Start Planning Early Think about your interests, background, experiences, ambitions; watch for opportunities at school and search online for career exploration programs; use online or other guidance resources to begin looking for schools that match your career goals, cost considerations, and desired locations.
Get on Track and Stay on Track If you are serious about attending a four-year college or university, be sure you are following the college-prep curriculum at school (see Academics page) and are taking the necessary core classes. • Freshman Year - Work with your parents, teachers, and guidance counselor to make sure you are taking the classes you should; begin thinking about potential career and college opportunities by spending a little time looking at literature (available from your counselor) or visiting online sites (see the College & Career Update link). Get involved in school and community activities, but be careful to set good priorities with the demands of school, activities, athletics, and work responsibilities. • Sophomore Year – take the PLAN test in the Fall when it is given at school. This test measures your current academic development and helps you explore career/training options. As a "pre-ACT" test, PLAN can help prepare you for your ACT Assessment. Continue to monitor your class selections and keep exploring your career and college options online and by occasionally checking out the College & Career Info Center (located on the first floor by the Library). • Junior Year – During the Fall, take the PSAT/NMSQT here at school. Co-sponsored by the College Board and the National the Merit Scholarship Corporation, this standardized test provides firsthand practice for the SAT I: Reasoning Test and SAT II: Writing Test. It also gives you a chance to qualify for National Merit Scholarship programs. This test measures verbal reasoning, critical reading, math problem-solving, and writing skills. By the end of first semester, you should have become serious about bringing a clear focus to your career and college choices. Start weighing the pros and cons of potential colleges and come up with 3-4 to visit. Begin visiting colleges and continue to do so over the summer. Continue to monitor your class selections and regularly visit the Info Center at school and CC Update online. Consider taking your ACT and/or SAT exams at the end of the school year or over the summer (visit their web sites for registration information; these exams are not given at school). • Senior Year – Continue to visit colleges, make your choice, and obtain the necessary application information. If you have not already done so, register for and take your ACT and/or SAT exams early in the year. Prepare college applications well before deadlines; you will have to request transcripts and sometimes letters of reference, which may take some time to secure. Begin investigating possibilities for financial aid and scholarships by visiting online sites (start with the CC Update) and checking postings at the Info Center. Parents should try to complete income tax returns as early as possible in order to complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), used to apply for federal grants, loans, and work-study programs. It may be completed after the first of the year; the earlier you file your FAFSA, the better the chance of qualifying for aid. |
