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The information on this page comes from http://www.petersons.com.
Visit their site for terrific additional information about planning for college!
COLLEGE PLANNING: NINTH AND TENTH GRADE
If you’re starting your college planning now, give yourself a nice pat on the back.
(Go ahead…we’ll wait.)
The number one way to increase your chances of getting in is to start preparing way in advance...
so let’s get started!
NINTH GRADE
At this stage in the game, you’re building the foundation for your high school career. In other words,
it’s time to establish your academic and extracurricular credentials.
Fall
1. Challenge yourself
- Here are the “musts” for your schedule: English, math, science, history, and a foreign language.
- Take each at the highest level you can handle. Also, get in the habit of reading.
As you progress through high school, it will really help you.
2. Try new things
- Whether your gig is theater, sports, or something totally unique, get involved!
It’s fun — and will work in your favor down the road.
- Meet your friendly guidance counselor
Your counselor is one of the champions who can help you make sense of things. Set up a
meeting to chat about high school and beyond.
Winter
1. Make the grade
- Grades matter! Get in the habit of doing well and it’ll be a lot easier to keep up that GPA
through all four years.
2. Chart your course
- As you choose tenth-grade classes, move to the next level, academically.
This will set the stage for your high school academic career.
Spring/Summer
1. Don’t be modest
- Start an “I’m awesome” file. Record honor roll awards, community service, and anything else
you do. It’ll come in handy later (way later) when you're filling out college and scholarship
applications.
2. Make summer count
- You could spend summer lying around doing nothing. But why would you want to?
There are tons of cool ways to banish boredom and get ahead. (Summer camps, language
programs, service trips, etc. - find something that interests you and do it!)
TENTH GRADE
By now, you’ve probably gotten a handle on what high school is all about.
The choices you make now will affect the future, so your goal for this year is to stay on top of things!
Fall
1. Take a practice run on the PSAT
- We know the idea of taking a test that you don’t have to take sounds odd. Do it anyhow.
It won’t count and will prepare you for the real thing.
2. Keep up the good work
- Don’t give in to the temptation to slack. There’s probably a lot competing for your attention,
but grades really matter. Remain focused on doing well in challenging courses that make you
think! Choose courses that challenge you and give it your best shot.
3. Crack open a book or two
- Did we mention the importance of vocabulary? Starting next year, some important tests will
start popping up. Start getting ready now by building a test-perfect vocabulary.
Spring
1. Get financial aid on your radar
- It's early to think financial aid, but that's OK. Just for fun, check out some of the scholarship
opportunities that are out there. The more you know, the more prepared you'll be when it
comes time to apply for them.
2. Stay on track
- It’s time to plan for junior year. If you’re feeling frisky, add a second foreign language or
science class to your schedule.
- Maintain and deepen your involvement in extracurricular activities.
Summer
1. Take a road trip
- Summer is the perfect time to check out schools online — or in person!
- Take advantage of family vacations or business trips and check out some schools. You don't
have to worry about where you want to go in particular. Just get a feel for college in general.
2. Do what you love...
- ...and love what you do! Get involved in some activities that you're into and that will dress up
your college applications down the road. Find something you're passionate about and do it.
COLLEGE PLANNING: ELEVENTH GRADE
Are you ready? This is a huge year when it comes to college planning. (Of course, every year is
important when it comes to grades.)
From taking important tests to building your college list, there’s a lot to do.
Keep the end goal in mind and don’t get overwhelmed. Tests aside, this should be fun!
Fall
1. Fill your date book
- Figure out when you’ll be taking important tests like the SAT or ACT and mark them on your
calendar. You’ll want to have plenty of time to prepare.
2. The PSAT/NMSQT is your friend
- Taking the PSAT/NMSQT in October will help you figure out what to study for the SAT. Also, the
top performers become eligible for national merit scholarships (US citizens and permanent
residents only - sorry!). If you have US citizenship, make sure you take it! If not, it is a great
practice and certainly couldn't hurt.
3. Start fact finding
- Keep an eye out for college nights and go! You can learn a lot.
- Now is also a great time to start a file to organize the college catalogs and brochures that will
soon start to pile up.
4. Get prepped
- Formulate your prep plan for the SAT, ACT, AP, and other tests.
- Don’t know where to start? Take a practice test and talk to your counselor — it’ll help you figure
out what to do next.
Winter
1. Avoid senior slump: early edition
- When you pick senior-year classes, don’t load up on electives. Stick with a challenging schedule
that will warm the heart of a college admission officer. If possible, take some AP classes.
2. Talk to your family
- As you explore potential colleges, keep your family in the loop. Things will be easier later if they
know where you’re coming from. They may even have some helpful ideas!
3. Stay involved
- Continued involvement in school and community activities is a definite must. Besides, who
wants to sit around at home?
4. Plan ahead
- If you're planning on taking the SAT or ACT in the spring, now would be the time to prepare!
- From books and practice tests to online courses, there are tons of options. Do something!
Spring/Summer
1. SAT, ACT, AP...
- Whichever tests you’re taking, make sure you’re ready.
- Study as much as possible, but definitely relax the night before your test.
2. Road trip!
- The best time to check out a school is when classes are in session. Plan visits for spring break
or summer vacation.
- If you’re seriously considering a school, schedule an interview. Colleges keep track of which
students seem most interested. Afterward, send a thank you!
3. Contrast and compare
- As you find schools that you like, write or call to request more info and an application.
