Assignments

Fall Semester

1. Take the PSAT in October of junior year. Your guidance counselor can also provide information about registration and fee waivers. The PSAT taken in the 11th grade, and the score received can qualify students for the National Merit Scholarship Funds.

   1. Review your class schedules with your school guidance counselor to make sure that you have taken, and are taking, the college preparatory courses required for admission to a selective university.

2. Maintain an “A” or “B” grade point average. Your junior year grades will weigh heavily in the college’s decision.

3. Participate in academic enrichment programs. Colleges and universities organize excellent summer programs on campus for incoming high school seniors. Ask your college counselor about these programs.

4. Attend college fairs and presentations by representatives of colleges and universities. Listen to your school announcements for information about college representatives visiting your school. Also participate in The Virtual College Fair.

5. Update the file on colleges and universities that appeal to you.

6. Write or call the Office of Admissions of these institutions in order to request a copy of an application for undergraduate admissions and financial aid; a catalog or bulletin; information about financial aid; and materials about your proposed college major. Your school college counselor can provide the addresses and telephone numbers of these schools.

7. Visit the career college section of this website to explore careers, majors, and university campuses.

8. Read all the college materials you receive carefully. Compare requirements for admission and financial aid available at each institution.

• 1. Call to request an appointment to meet with a representative of the Office of Admissions when you visit colleges and universities. Take a list of questions with you that you may have about the school, as well as a copy of your transcript or a list of all courses you have taken to date, beginning in the 9th grade.

Spring Semester

• 1. Plan and register for the college entrance examinations (SAT Reasoning or ACT and SAT Subject Tests). Take the SAT reasoning, ACT and Subject tests in March, May and June. Meet with your guidance or college counselor, and take the SAT again in the fall, if necessary (also read the 12th grade checklist). Check registration deadlines.

1. Prepare for the SAT or ACT by reading books and manuals with testing tips and sample questions. You should also consider attending workshops on how to prepare for the entrance exams - these may be offered by your high school, by colleges and universities, or by private firms.

12 th Grade*

Fall Semester

1. Review your class schedules with your school guidance or college counselor to make certain that you have taken, and are taking, the college preparatory courses required for admission to the colleges and universities of your choice

2. Maintain an “A” or “B” grade point average.

3. Continue visits to college campuses. Meet with a representative of the Office of Admissions whenever possible.

4. Attend college fairs and presentations of colleges and universities.

5. Listen to your school announcements for information about college representatives visiting your campus.

6. Check with your college center on a bi-weekly basis for information about scholarships awarded by local companies and community groups. Then, apply for as many as you qualify.

7. Make a final list of schools to which you will definitely apply for admission.

8. Register for the Scholastic Assessment Test Reasoning Test and/or the American College Testing Program (ACT) and SAT Subject Tests, early in September, depending on which are required by the institutions to which you plan to apply for admission (if you have not taken the exam already in May or June). Your school college counselor can provide you with the exam registration forms and information about fee waivers. You must register one or two months in advance of the date of the examination.

9. Update the files for each college or university. Each file should include a checklist of all the admissions items required by each school; transcripts, application fees, test scores, letters of recommendation, essays, student aid applications, etc. As you mail each item, check if off the list. Pay particular attention to all deadlines - mark them down on your personal calendar or agenda.

10. Obtain information about application fee waivers from your school college counselor, if fees would be a burden to you and your family. Practice by filling out a photocopy of the application and scholarship forms before you fill out the originals.

11. Make sure that your application forms are filled out completely and neatly. Ask a family member or a friend to double-check your application forms for possible errors before mailing them.

12. Make a photocopy of all completed application forms prior to mailing them. Keep copies in your files.

13. Apply early - generally during the months of October or November under “early action”, “early decision”, or “priority consideration” plans.

14. For UC admissions consideration, SAT Reasoning Test & SAT Subject Tests must be taken by the December test date of the senior year.

15. The UC application can be accessed by visiting: UC Online Application

16. The CSU application can be accessed by visiting: CSU Online Application

Spring Semester

• 1. Remind your parents to prepare their income tax statements as early as possible, since a photocopy of these must be sent to most colleges to which you apply for financial aid.

  2. Apply for Financial Aid between January and February.

  3. Review the SAR and CAR reports

  4. Send Statement of Intent to Register by May 1st—national deadline.

  5. Prepare and take placement tests required by the university. Community colleges typically use the ACT compass to evaluate and place students in appropriate classes. CSU's may require the English Placement test and Entry-level Mathematic test. UC's may require your to take the Analytical Writing placement exam, Math Advisory Exam, and California Chemistry Diagnostic test. UC's may also require you to take placement tests for calculus, chemistry, foreing language, and English.

The summer before college...

1. Rememeber to submit official transcripts and test scores by the respected university's deadline

2. Sign up for the first orientation date so you can get first pick for classes! Make sure to consider costs and check to see if a school has fee waivers or partial fee waivers

3. Complete mandatory health requirements

4. Make housing reservation payments