Checklists & Timelines for Each Grade Level

AUGUST

• Think about what you want to do after graduation. Do you plan to get a full-time job, join the military, or enter an educational program at a technical school, two or four-year college? If further education is one of your options, consider which type of college or technical school is right for you (two or four-year, large or small, public or private, near home or far away).

• Visit schools and narrow down your choices. Visit schools’ websites for information on course catalogs, admission applications, housing, and financial aid. Use this to help you stay organized.

• If your ACT and/or SAT scores need improving, register to take the exam again. If you have not taken any admissions tests, register online now!

SEPTEMBER

• Make a list of five to ten schools you like the most.

• Take a college tour. Set up some time to go visit the schools you are interested in.

• Revise and update your school list based on visits.

• Complete applications well before stated deadlines. Be sure to request for an official transcript to be sent to each school where you apply. 

  1. 1. 1. 1. • Click here for a list of college application deadlines. Be sure to CONFIRM DATES with the school's website directly.

• Many schools have limited housing so apply early. Each school has its own application.

• Keep copies of all forms you send.

• Start contacting people to write letters of recommendation. Be sure to contact anyone writing a recommendation letter at least two weeks prior to the date the letter is needed. Allow a few extra days for mailing.

• Get information on scholarship requirements for the schools that interest you.

  1. 1. 1. 1. • Check out these other scholarship options

• Begin working on your resume.

• Research careers and determine what type of training or education you need to qualify for careers that interest you.

• Talk with recruiters from all branches of the military so you can compare the programs they offer. 

OCTOBER

• As early as October 1, complete and submit the FAFSA at fafsa.ed.gov. You will use your parents’ tax information to apply for any state and federal grants or supplemental loans.

• Complete the request for your FSA ID in order to electronically sign your FAFSA.

• Set up campus visits at the top three or four schools of your choice. Be sure to meet with departmental advisors, students, and financial aid officers and complete interviews.

• Continue to complete applications. Don’t forget to request a transcript!

• Read through our section about finding scholarships and start applying.

• Complete any additional scholarship requirements necessary for each particular school or organization.

• ROTC scholarship forms must be filled out and the required recommendation forms must be distributed to the appropriate people.

• Narrow down the type of job you are interested in and continue to work on your resume.

NOVEMBER

• Complete your admission testing (SAT/ACT) and college applications. Be sure that all necessary documents have been received by the school’s admissions office prior to the stated deadline. Allow time for mailing!

• Continue to obtain, complete and send scholarship applications.

• Now that you have met with the military recruiters and compared their programs, choose which one or two best fit your needs. See these recruiters again and get very specific when asking them questions.

• Watch out for admissions and scholarship deadlines! Some are as early as December 1st.

DECEMBER

• Check on the status of your application for admission.

• Keep in touch with your military recruiter.

JANUARY

• Continue the scholarship application process. Be sure you meet all deadlines.

FEBRUARY

• Request transcripts to be sent to the schools to which you have applied.

• If you are enrolled in AP classes, register for your AP exams.

• Check the area you live in for  local scholarships. Local scholarships offered vary widely. Not all are based on financial need or academic excellence. There are several for students planning to attend a technical school and many are available to students entering a two-year school.

MARCH

• Review acceptance letters and financial award packages. Make your final decision on the school you want to attend and submit your deposit.

• Notify other schools that you will not attend.

• Complete local scholarship applications and return to the counseling office before the stated deadline.

• Keep in touch with military representatives concerning the status of your ROTC application.

• Keep working in all your classes. Slacking off could keep you from graduating! Pay close attention to your attendance as well.

APRIL

• Watch for replies regarding scholarships, awards, and other sources of financial aid for which you have applied.

• If you have not already done so, reply to the school you have decided to attend. Let the other institutions that have accepted you know that you will not be attending.

• Be sure you are keeping your grades up and watching your attendance.

MAY

• Write thank you notes for scholarships and awards received.

• Be sure to provide your scholarship donor(s) with your contact information and the name and address of the school you will attend.

• Stay current on all graduation information and procedures.

• Apply for that full-time job or a summer job if you need only temporary employment.

• Complete a request for your final transcript to be sent to the school you will be attending.

• Keep working in your classes until the last test is completed.

• HAPPY GRADUATION!

August:

• • Obtain schedules and forms for the SAT, ACT, and PSAT exams.

September:

• • Register for the PSAT exam offered in October. Remember that when you take the PSAT in your junior year, the scores will count toward the National Merit Scholarship Program (and it is good practice for the SAT).