- Build a solid list of schools, including ten or so possibilities. You can narrow your choices early
next year.
4. Start thinking dollars and cents
- If you hear about a financial aid night for parents, tell them about it.
5. Get a head start on scholarship applications
- There are millions of scholarships, but you’ll never find them if you don’t look.
- From local organizations to online searches, look everywhere and plan to apply.
- Scope out the kinds of essays you might need to write in order to apply and start brainstorming.
It'll make things much easier later.
6. A recommendation
- Certain teachers are asked to write recommendations by lots of students. If you have an
eleventh grade teacher who you think would write a great letter for you, ask them if they would
be willing to write a letter for you now (especially if they are leaving the school for any reason!).
Talk to your counselor, get the proper form, and give it to the teacher.
7. A little summer writing
- Feeling nervous about your college admission essays? Scribble out some practice essays!
Writing’s like anything else — you get better the more you do it.
COLLEGE PLANNING: TWELFTH GRADE
You’re in the home stretch and college is literally around the corner.
(OK, maybe not literally, but you know what we mean.)
What we definitely don’t mean is that it’s time to put your feet up — there’s still a lot to do.
Filling out college applications may feel like a full-time job.
Stay organized, keep track of deadlines, and don’t procrastinate! Keep your end goal in mind.
Late summer
1. Early action on early decision?
- If you plan to send in early decision applications, visit the schools again and make sure you’re
willing to commit. If meeting costs is a concern, visit the financial aid office on your visit.
- Talk to your counselor if Early Action or Early Decision are on your mind.
2. Compare apples to apples
- Figure out how colleges stack up, according to what matters most to you.
- The goal isn’t to find the “best” school (there’s no such thing) — it’s to find the best school for
YOU.
3. Finalize your list
- Put the finishing touches on your college list. In a few short weeks, it will be time to start
working on your applications!
- Be sure to include a few safety schools. Pick safeties that you'll love.
Fall
1. Slack on slacking
- You’ve probably heard this about a million times, but SENIOR YEAR GRADES COUNT.
- Some schools will take back admission offers if you bomb, so don’t do it.
2. Keep at your scholarship search
- It never hurts to apply — and it could make a dent in next year’s tuition bill!
3. Ask for letters of recommendation
- Writing a recommendation is a favor. If you haven't already, schedule an appointment with your
champion to discuss your goals — as early as possible.
- Also give them everything they’ll need to complete the letter properly.
- Write a thank you note afterward. Tell them how much you appreciate the fact that they took
time out of their busy schedule to write a letter for you.
4. Plan your test schedule
- Take the SAT and/or ACT, as well as any Subject Tests, if applicable.
- If you’re happy with your scores, you’re done forever!
- If not, you have a couple of months to hit the books (or computer) before giving it a final shot.
5. Seek some guidance
- Counselors want to help you, but they can't if they don't know who you are!
- Prepare for your college conference with your counselor. Complete the paperwork and be
ready to go. This is your chance to let the counselor get to know you better. The more you
can share, the more helpful they can be... (and the better prepared they are to write you a letter
of recommendation!)
- Clue them in as to where you’re applying and ask them whether you’re on track with admission
requirements.
6. Think financial aid
- Certain schools require a supplemental financial aid form (in addition to the FAFSA) called the
CSS/PROFILE. Check to see if this is the case at any of the schools to which you're applying. If
so, the form is due in the fall.
Winter
1. Special advice on early decision
- If you get in, it’s time to withdraw your other applications. YOU HAVE TO DO THIS.
- If you don't get in, it isn’t the end of the world! Keep your other applications out there.
2. Watch the clock
- The last thing you want to do is miss an application deadline!
3. Submit the FAFSA and other financial aid paperwork
- No matter what your family's income-level, the FAFSA is your number one priority for financial
aid purposes — it’ll determine how much you’re expected to pay.
4. Continue your scholarship search
- Don't slow down in your hunt for extra cash.
- The downtime after applications have been mailed is the perfect time to focus on aid!
5. Make the grade
- Your counselor will send a secondary school report, including your first semester grades, to all
of the schools to which you're applying. Check in to make sure this is getting done.
Spring
1. Read financial aid offers carefully
- Make sure to consider each financial aid award very carefully.
- If you have ANY questions, don't hesitate to call the financial aid office of the college to get
more information.
2. Last tests!
- Get ready for any AP tests that you're planning on taking in May.
3. Play the waiting game
- If you applied under the regular application process, you should receive an admission decision
by March or April.
- Not sure which offer you want to accept? Consider a final campus visit.
4. The waitlist
- If you're placed on the waitlist, the game isn't over yet.
- Keep your eye on your mailbox; you should receive a decision by May.
5. What if I don't get in???
- If you've applied to some safety schools (as your counselor has recommended!) then this
shouldn't be a problem... but it's a possibility nonetheless.
- If worse comes to worse and you don't get in, don't despair — check out schools with late and
rolling application deadlines.
6. Get ready to go?
- It’s time to make the big decision. May 1 is the commitment deadline for most colleges.
- As you consider your options, be sure to take the financial aid factor into account.
- Once you've made your final call, start thinking about housing forms and other paperwork that
needs to be completed.
- Don't forget to contact the schools that accepted you, but you will not be attending. Thank
them for the opportunity. It's important to let them know because there could be someone on
the waiting list who is dying for that spot to open up!
CONGRATULATIONS!!!
You made it!
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