Freshmen

• 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
• Prepare for end of course exams and AP exams
• Graduate! Congratulations, you have worked hard.
• Attend orientation at the college of your choice