Welcome to the virtual college counseling office! Please use this site to explore some helpful links & information about major steps in the college-going process. As always, please let me know if you have any questions! 

Four-Year Checklist for 9-12

9th Grade:

o  Start talking about college with your parents, friends, teachers, and counselor.

o  create a “Four-Year Plan” for your high school years

o  Create profile on CFNC and utilize their helpful tools

o  Explore colleges, entrance requirements, majors, and careers (check out CFNC, BigFuture,  and MyNextMove websites)

o  Keep track of accomplishments, awards/honors, extra-curricular activities, and volunteer work.

o  Get involved! Find a few things you enjoy doing and pursue those passions over the next four years. Colleges like to see depth and upward trajectory in a few key areas rather than mere involvement in a “bunch of things”

o  How are you spending your summer? Talk with your parents and counselor about volunteering or educational programs that align with your interests.

o  Be the best student you can be NOW! You will want to look back on your four years proud of what you accomplished in and out of the classroom. Do not kick yourself later for not taking high school seriously from the start.

10th Grade:

o  Give full-effort on practice college entrance exams such as pre-ACT or CLT10 to prepare you for the real thing.

o  Continue pushing your schoolwork to the next level. A strong academic record will prepare you well for success in college and beyond.

o  Stay involved! Focus in on a few extra-curriculars and work towards growth and leadership.

o  Create preliminary college list. Research and visit colleges that interest you. Sign up for information on their admissions pages and follow them on social media.

o  Go on college tours.

o  Consider summer programs in addition to jobs and community service.

o  Prepare for ACT and SAT to be taken Junior year. Buy a book and/or use online program such as Khan Academy, PrepFactory, etc.

11th Grade:

o  Continue to prep for state-required ACT which will be taken for free here at MCA in the Spring. No registration required. You can sign up on the ACT website to re-take if you want to increase your score.

o  Sign up and take the most challenging classes you can handle.

o  Explore the scholarship pages of colleges you are considering so you can plan ahead for any major scholarships.

o  Narrow your list of colleges to include a few colleges within your academic profile (grades, test scores), one reach school with low acceptance rates if you would like, and perhaps at least one safe choice with high acceptance rates. You can use the CFNC college search too or the CLT “find a college” list to help with this.

o  Select courses for your senior year. Colleges will still consider the strength of your schedule, even without any grades available (when your transcripts are sent to colleges only grades through Junior year will be included, but your senior schedule will be listed)

o  Take a second look at colleges of interest. Call ahead for appointments with admissions and financial aid offices. Consider an over-night visit if possible.

o  If you go on interviews or visits, don’t forget to send thank-you notes.

Summer Between 11th and 12th Grades:

o  Work on applications and essays as much as possible in advance. Applications go live August 1st

o  Strongly consider applying Early Action.  This requires you to submit your applications early, typically between October 1st and December 1st, but you get an earlier response from the college.

o  Continue to take time to work, volunteer, attend a summer educational programs, or take summer dual-enrollment courses through CCP at Surry.

o  Prep to re-take ACT, SAT, or CLT if needed.

12th Grade:

August/September

o  Use Common App or CFNC accounts for as many of the schools on your list as possible

o  Re-take ACT, SAT, or CLT if needed (Be mindful of Early Action deadlines)

o  Apply for scholarships

o  Chat with college advisor about your plans

o  College list should be mostly solidified and deadlines for these schools should be organized.

October

o  Finish College Applications (seek editing help from college advisor or a teacher!)

o  RDS. Residency Determination is a necessary step to proving NC residency and guaranteeing in-state tution rates at UNC schools or community colleges.

o  Optional: Fill out CSS Profile for more non-federal aid if school utilizes it (Davidson, Duke, Elon, Chapel Hill, WFU)

November

o  Submit applications.

o  College Application Week (one week in November a small number of NC schools will waive application fee)

December

o    FAFSA. Opens December 1st now. Fill out ASAP. Federal aid awards made until funds deplete.

o  Early Action decision notifications sent.

o  Enjoy Christmas vacation!

January

o  Regular decision deadlines.

o  Submit mid-year transcript if needed by colleges of choice

o  Finish second semester strong. Colleges can and will withdraw your admission offer if grades/behavior become an issue. 

February

o  Scholarships! Consider local scholarships sent via email. Deadlines are strict!

March

o  Attend “accepted student days”

o  College Acceptances (celebrate the good news with your teachers!)

o  Don’t lose heart at non-acceptances. You have much to offer and experience wherever you go. You could do a well at a number of colleges, not just ONE.

April

o  Pay attention to emails from colleges

o  Compare financial aid offerings

May

o  Submit deposit and make decision by MAY 1st. Notify other schools of decision.

o  Have school send final transcript to your final choice.

o  Graduate! You did it!