Grade Level To Dos
GrownFlown_CollgeTimeline-3.pdfMiddle School
Start Now: Middle School is the perfect time to begin thinking about your future. Think about the kind of life you want to have or what you want to be. Almost every job requires education after high school, so it is a good idea to start thinking about college now.
Challenge Yourself: Take courses that matter! In addition to your academic core courses of English, Math, History, Science, and Foreign Language, you may want to consider courses that improve your computer and keyboarding skills. Many school districts offer high school courses like Algebra I, Geometry, and Spanish I to 7th and 8th graders. Don't be afraid to tackle harder courses. The more you challenge yourself now, the easier high school will be, and the more opportunities you will create for yourself.
Develop Good Habits: Get into a daily routine of studying...even when you don't have homework! Try to always be reading a book. Reading a chapter a day is a great habit and you will be surprised at how many books you can finish in a year!
Stay Healthy and Alert: Eat breakfast every day and set a regular bedtime. Breakfast and at least 9 hours of sleep will give you the energy to concentrate in your classes and to excel.
Reach Out: Everyone can use a helping hand and an encouraging voice now and then. Talk to your guidance counselor, your favorite teacher, your coach, or anyone who can help you reach your goals.
Don't Delay: Early planning and preparation for college is the key to success. If you are in 7th or 8th grade, go online to The Florida Shines Website at https://www.floridashines.org for a copy of the College and Career Planner which will help keep you on track for high school graduation, scholarships, and college admission. Note that the high school graduation requirements are the state requirements NOT the SCPS graduation requirements.
9th
1.Take the Right Courses: Make sure your schedule includes the college preparatory courses you need for college admission. Do not be afraid to take courses that challenge you.
2. Start Strong: Getting off to a good start early in your academic career sets the pattern for your future success. Give studying your maximum effort! No one has ever said that they studied too much for a test.
3. Get Involved: Participate in a club or activity. Volunteer in your community. Make a difference! You would be surprised how much impact one person can have on another person or community.
4. Look at Colleges: Go online and explore college websites. Look at all the options...big schools, small schools, schools nearby, schools faraway. Attend local college fairs with your family. Make a point to talk to friends who come home from college during holidays and breaks.
5. Stay on Path: Review your electronic College and Career Planner. If you did not start one in middle school, create one online at https://www.floridashines.org
6. Maximize Your Summer: Look into jobs and/or internships. Seek extra help in challenging academic areas. Explore special summer programs at your high school or local college. Read, read, read...not just the books on your required summer reading
10th
Stay Focused: Keep working hard on your academics. Don't be distracted from your primary goal, preparing yourself for college!
Stay Involved: Consider becoming a leader in your chosen club or activity. Don't be afraid to branch out and try something new.
Register for the PSAT or PLAN: The PSAT or PLAN are national tests given in the fall to help prepare you for the SAT and ACT that you will be taking in the future for college admission. The results can also be used to identify your academic strengths and weaknesses. Make sure you meet with your counselor to discuss the results.
Use the Web: Start looking at college websites more closely. Imagine yourself going through the admissions process. Find out information on admission requirements and costs. Sign up to receive more information from the schools you like.
Review Your Schedule: Make sure you are still on track for high school graduation and college admission. Talk to your guidance counselor about your future coursework at your sophomore credit check (usually in November) and don't be afraid to take on challenging courses.
A Summer of Preparation: Don't get lazy. Search out jobs and internships. Look for special programs at your high school or local colleges. Read, read, and read some more. Increasing your vocabulary will help you more than you know (comprehend, realize, grasp, discern, distinguish...well, you get the point). Go online and begin prepping for the SAT and ACT. Both test companies have online information that will help you prepare. See CollegeBoard.com or ACT.org.
11th
Grades Are Key: Don't lose your academic focus. All your high school grades are important and you should never short change your study time for anything else. Show college admissions officers you are ready for college!
Test and Test Again: When school starts, register to take the PSAT/NMSQT given in October. This test is your shot at national recognition and scholarships from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. Students who do well on this test are also heavily recruited by all the top schools in the country. In the Spring, register to take the SAT and/or ACT. Some students prefer one test more than the other, so you should try both to see which one fits you best. Registration deadlines are usually one month before the date of the test. Since almost all colleges use your highest test scores for admission, it's a good idea to take the SAT and/or ACT more than once.
Narrow Down Your Choices: Pick your favorite colleges and research their application deadlines. Many colleges want you to apply early in your senior year. You might have to complete applications and essays during the summer to be ready for early fall deadlines!
Review Your Senior Schedule: Update your College and Career planner and make sure you are on track to graduate from high school and satisfy all scholarship and admission requirements. Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your schedule and your future college plans at your Junior credit check (usually in October).
Summer Visitation: Try to visit as many of your top college choices as you can. If you can't do it physically, do it virtually, by looking at everything you possibly can online. Seek out interesting jobs and internships. Continue reading. Prep for the SAT or ACT. Finish at least a first draft of any college essays that might be required for your chosen schools.
12th:
1. Choose your schools
2. Visit your schools
3. Complete your applications (the earlier the better- my rule of thumb is you should be finished by October 31st!
4. Secure your recommendation letters early---make sure you ask early so everyone has time to write you a letter
5. Send your official documents- for transcripts see Mrs. Mendez in the records department and fill out a transcript request. Please allow for one week for electronic delivery of your transcripts. Hard copies of your transcripts may be picked up in 24 hours from the time of the request. Official SAT and ACT scores must be ordered from College Board and ACT. Please allow them time to deliver your scores and meet the college's deadlines.
6. Scholarships- WROR-TV and the college room (orange binder and filing cabinet on the left side when you walk in) will have the most up to date scholarship information. Visit the college room at least once a week to stay on top of the latest scholarship announcements. As you earn scholarship dollars please be sure to report the name, type and amount to Dr. Williams in guidance.
7. FAFSA- Every student must complete the FAFSA form to be eligible for ANY aid, even scholarships. This form may be filled out as early as January using your parent's tax information. The form is available at www.fafsa.gov
8. Bright Futures- The application opens December 1st, but it is suggested students complete the application in January along with the FAFSA to learn about all aid available. Also, you must have your community service hours and other requirements met by the END Of your senior year. Guidance asks for community service hours to be turned in by May 1st to allow for processing. Test scores from the June SAT and ACT will be considered, but the Bright Futures application must be completed before the graduation date.
Detailed info at: https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/PDF/BFPrivateAwards.pdf
Bright Futures Application at: https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org/SAPHome/SAPHome?url=home
9. Senior Exit Survey- It is required of every senior student in Seminole County to complete the senior exit survey. Instructions will be distributed after Spring Break. Students will not be cleared for graduation if the survey is not completed.
10. GRADUATION- at UCF arena. Please make sure all obligations are taken care of prior to graduation rehearsal.