Embedded Files
June
June
Build an awesome summer reading list, starting with some picks from this list of titles that college freshmen are reading.
Values Exercise (video): Identifying your core values now can help guide your major and career exploration. And it only takes 5 minutes.
Volunteer (with an organization that is in your field of interest, if possible), to help your community.
Tips for Planning a College Visit: Make a commitment to visit one local college between now and the end of the school year. Learning about different types of schools will help you figure out which schools you want to spend time researching.
July
July
Social media cleanup: This is a good time to clean up your social media profiles. If you have any questionable photos or language, delete them now before you start your college search in earnest.
Learn more about colleges—Use online search tools, attend college fairs, speak with college reps, and ask friends already in college for their thoughts on different colleges to begin formulating an opinion of where you want to go. Continue this process throughout junior and senior year. College Board has created a great resource for your college search at BigFuture.
Are you taking a a family trip this summer? Add a college visit to your itinerary. You can make an appointment for an official visit at most colleges. Staying in Houston? I suggest vising and comparing your likes and dislikes about the following colleges: University of Houston, University of St. Thomas, Prairie View A&M University. Other local colleges include University of Houston Downtown, Texas Southern University, and Houston Baptist University.
If you have not yet established formal leadership roles like team captain or organization secretary, take an inventory of your life to determine where you do lead - even without the title. Consider how to write about this informal leadership on your college applications.
Do you get asked to work a specific shift at your job because you're trusted to do an important task?
Does your coach rely on you to communicate with the team?
Do your friends call you for help with their projects?
August & September
August & September
If you are enrolled in dual credit classes this year, make online payment by the deadline.
College App & Admissions Timeline - A timeline and set of resources that track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade.
Corsava - Check out this awesome resource that helps you figure out what you want (and don’t want) from your college experience.
PSAT - Sign up to take the exam this fall, even if you took the test as a sophomore. Strong test scores as a junior may qualify you for academic honors, including National Merit as well as programs and recruitment for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, rural, first-generation and low income students.
Compass Guide to Admissions Testing - Start mapping out a standardized testing plan with the goal of taking the SAT or ACT at least once before the end of the school year.
Connect with college admissions reps - Sign up for a few sessions with college representatives when they visit your high school this fall. Also check their website for information on virtual information sessions and local events.
Remember you have a resource to help you with confusing college terms
October
October
If you are enrolled in AP classes this year, register now for your AP tests.
PSAT - Take the exam and get a feel for what SAT Test Day will be like. Your score will help highlight your test taking strengths and areas for improvement, and will inform your test prep plan moving forward.
Attend CFISD College Night, which is typically held in the month of October.
How to Create a College List (With Tracking Spreadsheet) - Use this guide and organizing tool to begin building a list of schools that you are excited about.
Want a better idea of your chances? Check out the college acceptance calculator. Remember that many schools have new testing policies (test optional or test blind) after Covid, so this calculator's basis on historical data may make it less accurate to predict future admissions decisions, but it's still something to consider.
How to research schools without visiting a campus - You don’t need to step on a college campus to begin researching schools. Here are four resources that will show you how.
Consider a virtual tour with YouVisit
Going Test Optional: What is it? - Confused about whether or not test scores matter? Here’s an overview of what you need to know. You can also check out the CFISD presentation from February 2021
FairTest - Looking for a comprehensive list of colleges and universities with test-optional admission policies? Here you go.
Dealing with learning differences? - Researching the available support services and programs will be a critical part of your list building. Learn the differences between accommodations in high school and services offered at colleges.
November
November
Check out resources for specific student populations:
ScholarMatcher: Awesome search tool for low-income/first gen students
The Hundred-Seven and College Equity Index: Excellent resources for Black students
I’m First: Guide for first-generation college students and their families
Campus Pride: Resources for the LGBTQ+ community
Women’s colleges: Seven reasons you should consider a single-sex school
HBCUs, HSIs and TCUs: Essential tips when considering one of these institutions committed to serving underrepresented students
American Indian College Fund: List and descriptions of tribal colleges and universities
AICAD: List of 42 colleges of art and design that allows you to search by major and by region
Lay the groundwork for fee waivers: Have you filled out the free/reduced-school lunch form? If your family qualifies, you’ll be eligible for fee waivers for the SAT/ACT as well as for college applications. This simple step can save you hundreds of dollars.
December
December
If you are enrolled in dual credit classes this in second semester, make online payment by the deadline.
