High School Success Checklists

Student

• Study hard. Build good study habits to keep your grades up.

• Save money. Sign up for a college savings account from Oklahoma’s 529 college savings plan (OK4Saving.org) or continue to add money to an existing account.

• Apply for Oklahoma’s Promise. If you didn’t apply during 8th grade, visit okpromise.org for program requirements and to sign up for this scholarship program. Oklahoma’s Promise helps qualified Oklahoma students gain access to higher education.

• Talk it up. Discuss your plans with your counselor, teachers, family members, or other trusted adults.

• Create a high school plan of study. Develop a high school plan of study that will help prepare you for a career that fits your interests and choose your 10th-grade courses based on it.

• Take the right classes. To be college-bound, your class schedule should contain at least four college-preparatory classes each year. Some schools recommend you take an extra unit in math, an additional unit in lab science, and two units in speech or fine arts (music, art, drama).

• Check it out. Investigate college entrance requirements at OKcollegestart.org.

• Track it. Use the High School Planner found at OKcollegestart.org to keep track of your courses and grades. Invite your counselor to view your online High School Planner to help keep you on track for success. 

• File it away. Create a “my future” file which should contain the following items:

1. Copies of report cards

2. List of awards and honors

3. List of paid or volunteer school, community or extracurricular activities, or other work experience 

4. Skill assessment quizzes and results

• Know high school graduation requirements.

• Volunteer. Give back to your community by volunteering. To be a valedictorian, salutatorian, or an honor graduate in OKCPS a cumulative total of 100 hours is required.

• Think about it. Start thinking about the university, college, or technology center you’d like to attend. Check out the Explore Colleges section on OKcollegestart.org and plan a campus tour.

• Take it to the next level. Investigate honors and Advanced Placement courses to know what’s available for you to enroll in.

• Consider taking the PSAT (for practice only). Check with your counselor to inquire about any associated costs.

• Plan for credit make-up if needed. Make-up credits through summer school or online credit recovery.

Parent / Guardian

• Know grading periods and when to expect progress and report cards.

• Assist your student with the development of a savings plan.

• Obtain information on Oklahoma’s Promise, a scholarship program that helps qualified Oklahoma students gain access to higher education. Apply to Oklahoma’s Promise if your student qualifies.

• Know your student’s teachers and school counselor and communicate

• with them throughout the year.

• Develop a systematic plan of study that will prepare your student for a career that fits his/her interests.

• Review and approve your student’s 10th grade plan of study.

• Investigate college entrance requirements at OKcollegestart.org.

• Familiarize yourself with the High School Planner found at OKcollegestart.org.

• Assist your student in creating a file on activities, honors, work experience, and

• community service.

• Review and understand the requirements for high school graduation.

• Encourage your student to give back to his/her community.

• Know opportunities for career and technical education through technology centers as well as concurrent enrollment, Advanced Placement coursework, testing opportunities, and credit recovery.

Student

• Keep it up. Build good study habits to maintain good grades.

• Save money. Sign up for a college savings account from Oklahoma’s 529 college savings plan (OK4Saving.org) or continue to add money to an existing account.

• Last chance. Don’t miss out on Oklahoma’s Promise. If you didn’t apply during 8th or 9th grade, visit okpromise.org for program requirements and to sign up for this scholarship program. 

• Talk it up. Discuss your plans with your guidance counselor, teachers, family members, or other trusted adults.

• Know what you need. Review what courses you’ll need to take to satisfy high school graduation requirements.

• Take it to the next level. Investigate honors and Advanced Placement courses to know what’s available for you to enroll in.

• File it away. Add to your “my future” file with the following items:

1. Copies of report cards

2. List of awards and honors

3. List of paid or volunteer school, community or extracurricular activities, or other work experience 

4. Skill assessment quizzes and results

• Be active. Continue participating in extracurricular activities and volunteer work. Many admissions officers look for students who actively participate in their school and community. To be a valedictorian, salutatorian, or an honor graduate in OKCPS a cumulative total of 100 volunteer hours is required.

• Prepare for and take the PSAT. For preparation for the National Merit Scholarship. Check with your counselor to inquire about any associated fees.

• Maintain learning. Stay involved in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps.

• Hit the books. Prepare for and take standardized tests like the ACT and SAT.  Visit the Test Prep section at OKcollegestart.org for helpful resources. You may also attend preparation classes or workshops.

• Look into it. You may be able to enroll in college coursework as a junior or senior if you meet certain requirements. Investigate your concurrent enrollment options and check with your counselor for more information.

• Jot it down. Gather information about your post-secondary opportunities such as technology centers, colleges, or the military.

• Consider career plans. Review your high school plan of study to ensure it will prepare you for a career that fits your interests so you can choose your 11th grade courses.

