Here I will include what you must do throughout your time in High School to prepare and apply for college. It is never too early to start!

9th & 10th Grade

• Do your best and get good grades. Take challenging courses!

A higher GPA means:

• • • You will be more competitive for more schools!

    • You will get more money from schools!

    • GPA = OPPORTUNITY

• Get involved outside of class. Clubs, sports, jobs, volunteering and family responsibilities count!

• Explore your interest and potential career/majors

Junior Year

• Do your best and get good grades. This is the last year colleges will see when you are applying!

• Take challenging courses

• Get involved outside of class. Clubs, sports, jobs, volunteering and family responsibilities count!

• Explore your interest and potential career/majors

• Study for the SAT and ACT

• Research and visit colleges. Keep in mind academic and personal preferences!

• Take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring

• All students will take the ACT at school for FREE second semester of junior year. Colleges will see this score, so take it seriously!

Spring of Junior Year/Summer Before Senior Year

Before the end of your junior year you should:

• Ask for letters of recommendation for 1-2 teachers. Asking early is key to giving teachers enough time to write a good recommendation. Remember to thank everyone that writes you one!

• Take the SAT or ACT at least once. Start/continue studying and plan the next time you will take it.

• Start making a college list. Be flexible and include reach, target and safety schools.

• Unsure of what schools to put on your list? Try this link: https://collegesearch.collegeboard.org/home

Over the summer BEFORE senior year you should:

• Visit college campuses if you can. If not, use online tools to explore campuses.

• Write at least one application essays. Common App prompts are available months in advance and many applications open on August 1st. Starting essays earlier will make your life easier!

• Add/remove schools from your list. Continue to be flexible and have a range of schools.

• Study for the ACT /SAT and pick the date(s) you will test. You want to test at least one month before your application deadlines to ensure scores get there in time.

• Start applying! Many applications are available August 1st.

Senior Year

It’s finally your senior year! Congratulations!

• Senior year is an exciting but stressful time. Practice self care and enjoy yourself.

• Stay motivated! Colleges will look at your grades from senior year.

• There is a lot going on. Keep all dates, deadlines, usernames, passwords and important information in one place.

• Do not procrastinate. Getting things done early means less stress for you!!

• Work smarter, not harder!

  • Keep track of things you do as you go

  • Find a system to stay organized

  • Reuse parts of essays and resumes when possible

August-September

• Register and take the ACT and/or SAT

  • Check with Ms. Seltzer to see if you are eligible for fee waivers

• Research colleges and make a balanced list of schools to apply to

  • 1-2 safety schools (chance of acceptance is highly likely; test scores and GPA above average)

  • 1-2 match schools (chance of acceptance is likely; test scores and GPA within average)

  • 1-2 dream schools (chance of acceptance is a reach; test scores and GPA below average)

  • Consider size, location and other important factors when researching colleges

• Start working on college applications

  • Ask teachers for letters of recommendation. If they are required, they are necessary for your application to be complete and considered.

  • Start working on essay topics

• Complete the N.C. Residency Determination Service (RDS)

  • Many schools require RDS to be completed BEFORE submitting your application

October- December

• Complete the FAFSA!!

  • Necessary to receive financial aid (FREE money)

  • Submit by DECEMBER 1ST, but submitting earlier increases your chances of getting as much money as possible

  • Some schools require an additional financial aid application called the CSS Profile

• Submit college applications

  • Many applications are due October-December

  • College Application Week is at the end of October. Colleges across NC will be waiving fees for all students this week.

  • Know the difference between early action, early decision, regular decision and rolling admissions- and know which you are applying!

• Start applying to scholarships (more FREE money). Many are due October-December

January-March

• Continue applying to schools

• Continue applying to scholarships

  • As you finish applying to schools, keep that same energy for scholarships!!

  • You do not have to be accepted into a school before applying.

  • Spending 5 hours to write an essay for a $500 scholarship means you earn $100/hr. Apply apply APPLY!!

• Colleges will begin to release decisions

April-May

• You will hear back from colleges, scholarships and financial aid!!!

• It’s time to decide!!

  • Deciding on which college to attend can be very difficult. Reach out to Ms. Seltzer!

  • Weigh the pros and cons, costs, financial aid, and anything else important to you

  • Go with your gut and where you will excel