12th Grade
WHEN
COLLEGE
CAREER
All Year
Select a rigorous class schedule while also exploring areas that interest you. Stay focused on your schoolwork and resist the temptation to slide. Senior year rigor and grades still count!
Meet with your academic counselor to check in on progress you are making on your 4 year plan and graduation requirements.
Select a rigorous class schedule while also exploring areas that interest you. Stay focused on your schoolwork and resist the temptation to slide. Senior year rigor and grades still count!
Meet with your academic counselor to check in on progress you are making on your 4 year plan and graduation requirements.
All Year
Use a planner, calendar, or other organizational tool to keep track of important dates, deadlines, and events., like:
Tests you’ll take and their fees, dates, and registration deadlines
College application due dates
Required financial aid application forms and their deadlines (aid applications may be due before college applications)
Other materials you’ll need (recommendations, transcripts, etc.)
Your high school’s application processing deadlines
Continue to explore careers to narrow down your areas of interest. Determine the education needed for careers that interest you and incorporate your interests into decisions about post-secondary education.
Conduct informational interviews
Participate in job shadows and informational interviews.
Work at an off-campus internship or part-time job
Participate in enrichment programs that encourage career exploration
Go on field trips to local businesses
Meet with military recruiters if interested in the military.
All Year
Male students: you must register for selective service within 30 days of your eighteenth birthday to be eligible for federal and state financial aid. Males may register by checking the appropriate box on the FAFSA Application.
Male students: you must register for selective service within 30 days of your eighteenth birthday to be eligible for federal and state financial aid. Males may register by checking the appropriate box on the FAFSA Application.
All Year
Continue to participate in extracurricular activities and volunteer in your community. Demonstrate initiative, creativity, commitment, and leadership in each.
Continue to participate in extracurricular activities and volunteer in your community. Demonstrate initiative, creativity, commitment, and leadership in each.
All Year
Apply for scholarships. Check your high school scholarship listings. Also, check with the schools you're applying to and find out if they have any special scholarships for which you may qualify. Scholarships are available for vocational and apprenticeship training as well.
Apply for scholarships. Check your high school scholarship listings. Scholarships are available for vocational and apprenticeship training as well.
Fall
If you have not developed a plan for what you would like to do after high school, meet with your counselor as soon as possible.
Make sure to discuss your post-secondary plan with your counselor, teacher, parent(s)/guardian(s) or anyone else who is assisting you in the process.
If you have not developed a plan for what you would like to do after high school, meet with your counselor as soon as possible.
Make sure to discuss your post-secondary plan with your counselor, teacher, parent(s)/guardian(s) or anyone else who is assisting you in the process.
Fall
Complete your last campus visits and/ or revisit schools that are high on your interest list.
Fall
If you are applying to four-year colleges, now is the time to narrow your college list to 5 to 8 colleges you plan to apply to, if you haven’t already. Consider career and potential college majors when creating your college list.
Also consider finances as you make your list. Find out a college’s actual cost. Use the Net Price Calculator to discover the potential for financial aid and the true out-of-pocket cost - or net price - for each college.
If you are applying to four-year colleges, now is the time to narrow your college list to 5 to 8 colleges you plan to apply to, if you haven’t already. Consider career and potential college majors when creating your college list.
If interested in apprenticeships, investigate local organizations and meet with representatives regarding application procedures and requirements.
If interested in the military, meet with a recruiter.
Fall
Write first drafts of your college essays/ personal statements/ personal insight questions if you haven't already and ask teachers and others to read them. If you’re applying for early decision or early action, finish the essays for that application now.
Learn how to write effective business letters, including cover letters, recommendation request letters, and thank you notes. These skills will be invaluable as you enter the workplace and as you secure recommenders/ references for college, scholarships, and jobs.
Fall
Retake the ACT and/or SAT for the last time if needed. If applying early decision or action, plan to have your final ACT taken by the end of September and SAT by October. Colleges with regular decision deadlines generally accept test scores through December test dates.
Fall
Update or create your resume and brag sheet with your academic, athletic and work activities as well as other achievements. Prepare a portfolio if you're interested in the arts. Update your e-portfolio if you have one.
Update or create your resume and brag sheet with your academic, athletic and work activities as well as other achievements. Prepare a portfolio if you're interested in the arts. Update your e-portfolio if you have one.
Fall
Confirm/ ask for recommendations (if required) from teachers, counselors and others who can comment on your abilities and talents. Provide each person a resume/ brag sheet and thank you note.
Fall
Attend college/ career visits offered through the Career Center at your high school. Attend college and career fairs at your school and in your community. The Tri-Valley College and Career Fair is in October.
Attend college/ career visits offered through the Career Center at your high school. Attend college and career fairs at your school and in your community. The Tri-Valley College and Career Fair is in October.
Fall
If you are applying Early Action/Early Decision, most deadlines are Oct 15th, Nov 1st, or Nov 15th.
If you are applying for regular admission, it is recommended to have applications submitted by Thanksgiving or Winter Break.
Professional etiquette in the workplace is essential. Do some research about what this means and practice it in your everyday life. This way, it will be a reflex for you in both college and in your career.
Fall/ Winter
Apply to your local community college if applicable to your post-secondary goals. It is recommended that students applying to four-year colleges also apply to their local community college. Attend presentations for your community college which highlight programs, financial aid, and transfer opportunities.
Apply to your local community college if applicable to your post-secondary goals. It is recommended that students applying to four-year colleges also apply to their local community college. Attend presentations for your community college which highlight programs, financial aid, and transfer opportunities.
Fall/ Winter
Attend a financial aid event at your high school.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and review your SAR (student aid report) for accuracy. The application opens October 1. Before starting the FAFSA, the student and 1 parent will EACH need to create a FSA ID.
Certain colleges and scholarship programs require the PROFILE, an online application to determine eligibility for their aid dollars, in addition to the FAFSA.
Pay attention to the financial aid deadlines at each institution to which you are applying. Some financial aid deadlines fall before January 1.
Explore common interview questions and responses. Ask your counselor, college and career specialist, or other adult to conduct a mock interview with you so you can practice your skills and get feedback. This will help prepare you for college or job interviews.
Winter
If required, send mid-year transcripts to colleges.
If you are considering the military, make sure to take the ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery). You can schedule this exam with a local recruiter.
Spring
Compare the financial aid packages from the colleges and universities that have accepted you.
Spring
Make your final choice and notify all schools of your intent by May 1 (or by each college’s deadline). If possible, do not decide without making at least one campus visit. Send your nonrefundable deposit to your chosen school by their commitment deadline as well.
Incorporate your personal and career interests into decisions about post-secondary education.
Spring
Take any AP Exams you have scheduled. A successful score could earn you credit, advanced placement, or both in college.
Think about how you will spend your summer. If you plan to work/ intern to save money, start looking for and applying to positions now.
Spring
Keep active in school. If you are waitlisted, the college will want to know what you have accomplished between the time you applied and the time you learned of its decision.
Spring
Complete follow-up for the college of your choice:
Send in required forms or deposits.
Sign up for your college’s orientation.
Learn the process for housing and roommate selection.
Arrange for your final high school transcript to be sent to your selected college.
Summer
Pay attention to your email so you don't miss any important communications, next steps, or deadlines for your post-secondary institution.
Enjoy your summer! Spend time with friends and family before embarking on your next steps.
Pay attention to your email so you don't miss any important communications, next steps, or deadlines for your post-secondary institution.
Enjoy your summer! Spend time with friends and family before embarking on your next steps.