Timeline by Grade

9th Grade

  • Document your awards and honors, and lists of school and community activities in which you are involved, including both paid and volunteer work with descriptions of your responsibilities

  • Be active in clubs, activities, and sports that you enjoy

10th Grade

  • Learn what resources are available to help you plan for college by meeting with your school’s college or school counselor. Ask about catalogs, guidebooks, college search programs, and college websites.

  • Continue participation in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops and camps with specialty focuses, such as music, arts, and science.

  • Start thinking about standardized testing. Look into Khan Academy for practice and whether you want to take the PSAT.

  • Talk to your counselor about registering for AP courses next year. AP, or Advanced Placement, courses grant college credit for achievement in exams during high school covering different college-level subjects.

11th Grade

  • Develop a résumé—a record of your accomplishments, activities, and work experiences. This will be an important part of your college application.

  • Sign up for the ACT or SAT

  • Take an English proficiency test if you need it

  • Begin taking a more serious look at colleges and universities you are interested in attending. Gather information about academics, financial aid, and campus life. Go to college fairs and open houses and learn as much as you can from the internet about schools so you can make the best decision possible.

  • If possible visit some universities! Many universities are doing virtual visits.

  • Make a list of teachers that you would ask for letters of recommendations.

12th Grade

  • Take a look at some college applications and consider all of the different pieces of information you will need to compile.

  • Take every opportunity to get to know colleges. Meet with college representatives who visit your high schools during the fall, attend local college fairs, visit campuses (if possible). Ask your counselor if they know of special campus visitation programs.

  • Narrow down your list of colleges and begin to consider “safety,” “match,” and “reach” schools. Make sure you have the application and financial aid information for each school. Find out if you qualify for any scholarships at these schools.