Review PSAT results: You can review not only your scores but also the questions you answered correctly and those you missed.
Compass Guide to Admissions Testing: If you haven’t already, this is the time to map out a testing plan. And remember that 1,800+ U.S. colleges are using test-optional policies for fall 2023 applicants.
Best free test-prep resources:
How to Plan a Fulfilling and Productive Summer (podcast): Heads-up: Some programs have early-application deadlines, so start researching early.
January
January
Start developing your list of target colleges—Identify 10 to 15 colleges of interest with the goal of having several schools at varying levels of selectivity: some "probables" (sometimes referred to as "safety schools") some "match," and some "reach" options. Continue updating this list throughout junior year and at the beginning of senior year.
Research scholarships so you know what to expect next year—Once you are midway through your junior year, it's time to begin searching for more traditional scholarships that are specifically made available to students in their senior year of high school.
Identify high-value colleges: As you work on developing your college list, identify schools that’ll meet 100% of your financial need, institutions with generous merit-aid programs.
Essential Advice for Low-Income/First-Gen Students: Get key tips and resources, including learning about the chance to visit college campuses for free.
AP practice resources: If you’re taking AP exams in May, here’s how to prep.
February
February
Virtual college fairs: There are many opportunities to attend college fairs from home, including sessions that focus on STEM programs and the visual and performing arts. These easy-to-attend virtual events can be a great window into what college is all about.
QuestBridge College Prep Scholars: See if you qualify to apply for this top-notch college admission support program.
Pre-work for your teacher recommendations: Take a look at this form and imagine how your teacher(s) might fill it out. What are your strengths/areas for improvement? What words will come to their mind when they think of you? You’ll request teacher recs in May, so this is a good time to start thinking about these important pieces of the college application process.
Research summer programs that can help you learn more about a college or a topic. Consult the list of opportunities that CFISD has collected.
March
March
Keep building your college list
Register for summer and fall/spring dual credit courses
Meet with your high school counselor to select your senior year courses
Micro-scholarships: It’s never too early to start thinking about how to pay for college. Begin building your RaiseMe profile now.
April
April
Values Exercise (video): Spend some time thinking about your core values by working through this simple exercise. Your answers may help drive how you spend your summer ahead.
How to research colleges without visiting a campus: Learning more about colleges is an exciting and time-intensive process. Make sure to expand your search beyond your local public universities—and use your values as a guide.
Colleges That Change Lives: As you build your college list, consider this set of 44 schools that focus on providing a personalized, student-centered experience. Check out upcoming events.
Think about financial fit: Experiment with the Net Price Calculator to get a rough estimate of what you might likely have to pay for college.
May
May
Make sure you’re excited about all the schools on your college list, not just the reaches. Where You Go Is Not Who You’ll Be is a great read.
Free test prep:- If you’re planning to test in late summer into the fall, take advantage of these resources:
Khan Academy (SAT Free Official SAT Practice Tests | College Board)
SAT Study Group: Consider starting a study group to prepare for your upcoming exams. Even if you’re applying to test-optional schools, you might want a test score for scholarship eligibility.
How to Write a College Essay: Wondering how to get started on your college essays this summer? Read this step-by-step guide, which walks you through the process.
5 Resources and Tips for Getting Scholarships and Financial Aid: These are a great set of tips and resources as you begin your scholarship search. Use this template to keep track of opportunities that might be a good fit.
summer before senior year
summer before senior year
Get organized and kick off your application process: Research the admission requirements and deadlines for schools on your list, and create a spreadsheet to organize information.
How to write a successful Common App Activities List/How to write a college resume: Learn more about these pieces of the application process.
How to use the Common App Additional Information Section: Find out why this optional section can be one of the most important aspects of your application. And think about whether you want to answer the optional COVID related question.
If you’ve excelled academically despite financial challenges, consider applying to QuestBridge or the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Program, and check in with your counselor on the Posse Foundation nomination process.
Create a spreadsheet of all usernames and passwords: Keep important login information here for college applications, applicant portals, and scholarships.
Continue an ongoing dialogue with your parents about how to pay for college.
Continue saving for college
Make sure you've nailed down some #adulting skills like
Using a calendar on your phone to set appointments, reminders, and recurring events
Email (examples are for Gmail)
Scanning on your phone
Thank you to CollegeEssayGuy.com for creating concise month-by-month guides on which much this information is based. Thanks to Get Schooled for creating great video guides for a variety of college-related topics.
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