August

• Update your student résumé to include freshman year activities and accomplishments.
• Student Athletes: Start reviewing the information on naia.org or ncaa.org for eligibility requirements, if you want to play collegiate sports, take the steps necessary in increase your eligibility and to market your athletic abilities to college coaches.
• If undocumented, please see csac.ca.gov/undocumented-dreamer-students more information on your options for college funding.
• Make sure this fall’s course curriculum is as rigorous as you can handle. You should take Geometry (if you haven’t already done so), English, World History, a Foreign Language, and a College Prep/Honors science class.
• Plan to meet with your counselor at least every six months to ensure you are on target for graduating high school and fulfilling college admission requirements. 
• Earn top grades this year to have the highest possible GPA and class rank.
• Plan to be a leader on campus. Leadership is one of the most valuable student qualifications sought by college admission officers.

September

• Join CSF as an Honorary member.  Joining organizations that require student members to earn excellent grades will look good on your college applications and resumes. See your counselor for instructions on membership.
• Find and/or focus your extracurricular interests: A high level of involvement and accomplishment in a few activities is more important than participating in numerous activities on a surface level. Be a leader.

• Go to Kern County College Night - remember to be professional in all interactions with college and university representatives.
• Sign up for the PSAT – see your counselor for availability and details.  The SAT is not needed for college admission in CA, but private and out of state schools still require it.  Also, taking the PSAT will let you practice for the test in Junior year that qualifies for the Nation Merit Scholarship and you can release your score so colleges can recruit you.

October

• Visit with college representatives who travel to your high school this fall. Ask questions to determine if their school may be a good fit for you.
• Take the PSAT if you are interested - The SAT is not needed for college admission in CA, but private and out of state schools still require it.  Also, taking the PSAT will let you practice for the test in Junior year that qualifies for the Nation Merit Scholarship and you can release your score so colleges can recruit you.

• Keep thinking about your interests and possible college majors. Complete CollegeMatch on Schoolinks or go to bigfuture.org.  

• Continue to develop a relationship with your counselor so he/she can get to know you and your interests.
• Log on to Studentvue (synergy) to check out your grades and make improvements if necessary.

November

• Research the types of colleges and universities you may wish to attend and discuss college costs with your parent(s) Go to bigfuture.org or Schoolinks. 

• Learn about financial aid. Merit-based scholarships are awarded based on your GPA, so do well in your coursework. bigfuture.org.
• Research college summer enrichment programs for high school students. If you find a summer program of interest, start the application process next month.  
• Continue checking your grades in Studentvue. Remember a 3.0 GPA opens up opportunities for college admissions and financial aid.

December

• Do well on your final exams this semester. Earn the impressive grades needed for admission to college and to receive merit-based scholarships.
• Investigate college summer enrichment programs for high school students. Start filling out application materials for programs you wish to attend.

January

• Update your student résumé. Include all accomplishments and activities from the fall semester.
• Join CSF. See your high school counselor for instructions on membership.
• Study hard this spring semester to earn top grades so you can have the highest possible GPA and class rank.
• Continue to develop respectful, hard-working relationships with school staff.
• Continue participating in extracurricular activities (inside and outside of school). Dedicate yourself to a few extracurricular activities and work toward leadership positions. Leadership is one of the most valuable student qualifications sought by college admission officers.

February

• It’s never too soon to begin searching for careers, colleges and universities. Think about your ideal career, college or university and its characteristics; Go to Schoolinks, bigfuture.org, or cacareerzone.org.
• Continue checking your grades in Studentvue. Remember a 3.0 or higher will open up opportunities for admission and funding for college.
• Begin registering for next year’s junior level courses. Make sure to follow your four-year plan for high school graduation and college preparation. Sign up for the most challenging curriculum you can handle. See your counselor for registration instructions and deadlines.

March

• Think about job shadowing. Contact professionals in your area that will permit you to accompany them for a day to observe what they do. Professionals can offer valuable insights about careers and what it takes to get a job in that field.
• Research college factors important to you to help research colleges that best fit your needs bigfuture.org can help you narrow what factors are important to you.
• Start thinking about summer activities – Find a job or internship, provide volunteer service, take an advanced credit course, a community college class, or perform another activity to build your student résumé.

April

• If the organizations and clubs you are involved with hold elections for next year’s leadership positions, become a candidate and run for office.
• Continue to build hard-working, respectful relationships with teachers and counselor(s) through the entire semester.
• Research opportunities for summer employment, internships, volunteering, or coursework. Use summer months wisely to develop and improve your student résumé.  Go to Schoolinks for information on creating a résumé.

• Continue to research career options and consider possible college majors. Go to Schoolinks, bigfuture.org, or cacareerzone.org for more information.
• If you’re interested in attending a military academy after high school graduation, request information to learn about that academy and their admission requirements. Go to the career center for more information. 
• Continue to study hard to earn top grades. High GPA’s open college admission doors.

May

• Sign up for summer activities – Find a job or internship, provide volunteer service, take an advanced credit or community college course, or enroll in college summer enrichment program.

• Do well on your final exams. Earn the impressive grades needed to be admitted to college and to earn merit-based scholarships. For scholarship search try these sites fastweb.com- Bold.org - Scholarships.com - bigfuture.org- Appily.com- Raise.me  Remember, never pay or give out your personal information.  If the offer is to good to be true, check it out with your counselor.

• Update your student résumé to include sophomore year activities and accomplishments. 
• If you want to play collegiate sports, take the steps necessary to increase your eligibility and market your athletic abilities. Go to naia.org or ncaa.org.
• Continue to think about college majors of interest throughout the summer. Conduct research on possible careers that may spark interest in a specific major. Go to Schoolinks, bigfuture.org, or cacareerzone.org.

• Consider taking a summer road trip to visit college campuses this coming summer. 
• Parents - Plan to help your student with the college preparation and admission process over the next two years. Get informed and help with the important decisions ahead. Go to bigfuture.org for more information on college planning, admissions requirements, and college searches.