FRESHMEN YEAR:
Build strong academic, language, mathematics, and critical thinking skills by taking challenging courses.
Study hard and get excellent grades.
Strengthen your vocabulary by increasing your reading.
Become involved in extracurricular activities.
Develop leadership skills.
Use Naviance Student to:
explore careers and interests and personality type.
create a resume.
research colleges.
develop a 4-year high school plan.
Participate in Wednesday mentoring and Freshmen ECAP counselor sessions.
Browse the internet and college literature to get an idea of what kinds of schools may be of interest to you and what high school course are required.
SOPHOMORE YEAR:
Concentrate on academic preparation and continue to take challenging courses.
Take the PSAT.
Check your pvlearners account often for career and college planning information.
Discuss college and career plans with your family (career interests, academic major, financial resources, and location and size of college).
Use Naviance Student to:
explore career interests and strengths.
check college admission requirements.
search for financial aid and scholarship opportunities.
Develop your leadership skills.
Get involved – at school, in clubs and organizations, student government, community services, religious organizations.
Explore summer programs, seminars, camps, and workshops that will prepare you and give you a head start on your college education or career interests.
JUNIOR YEAR:
Take the PSAT to qualify for National Merit.
Take the SAT and ACT in the spring.
Check if SAT Subject tests are required for admission to your selected colleges.
Create a list of colleges and universities you are interested in.
Visit the campuses of the schools which interest you.
Attend the in-state college fair at Pinnacle in September.
Attend the National College Fair at the Phoenix Convention Center in October.
Register online with FREE scholarship search engines such as fastweb.com or scholarships.com
Use Naviance Student to:
prepare for the ACT and SAT using Method Test Prep 2.0.
search the scholarship list.
research colleges and request additional information.
create a list of colleges of interest.
update your resume.
check the college visit list and sign up for visits
Create an organizational system to track college research and information material.
Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse by the end of the junior year.
SENIOR YEAR:
Refine your college search to 5-7 schools.
Check online for admission requirements and application deadlines.
Apply to state universities by November 1 of senior year.
Retake SAT and/or ACT if necessary.
Check that SAT and ACT scores have been sent to colleges.
Use Naviance Student to:
request transcripts.
search for scholarships.
request letters of recommendation.
check the college visit list and sign up for visits.
Attend College Fairs at regional locations.
Attend Financial Aid Night at Pinnacle in September.
Complete the FAFSA after October 1 – FAFSA.gov
Mail deposits for room and board by deadlines.
Register for summer orientation programs and academic advisement.