Meet with your counselor and discuss courses
offered, different pathways, and graduation requirements
Get involved. Sign up for clubs and other
extra-curricular activities
Create a free account at www.cfnc.org and update it
each year
Explore career interests on www.cfnc.org (Career
Key)
Explore volunteer opportunities, as well as
enrichment opportunities
Concentrate on making good grades and attend
tutoring if needed
Meet with your counselor to select courses for next
year
Prepare for end of course exams
Sophomores
Take PSAT and review scores with your counselor
Practice SAT and ACT tests at www.cfnc.org
Begin researching various colleges through the
internet and in the career center
Make college visits
Continue exploring career interests, as well as
volunteer and enrichment opportunities
Stay focused on your grades and attend tutoring if
needed
Meet with your counselor to select courses for next
year
Prepare for end of course exams
If you take Algebra II in sophomore year, register
to take the SAT or ACT this year
Juniors
Meet with your counselor to review your transcript
(grades, rank, GPA, courses, pathway,etc.)
Begin thinking about how you will pay for college
and researching various options
Take an interest inventory (Example: The Career Key
at www.cfnc.org)
Take PSAT in October (you may qualify for National
Merit Scholarships)
Practice SAT and ACT tests at www.cfnc.org
Register and take SAT and/or ACT twice this
year. Recommended at end of each semester.
Attend College Fair and Financial Aid Night
Begin to prepare for college essays by keeping
track of your interests and extra-curricular activities; create a resume
Identify entrance requirements for colleges of
interest to you
Sign up for AP courses and take the AP
exams
Student athletes should register with NCAA
Clearinghouse for college level athletics
Continue being involved with school and in the
community while maintaining a strong GPA
Narrow down your college search. Consider
characteristics such as location, size, majors offered, financial options, and
social or cultural activities available
Make college visits over spring break and at
regular scheduled Open Houses. Open House dates are usually on Saturdays in
the fall and spring of each school year.
Begin thinking about who you want to do your
letters of recommendation
Prepare for end of course exams. Study
hard......colleges will be reviewing these grades
Find a summer job or internship related to your
interests
Seniors
Review courses and graduation requirements with
your counselor (senior interview)
Take SAT or ACT if you have not already or need to
retake it
Ask your counselor about scholarship and financial
aid opportunities
Check this website regularly for announcements and
scholarship updates.
APPLY for as many scholarships as possible.
You won't win them all, but you cannot win ANY that you don't apply for!
Update your resume and give a copy to the
individuals who will be writing your letters of recommendation
Write college essays early and have someone edit
them for you
Begin mailing college applications. The early
decision deadline is usually October 15.
Attend Financial Aid workshop in January
Register for any SAT II subjecg tests you may need
to take
Be aware of application deadlines for colleges and
financial aid
Complete FAFSA application online between January 1
and February 25
Look for your SAR (Student Aid Report) in the mail
if you applied for financial aid
Write college essays early and have someone edit
them for you
For community college admission, take ASSETT,
COMPASS, or Accuplacer test
When you decide what college you will attend, let
the others know you will not be attending their school and send an enrollment
deposit to the college you will be attending
Make sure you request a final transcript to be sent
to the college of your choice
Continue being involved with school and in the
community while maintaining a strong GPA