college students.
  •      Participate in extracurricular activities.
  •      Request admissions and financial aid forms.
  •      Sign up for classes that will earn you college credit during your senior year of high school.
  •      Take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring.
  •      Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting you high school graduation requirements.
  •      Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
  •      Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.
  •      Research your private scholarship options.

12th Grade students

  •      Sign up for classes that will earn you college credit during your last year ofhigh school.
  •      Meet with School Counselor to review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.
  •      Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.
  •      Take or retake the ACT and/or SAT in the fall. If you are going to a community college, check for their requirements. You may not have to take the ACT.
  •      Select the schools to which you will apply. Make a list of important admissions and financial aid deadlines for each school.
  •      Attend a financial aid event
  •      Participate in extracurricular activities.
  •      Create a resume of your academic, athletic, and work activities as well as other achievements. Prepare a portfolio if you’re interested in the arts.
  •      Search and apply for private scholarships.
  •      Ask for recommendations (if required) from teachers, counselors, and others who can comment on your abilities and talents.
  •      Apply to four to six colleges that interest you. Do not wait until just before the deadline.
  •      Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Oct. 1st. You and your parents can use tax information from the previous tax year.
  • Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy. If you make corrections, return the form as quickly as possible.
  •      Ask your school counselor to send high school transcripts to those colleges to which you’ve applied.
  •      Choose a college and send in any required forms or deposits (housing, meal plan, etc). Notify in writing those schools you don’t plan to attend.
  •      Think about getting a summer job to earn money for college.