Make Sure You are Following These Steps Each Year

Find your Grade Level and start working!

9th Grade - Freshman Year

Meet your counselor.
Review requirements for graduation and college entrance requirements on the high school website.
Make a four year plan and make any needed adjustments.
Talk with teachers and community members about career interests.
Participate in extracurricular such as clubs and sports.
Start a list of all jobs, volunteering services, club activities and create a resume.
Remember that class rank and grade point average is calculated beginning in ninth grade.
Realize that weighted courses are good for college preparation and for increasing your grade point average.
Create a College Foundation account. www.cfnc.org. Write down your username and password!

10th Grade - Sophomore Year

Schedule an appointment with your counselor to discuss credits earned/needed and future goals.
Continue to talk with teachers and community members about career interests.
Participate in extracurricular activities, especially those related to career interests.
Check into internship opportunities, job shadowing and apprenticeship options.
Consider visiting college campuses and gather information on Career and College Promise options at MTCC
Plan ahead for taking Career and College Promise program by taking the placement test when offered at MHS in the Fall or Spring.
Take the Pre-ACT - offered at no charge to all Sophomores at MHS
Take PSAT in October for National Merit consideration and use the score report to study for the SAT
Update account at www.cfnc.org – add any information about award and honors along with extracurricular activities.

11th Grade - Junior Year

Meet with your counselor to review graduation progress.
Continue to pursue career interests.
Continue participation in extracurricular activities and leadership positions.
Apply for courses at McDowell Technical Community College during registration period at MHS
Prepare for and practice interviewing skills.
Keeping adding to your resume.
Take community college placement test (if not already taken).
Take PSAT in October for National Merit consideration and use the score report to study for the SAT
Take the ACT in March – offered at no charge to all Juniors at MHS
Take the SAT/ACT at least once during the year. MHS will offer in October, November, and May.
Check college websites for specific requirements and deadlines for submitting applications.
Update account at www.cfnc.org
Visit college campuses – you are allowed 1 absence during your junior year to visit colleges. You must make an appointment with the admissions office and bring back a note from them to excuse the absence.
Organize a notebook on post-high school opportunities. Explore CFNC.org – you can take virtual tours of college campuses and complete career inventories.
Attend parent/student college fairs and financial aid workshops.
Search for summer enrichment opportunities that will allow you to explore your interests, improve your academic skills, and ultimately give you a competitive edge on your college applications. The counseling office has information on programs available in our region.
Get to know your counselors! You will be asking them for recommendations during your senior year!

12th Grade - Senior Year

Meet with your counselor to review graduation progress.
Continue to pursue career interests.
Continue participation in extracurricular activities and leadership positions.
Continue with and complete courses at MTCC.
- Take placement test (if needed).
Visit college campuses
Create/update resume and practice for job interviews.
Check counseling website weekly for scholarship possibilities.
Plan ahead for recommendation requests.
College Application Week - TBD
Complete the FAFSA in October
FAFSA Day - at MHS in October
Take the SAT - Aug 26th and Oct 7th
Take the ACT - Oct 28th
Complete college applications.
Bring a copy of your acceptance letter and all scholarship money offered - to your counselor.
Complete request for final transcript to be sent to your chosen college.

McDowell High School, 600 McDowell High Dr. Marion, NC 28752 (P) 828-652-7920 (F) 828-652-1101

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