9th Grade College Planning Timeline
9th Grade College Planning Timeline
"So you’re interested in college. That’s great! Figuring out how to get there can seem like a long trip on a dark and curvy road. Have no fear; we’re here to help you find your way!
1. Start thinking, studying, and planning!
As early as middle school, you can start thinking about where you might want to go to college and what you might want to study. Practice good study habits. Ask teachers for help. Explore costs and how you might get scholarships or save money. And think about volunteering or participating in other activities. These kinds of things can help you get into college!
2. Check out your options.
There are tons of different colleges and universities out there to choose from. Check out good options all across the country and right here in Texas. Pay attention to what they’re looking for. You might find that volunteering or taking a certain class will help you when you apply! For example, most universities require Algebra II for admissions, and the TEXAS Grant financial aid program requires that students complete at least one course beyond Algebra II.
3. Take your college entrance exams.
In or around your 11th-grade year, you’ll need to take college entrance exams such as the SAT or ACT. These exams are an important part of the college application process. Find out more here. Tip: study for these exams like you would for any other test! You can study on your own, with friends, or with the help of a tutor or test-prep company.
4. Complete your applications.
Start thinking about your college applications early, and plan to begin working on them as early as the summer before you start your senior year. Remember, they take time to get ready! Check the schools you’re interested in for their deadlines and requirements. Some schools have their own applications, some use the Common Application, and in Texas, most use the ApplyTexas application.
5. College is an investment. Figure out how you’ll pay.
Check with your family, talk to your school counselor or adviser, and look for scholarships at the schools you’re applying to, in your community, and nationwide. Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in October of your 12th-grade year. The FAFSA tells you if you qualify for federal student loans and even grants (that’s money you don’t have to pay back).
6. Start your journey!
Pack your bags and head out to the college of your choice. Go make your plans a reality!" Resource: Map MyGrad.com
By Peterson's Staff updated on Monday, January 28, 2013
At this stage in the game, you’re laying the foundation for your high school career. This is a time to establish your academic and extracurricular credentials. You should also begin to explore options for your career or further education.
Meet your school counselor.
Your counselor is ready and willing to help you make sense of your college and career options. As soon as you can, set up a meeting to talk about your plans for high school and the future.
Get involved.
Extracurricular activities (both school- and non-school-sponsored) are an important part of high school. Make the effort to get involved with groups, clubs, or teams that interest you. These activities are fun and make you a well-rounded student.
Pick the right mix of classes.
Make sure you’re enrolled in the appropriate college-prep or tech-prep classes and that you’re taking key core requirements, such as English, math, science, history, and a foreign language.
Make the grade.
Get off to a good start with your grades because they will impact your GPA and class rank. Although college seems like a long way off right now, grades really do count toward college admission and scholarships.
Explore your interests and possible careers.
Discuss your skills and interests with your guidance counselor and take advantage of Career Day opportunities at your school.
Consider a college savings plan.
Talk to your parents about planning for college expenses. If your family already has a savings plan, continue to add to it. If not, now is a great time to start saving for college. Your parents can use our financial planning calculator to help them assess their current savings situation and plan for the future.
Build your credentials.
Keep track of academic and extracurricular awards, community service achievements, and anything else you participate in, so it’ll be easier to remember later. It’ll come in handy when you want to highlight your accomplishments—such as when you’re filling out college applications or creating a resume.
Start learning about college.
Look at the college information available in your counselor’s office and school and public libraries. Use the Internet to check out college Web sites. Use our college search and view college profiles. You may even want to start a list of colleges that might interest you.
Begin to get a feel for college life.
Visiting relatives or friends who live on or near a college campus is a great way to get a sense of what college is like. Check out the dorms, go to the library and student center, and walk around the campus. Don’t worry yet about where you want to go—just get a feel for college in general.
Make summer count.
There are plenty of ways to have fun and build your credentials during the summer, such as volunteering, getting a job, or signing up for an enrichment program.