High School

FRESHMAN YEAR - GRADE 9

• Talk with your parents and school counselor about future plans. Put your plan in writing and update yearly.

• Review college entrance requirements.

• Take challenging classes to prepare you for college and/or your career goals.

• Attend school each day and prepare daily for your classes so that your grades are the best.

• Grade point average (GPA) and class rank are calculated beginning in grade 9.

• Remember that honors/AP/IB classes earn extra quality points.

• Explore careers (through job shadowing, interest inventories, and internships).

• Attend college fairs with your parents. The National College Fair/Career Expo is usually held in the spring.

• Participate in extracurricular activities. Keep a record of them.

SOPHOMORE YEAR - GRADE 10

• Review your selection of high school courses, keeping in mind your post-secondary plans.

• Talk with your parents and school counselor about your future goals. Begin to think about choices of college majors.

• Initiate inquiry into possible careers.

• Do well in all courses to maintain or improve your GPA and class rank.

• Take the PSAT (Preliminary SAT) or the PLAN.

• Attend college fairs with your parents.(i.e. National College Fair/Career Expo.)

• Continue involvement in school and community activities and keep a record of them.

• Select challenging courses for your junior year during spring registration. Consider taking Advanced Placement courses in your best academic areas.

• Participate in a summer enrichment program.

JUNIOR YEAR - GRADE 11

• Renew your commitment to take challenging courses. If you have not yet taken a world language, it is now time to begin one. Most colleges require a minimum of two years of the same language and recommend that one be taken in the senior year.

• Take the PSAT again. The PSAT/NMSQT is the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship, the National Achievement Scholarship, and the National Hispanic Scholar Recognition Program. You can qualify for these scholarship opportunities only by taking the PSAT in your junior year.

• Make a list of your abilities, interests, needs and goals, and explore your college and career options with your parents and school counselor.

• Make an initial list of colleges and careers that interest you and seek out information about them:

    • Use the Internet or Naviance
    • Attend National College Fair/Career Expo in spring.
    • Interview people who have attended colleges in which you are interested.
    • Visit prospective colleges.
    • Check college web sites for specific entrance requirements (tests, courses, timeline).
    • Consider a work-based learning opportunity (co-op and internships).
    • Sign up at school to talk with college representatives as they visit your school.

• In March, May, or June take the SAT or ACT and request that the scores be sent to colleges. Registration information is available at ACT.org and College Board.

• In May/June take SAT Subject Tests if required by colleges you're considering.

• Investigate sources of financial aid (scholarships, grants, and loans). There is a wealth of resources available on line.

• Take Advanced Placement/IB examinations in May if you are enrolled in those courses.

• If you are a potential college athlete, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center. Information is available in your school’s Student Services department.

• Plan your senior year schedule to include the remaining courses you need for graduation and college admission.

• Continue participation in school and community activities; volunteer for community service.

• Investigate pre-college and enrichment programs for the summer or secure a part-time summer job in your area of career interest.

• Begin preparing your high school resume and essays for college and scholarship applications. Visit colleges you are interested in attending

SENIOR YEAR - GRADE 12

• Take classes that will best prepare you for college level work. Remember, most colleges recommend that you take a math and a world language course in your senior year.

• Meet with your school counselor to update your list of post secondary options and narrow your college list down to five.

• If applying to a four-year college for early decision, submit your applications in October or November. Try to submit all applications to four-year colleges by December 1. Meet all deadlines.

• Have an official transcript sent to all colleges to which you are applying. Transcripts are sent only when you request them.

• Attend fall college fairs; continue to meet with college representatives who come to your school.

• Take the SAT/ACT again in October or November. Take SAT Subject Tests if required by your choice of colleges.

• Visit colleges; teacher workdays are good times for these visits.

• If you did not participate in a work-based learning opportunity last year, consider one now.

• If you plan to attend a community college, begin by January to complete the admissions form, apply for financial aid, have an official transcript mailed, take the placement tests, and make an appointment with your community college program counselor.

• As soon as possible, complete the FAFSA and other required financial aid forms.

• In January request that 1st semester grades be sent to those colleges requiring them.

• Avoid “senioritis” — stay focused on your course work.

• Respond to college offers of admission and scholarship by May 1. Notify all colleges to which you have been accepted of your final decision.

• Submit required deposits and make plans to take any required placement tests.

• Take Advanced Placement examinations in May if you are enrolled in those courses.

• Request that a final transcript be sent to the college you plan to attend.

Graduate!

You can also find the high school timeline on page 18 & 19 of the CMS High School Planning Guide.