October 

• • Take the PSAT. Narrow your list of colleges to include a few colleges with requirements at your current GPA, a few with requirements above your current GPA, and at least one with requirements below your GPA.  Start researching your financial aid options as well.

  • Begin scheduling interviews (if needed) with admissions counselors. If possible, schedule tours of the school grounds on the same days.  

December:

• • Depending on the results of your PSAT, you may want to consider signing up for an SAT or ACT test.

Spring Semester

January:

• • Take campus tours online or in person to further narrow your list of colleges to match your personality, GPA, and test scores.

February:

• • Register for the April ACT and/or the May SAT tests. Find out each college’s deadlines for applying for admission and which tests to take. Make sure your test dates give colleges ample time to receive test scores. It is a good idea to take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring to allow you time to review your results and retake the exams in the fall of your senior year, if necessary.

March:

• • Register to take the April ACT and May SAT.

April:

• • Take the April ACT test.

  • Discuss post high school plans with parents/guardians.

  • Gather information about careers and training.

  • Gather information from school’s web sites (four yearcolleges usually end in .edu; i.e. www.utexas.edu or www.tamu.edu) Research course catalogs, descriptive material, and/or financial aid information from post-secondary schools.

  • Identify the characteristics of a college that matter to you – size, location, cost, academic rigor, social environment, and diversity, for example. Go online to specific colleges' websites to learn more information.

• • Work up a list of schools to visit during the summer (or in the fall) with your parents. It's best to plan to be on campus while schools are in session if you can, so that you can visit classes and talk to students and professors. 

May:

• • Take AP and/or SAT exams.

  • Register to take the TSI test if you are taking dual credit classes next year as a senior.  

  • NCAA Registration is required to participate in Division I or Division II college athletics. Register at www.ncaa.org

Summer Between Junior and Senior Years

• • Take the SAT and/or ACT tests, if you haven’t already.

  • Look for chances to talk to college students who are home for the summer about the schools that they attend.

  • Compile a résumé of activities, honors, leadership positions, and job experience. You'll need this information for college applications and scholarship forms.

  • Visit colleges. Call ahead for appointments with the financial aid, admissions, and academic advisors at the college(s) in which you are most interested. During your visits, talk to professors, sit in on classes, spend a night in the dorms, and speak to students about the college(s). Doing these things will allow you to gather the most information about the college and the atmosphere in which you would be living, should you choose to attend. Some colleges have preview programs that allow you to do all of these; find out which of the schools that you will be visiting offer these programs and take advantage of them.

  • Access the Apply Texas Application at www.applytexas.org or download applications from colleges’ websites.  Begin filling out your applications before your busy senior year begins.  Spend extra time on the essays that are required on some applications. 

  • Begin a scholarship search by filling out your student profile on one or more of these scholarship search engines: www.fastweb.com, www.scholarships.com, www.wiredscholar.com, www.collegeboard.com. These are secure web sites and there is no fee for their service.

  • Continue to read extensively and work on your writing skills.

  • Try to find a job that will give you experience in a field that interests you and that will sharpen your leadership skills as well as add to your savings account.

Talk honestly with your parents about how you will finance your college costs and how much they expect you to supply.

Fall

• Evaluate your course load. Focus on keeping your GPA up by making the best grades you can in all of your classes.

• Register to take the PSAT test and/or the ACT/SAT.

• Join extracurricular activities so that you will stand out on your college applications.

• Take the ASVAB test to help guide you toward career pathways based on your interests and strengths for the military.

Spring

• Learn more about prospective colleges and universities by touring them virtually.

• Pick out your classes for your junior year. Remember to choose your classes carefully and wisely.  Choose the classes that will most benefit you academically, and that will best prepare you for college.

• Register for your AP test, if needed.

It is never too early to start thinking about what you want to do after high school.

Academics:

• Look at your personal learning plan...are you on track to take the classes that you want to take throughout high school?

• Make sure you are challenging yourself with your course selections, this looks good on your transcripts and also helps to prepare you for college testing.

 College Research:

• Start researching careers you might be interested in, and identifying what education you will need after high school.

  • www.bigfuture.org 

• Research college profiles and even start touring them virtually.

Get Involved in your school community:

• Start writing down your extracurricular activities and volunteer activities, include the following information:

  • name of group or organization

  • a description of your activities

  • how many hours a week/month/year you are involved

  • dates when you were active in the organization

  • any offices you have held

  • any awards you have received