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11th GRADE "College" CHECKLIST
The term "college" includes: 4-year colleges or universities colleges, 2-year community colleges, and vocational or trade schools. There is not one type of college that is perfect for everyone, so it is important to explore your options.The classes you take in high school will prepare you for your post-high school plans. Whether you choose to pursue an apprenticeship or a technical, 2-year, 4-year university, or military academy, you will want to learn their admission requirements. Every school year, stay connected with the college career teacher and talk to your school counselor about registering for courses to build your skills and explore your interests to prepare you for life after high school.
It is never too early to begin your search. As a junior, you should put together a list of choices and begin visiting campuses. Your list should include one or two safety schools – schools you could apply and be accepted to, one or two reach schools – a reach school you love to go to but are not sure you would be accepted to, and one or two likely schools that seem to be a natural fit.
🎓 What Do I need To Graduate from Burlington-Edison High School?
✔️ Earn required credits – Students at Burlington-Edison High School must complete 30 credits to graduate from high school. Every class you take in high school counts towards graduation.
✔️ Meet standard on state assessments – You must take and pass state assessments in English language arts, math, and science or take and meet the standard through one of a variety of state-approved alternatives.
✔️ Complete your High School and Beyond Plan – Starting in 7th or 8th grade you will create a plan to help you think about your future and choose classes that prepare you for your goals after high school.
Click here to learn more about B-EHS Coursework and Credit Requirements
🌟 Good To Know:
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) Matters- The higher your GPA, the more college and scholarship options you will have available.
Pay attention in class and keep track of your grades in Skyward
Use a planner to stay organized and write down assignments, due dates, and other responsibilities
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Be an advocate for yourself and ask for support from your counselors, teachers, family members, and mentors.
📚 PICKING THE RIGHT HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES IS IMPORTANT!
The classes you take in high school prepare you for your post-high school plans. Whether you choose to pursue an apprenticeship or a technical, 2-year, 4-year college, or military academy, you will want to learn their admission requirements.
💭What Classes Should I Take?
MATH IS IMPORTANT:
Most college programs, apprenticeships, and military options require you to take math. Taking more math in high school may mean taking less math in college and opening more post-high school options.
Taking four years of high school math will help you get ready for college and can help you save on tuition costs!
👆Click here to check out the math courses we offer at B-EHS.
🌟 Things to Know:
The B-EHS graduation 30 credit requirements may not be the same as college admission requirements.
4-year colleges have the most selective requirements, and Technical and 2-year colleges have less selective requirements.
Make sure to look at the academic and class requirements for the colleges (2-year, 4-year, or technical) you are interested in attending.
💭What Are Colleges Looking For?
A challenging class schedule, including courses where you can earn college credit. Examples include Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International, College in the High School, Running Start, or CTE Dual Credit that can lead to a career credential or associate’s degree.
• Electives that match your career and college interests including career and technical education programs of study.
• Some colleges may have additional entrance or admission requirements such as taking the SAT or ACT.
• Consider taking academic classes for your elective requirements such as foreign language and/or multiple lab sciences.
👆Click on this link for the 📚Course Catalog Website to view courses offered at B-EHS
🏫 What Are Colleges Looking For?
The classes you take in high school prepare you for your post-high school plans. Whether you choose to pursue an apprenticeship or a technical, 2-year, 4-year college, or military academy, you will want to learn their admission requirements.
A challenging class schedule, including courses where you can earn college credit. Examples include Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International, College in the High School, Running Start, or CTE Dual Credit that can lead to a career credential or associate’s degree.
✔️Take College-Prep Courses: 👆Click HERE to view B-EHS WAYS TO EARN COLLEGE CREDIT WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL!
Challenge yourself with difficult coursework and do well in these courses. Take courses in high school such as Honors, AP (Advanced Placement; College Level Curricula), HS/College Dual Enrollment (Running Start), focusing on the core academics: English, Math, Science, History, World Languages. Rigorous courses that go beyond the minimum graduation requirements will make you a more impressive applicant and can even earn you college credit while in high school!