Parent / Guardian

• Know grading periods and when to expect report cards and progress reports.

• Assist your student with the development of a savings plan.

• Obtain information on Oklahoma’s Promise, a scholarship program that helps qualified Oklahoma students gain access to higher education. This is the last year to apply.

• Know your student’s teachers and school counselor and communicate with them throughout the year.

• Review and understand the requirements for high school graduation.

• Develop a systematic plan of study that will prepare your student for a career that fits his/her interests.

• Continue building a file on activities, honors, work experience, and community service.

• Encourage your student to participate in extracurricular activities and to give back to his/her community.

• Check out test dates and registration deadlines (PSAT, ACT, SAT, ASVAB).

• Review and approve your student’s 11th-grade plan of study.

• Review your student’s test results and how they relate to his/her plan of study.

• Clarify and reinforce with your student the necessity of committing to

• post-secondary plans.

• Attend college and career fairs with your student.

• Begin gathering information about career and technology centers, colleges, and the military.

Student

• Keep talking. Continue your conversations with your guidance counselor teachers, family members, or other trusted adults about your plans after high school. Talk with family and friends about their educational choices.

• Take it to the next level. Enroll in honors and Advanced Placement courses.

• Enroll now. Sign up for college credit courses while in high school. Discuss concurrent enrollment options with your counselor.

• See for yourself. Attend a college event in your area as they offer a chance to talk with school representatives. 

• Add it to your calendar. Visit uCanGo2.org to find dates for the ACT, SAT, PSAT, and AP or other honors-level exams being offered. These exams are important college preparation steps.

• Do a thorough review. Ask for a preview of your academic record and profile and evaluate yourself. Look for gaps or low points, and seek advice from your counselor about ways to improve your profile

• Choose an exam. ACT or SAT? Contact the school you plan to attend and ask which test they prefer. Once you decide which exam to take, sign up, and make a note of the date, time, and location.

• Get it. Investigate admission requirements for post-secondary training programs at career and technology schools and/or colleges and universities.

• Psst… remember the PSAT. Register for and take the PSAT exam offered in October.  This score is required for several national scholarships, including the National Merit Scholarship.  

• Pare it down. Narrow your list to three to five schools based on the research you’ve already completed.

• Get financial aid. Start researching your grant, scholarship, and student loan options by checking out the Are You Looking for Money? Booklet in the resources section at UCanGo2.org.

• Talk taxes. Find tax tips for you and your parent(s)/guardian(s) on the Hope Scholarship Tax Credit and Lifetime Learning Tax Credit at IRS.gov.

• Volunteer. Give back to your community by volunteering. To be a valedictorian, salutatorian, or an honor graduate in OKCPS a cumulative total of 100 hours is required.

• Start the process. You and your parent(s)/guardian(s) may want to schedule campus visits during summer vacation so you don’t miss school. However, some high schools consider a campus visit an excused absence, check with your counselor. 

• Repeat testing. Register for the spring ACT and/or SAT tests. You may want to take the exam again over the summer and/or in the fall of your senior year to boost your score.

• Find some money for college. Continue researching financial aid options that are the best fit for you and your family. Continue to contribute to your 529 College Savings Plan (OK4Saving.org) or another savings plan. 

• Keep tabs. Keep updating your “My future” file, which should contain the following items:

1. Copies of report cards

2. Paid, volunteer school community or extracurricular activities, or other work experience

3. Your Tracking my Classes and Achievements worksheet

4. Skill assessment quizzes and results

• Recruit some ambassadors. Ask teachers or other community members to write letters of recommendation for your college admission and scholarship applications.  Think about what you’d like to include in these letters and politely ask those you respect if they’ll help.

• Practice and evaluate. Complete online admission applications by filling out rough drafts without submitting them. Focus on the essay portions of these applications and decide how you would like to present yourself. Don’t forget to mention your activities outside of school. Ask family or friends to review your applications, especially the essays, and provide feedback.

• Apply early. If you have a clear “first choice” school, decide if you’re going to apply for early decision or early action.  Be aware! If you’re accepted for an early decision, you may be committing yourself to attend that school.

• Decide what you like. Explore careers by taking a summer job or internship in your field of interest. 

• Review graduation requirements. Select your 12th grade courses based on what you still need.

• Consider taking the ASVAB.

• Tuition-Free Opportunities. Ask your counselor for information on the Ticket to Rose scholarship program, OKCGo 2.0, or Metro Technology Centers.

Parent / Guardian

• Know your student’s teachers and school counselor and communicate with them throughout the year. Know grading periods and when to expect report cards and progress reports.

• Discuss the plan of study that will prepare your student for a career that fits his/her interests.

• Attend college and career events with your student.

• Review your student’s test results and how they relate to his/her plan of study.

• Continue gathering information about career and technology centers, colleges, and the military.