Your high school transcript is one of the most important parts of your college application, and good grades will distinguish you from many other applicants. Review your grades/transcript and progress toward identified goals every year. Revise your course choices and educational or career goals as your interests change.
Get to know your guidance counselor early in your high school career to talk about your plans for high school classes, college, and career.
Explore several extracurricular activities Freshman year is a great time to try several different extracurricular activities to see which ones are most interesting to you.
Decide on a small number of extracurriculars that you like, dedicating more time to fewer activities in order to become deeply involved.
Find a summer volunteer opportunity/ job/ internship.
Summer is a great time to earn extra money for college while exploring different career fields.
✔️Standardized Tests (11th & 12th)
Take the PSAT: Take the PSAT as a junior to practice for the SAT and qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Prepare for the SAT and / or ACT
Begin preparing for the SAT and / or ACT at the start of Junior year, with plans to take each test twice.
Take the SAT and / or ACT
Take the SAT / ACT for the first time winter of Junior Year. Plan to retake the test in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year. If you are worried about the cost of the test, ask your guidance counselor for a fee waiver!
Take SAT Subjects Tests: SAT Subject test, which are required for some colleges, are best taken in December or May-immediately after taking the relevant class and while the material is still fresh.
Take AP Exams: AP Exams, which provide an opportunity to earn college credit, are offered each year in May.
📚 PICKING THE RIGHT HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES IS IMPORTANT!
💭What Classes Should I Take?
MATH IS IMPORTANT! Math is a subject that builds on itself over the years, becoming increasingly complex as you increase your skills. Most colleges want students to have at least 3 years of high school math, though more selective colleges prefer 4 years. Prioritize taking several of the following courses:
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Trigonometry
Pre-calculus & Calculus
Career-Related Math
🌟 Things to Know:
Begin with Algebra 1 and Geometry, often considered the building blocks of higher-level math and science classes. Wrap up with Calculus, the highest level of math offered by many high schools and often considered the gold standard of pre-college math preparation.
Most college programs, apprenticeships, and military options require you to take math. Taking more math in high school may mean taking less math in college and opening more post-high school options.
Taking four years of high school math will help you get ready for college and can help you save on tuition costs!
Given the substantial reading and writing requirements of higher education, virtually all colleges expect you to take 4 years of English.
History courses offer insight into the world around you, and they also improve your critical reading and writing abilities. College-bound students often take a minimum of 3 years of history courses, prioritizing the following:
US History
US Government
World History
Geography
Science teaches you how to analyze information and apply theories to the real world. Most colleges prefer that students take at least 3 years of laboratory science classes, while more selective colleges prefer 4 years. Some specific classes to prioritize:
Physical Science or Geology
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
In an increasingly globalized world, having some basic mastery in a language besides English is highly encouraged as part of your high school studies. Most colleges prefer that you take at least 2 full years of the same foreign language, though many students choose to take 3-4 years. It is not advisable to switch between multiple languages; instead, it’s best to choose a language of the focus your freshman year and study it deeply throughout high school.
Though not considered core academic courses, classes in the arts broaden your high school experience and give you the opportunity to build a skill set outside of typical academics. Many colleges recommend one or two semesters in the arts, though students who have a particular passion for a subject often choose to pursue it throughout their 4 years in high school.
Take electives that match your career and college interests including career and technical education programs of study.
🌟 Things to Know:
• Some colleges may have additional entrance or admission requirements such as taking the SAT or ACT.
• Consider taking academic classes for your elective requirements such as foreign language and/or multiple lab sciences.
ALL YEAR
Continue to explore careers.
Update your Activity Record List
Attend College Fairs and College Visits at the high school and the community. Be sure to check the College Visit representative calendar.
🍂fall
If you haven't already start an Activity Record List
Take the PSAT/NMSQT. You must take the test in 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Research Colleges. There are many tools available to research colleges.