• Continue to encourage your student to participate in extracurricular activities and to give back to his/her community.

• Continue assisting your student with the development of a savings plan.

• Continue building a file on activities, honors, work experience, and community service.

• Clarify and reinforce with your student the necessity of committing to post-secondary plans.

• Review and approve your student’s 12th-grade plan of study.

Student

• Take action now. Continue to explore opportunities to earn college credit while in high school. Talk to your counselor about concurrent enrollment. 

• Stay on track. Review courses with your counselor to make sure you’re meeting high school graduation and entrance requirements for the schools that interest you.

• Learn more. Attend college events, college planning sessions, and financial and information sessions for answers to your questions.

• Get a PIN. Request a federal Personal Identification Number (PIN) at PIN.ed.gov. This PIN is used throughout the federal aid process, including for completion of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

• Study. Keep making the effort to maintain your grades. These habits will come in handy during your college coursework.

• Keep saving. Continue to plug money into your Oklahoma 529 College Savings Plan (OK4Saving.org) or other savings account.

• Sign up. Even if you've already taken the ACT or SAT, register for the fall ACT and/or SAT tests, you might boost your score! Find test locations and dates at UCanGo2.org

• Consider taking the ASVAB

• Narrow your choices. Many students select three to five schools to apply to, including their dream school, their safety school, and two or three other choices.

• Take a tour. If you haven't already, visit schools that are a good match for your abilities and career interests. Use the tools found on UCanGo2.org.

• Go for free money. Search and apply for as many grants and scholarships as possible. Check out UCanGo2.org to search for scholarships by deadline or category. Be sure to check with local civic organizations or employers for additional scholarship sources.

• Research aid. Check for specific information about college costs and any other financial aid that may be available at UCanGo2.org and in the Are You Looking for Money? Booklet.

• Fill it out. Decide which college(s) you’re interested in attending and submit admission and financial aid applications. Be aware of Deadlines.

• Send it in. If you haven't already done so, make sure your official test scores are being sent to the school(s) to which you’re applying.

• Tuition-Free Opportunities. Ask your counselor for information on the Ticket to Rose scholarship program and OKC Go 2.0.

• Volunteer. Give back to your community by volunteering. To be a valedictorian, salutatorian, or honor graduate a cumulative total of 100 hours is required.

• Talk taxes. Make sure you and your parent(s) have completed your income tax forms as soon after January 1st as possible in anticipation of completing financial aid applications, some of which have very early deadlines.

• Check-in. Contact the admission office at the school(s) you may attend to make sure they’ve received your information. 

• Look for the SAR. Review the information provided on your Student Aid Report (SAR), which is sent to you after you file the FAFSA, for accuracy. Any inaccurate items need to be corrected and returned for processing.

• Call to confirm. Contact the financial aid office at the school(s) you’d like to attend to make sure they’ve received your information.

• Take the test. You've studied hard, so take the exams for any Advanced Placement you are enrolled in.

• Ask for it. Request that your high school sends your final transcript to the school(s) to which you applied. 

• Continue to update your “my future” file.

• Keep an eye open. Watch your mailbox or email for FAFSA results and/or financial and award letters. Many colleges email their award letters. You may want to check with the school you plan to attend and ask how this information will be sent.

• Sign and send. Promptly accept your financial award letter, if required. You don't have to accept all loan funds offered to you, only borrow what you need!

• Decisions, decisions, decisions. If you’ve been accepted to multiple schools, make a decision and notify the school you plan to attend as soon as possible. You may be required to pay a nonrefundable deposit to secure your spot. Most schools need a decision by May 1st.

• Waiting game. You may be placed on a waiting list for an opening at the school. If so, contact the school to let them know you’re still interested. 

• Pay attention to the MPN. If you’ve been offered a federal student loan and you need it to pay for school, complete the Master Promissory Note (MPN) to accept it. If you have questions, contact your educational institution or the Department of Education’s Direct Loan Servicing department at 800-848-0979.

Parent / Guardian

• Know your student’s teachers and school counselor and communicate with them throughout the year.

• Re-check graduation requirements.

• Attend career and college events with your student and discuss career options.

• Know grading periods and when to expect report cards and progress reports.

• Check out test dates and registration deadlines (PSAT, ACT, SAT, ASVAB). 

• Pick up various forms related to obtaining financial aid (scholarships, grants, and student loans). 

• Check due dates on scholarships and other sources of financial aid. 

• Know college admission application deadlines.

• Learn more about OKCGo 2.0, Ticket to Rose, or Metro Technology Centers.

• Check student’s completed applications, resume development, and interviewing skills.

• Complete the necessary applications as soon as a decision has been reached about which post-secondary training institution your student will attend.

• Complete all financial aid forms as soon as possible.