🌼SPRING
College Admission Tests: Register for and take exams for college admission. The standardized tests that many colleges require are the SAT, the SAT Subject Tests, and the ACT. Check with the colleges you are interested in to see what tests they require.
Test Optional Universities: Colleges with test-optional policies in place affirm that they will not penalize students for the absence of a standardized test score. Together, we strongly endorse a student-centered, holistic approach to admission that will not disadvantage any student without a test score. To see which institutions are Test Optional click HERE!
Test Blind/Test Free/Score Free: Colleges that will not consider ACT/SAT scores, even if submitted. To see which institutions are Test Blind/Test Free/Score Free click HERE!
Use free scholarship search engines to find scholarships for which you might want to apply. Some deadlines fall as early as the summer between 11th and 12th grades, so prepare now to submit applications soon.
☀️SUMMER BEFORE 12TH GRADE
Create a username and password called an FSA ID that you’ll use to confirm your identity when accessing your government financial aid information and electronically signing your federal student aid documents. Learn about the FSA ID, and create yours. Note: You must create your own FSA ID; if your parent creates it for you, that’ll cause confusion later and will slow down the financial aid application process.
Narrow down the list of colleges you are considering attending. If you can, visit the schools that interest you.
Contact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements, and deadlines.
Decide whether you are going to apply for admission under a particular college’s early decision, early action, or regular decision program. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements.
FREE TEST PREPARTAION TOOLS
ACCUPLACER: (For community and technical colleges) The ACCUPLACER web-based study app features practice tests in each test subject. It is accessible from most devices with internet access and will help students become familiar with the content and format of the ACCUPLACER test questions. accuplacer.collegeboard.org/student/practice
ACT: (For 4-year colleges) ACT Academy is a free, online learning tool designed to help students master the skills they need to succeed to improve their ACT scores and succeed in college and career. www.act.org/academy
ASVAB: (For the military) Learn more about the ASVAB and what the testing experience will be like. official-asvab.com/applicants.htm
SAT: (For 4-year colleges) Students have access to a free, personalized practice program for the SAT through an exclusive partnership between Khan Academy and the College Board. Teachers can view progress and practice on Official SAT Practice for both their classes and individual students, making it easier than ever for teachers to support students in preparing for the SAT. www.khanacademy.org/sat
RESOURCES
ACT Profile: www.act.org/profile
The College Board’s Big Future: www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org
The College Board CSS Financial Aid PROFILE: student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aidprofile
College Bound Scholarship: www.collegebound.wa.gov
Federal Student Aid: studentaid.ed.gov/sa/
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): www.fafsa.gov
FSA ID: fsaid.ed.gov/
Passport to Careers Program: www.readysetgrad.org/college/passport-foster-youth-promiseprogram
Ready Set Grad: www.readysetgrad.org
The Washboard Scholarship Search: www.thewashboard.org
Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA): www.readysetgrad.org/wasfa
Washington State GEAR UP: www.gearup.wa.gov/resources
11th Grade Packet
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READY TO START APPLYING FOR SCHOLARSHIPS?
Start with the Washboard. The Washboard connects Washington Students of all types with Washington scholarship organizations/providers. Start your profile today. It's FREE!
The Washboard is a free web-based resource for Washington students attending college in and outside of Washington. It helps students quickly identify scholarships for which they are eligible by showing only those scholarship opportunities that match their profile data. Students’ private information is kept confidential. Scholarships listed on thewashboard.org are diverse and support a wide variety of student interests and accomplishments.
There are many options for students after high school including apprenticeships, military, on-the-job training programs, community college certificates, 2-year degrees, & 4-year degrees. The term college includes all of these things. You have many options after high school. This workbook will guide you through the process of applying to a two- or four-year school.
Printed copies available in the College & Career Center!
College Knowledge Workbook
Printed copies available in the College & Career Center!
college glossary.pdf