College 101 Series

In our new virtual workshop series, we cover everything you need to know for college. Check out our workshops below. Follow us on Instagram to learn more about upcoming workshops in this series!

The College Prep Checklist

What should I be working on? What should I have done? The college application process has a lot of steps and can be very confusing. Below, we have laid out ESSENTIAL  information and action items you should have. Please note that this is not every task you must complete. 

FRESHMAN YEAR

• Enter essay, speech contests, science fairs/contests for scholarships and awards. 

• Get involved in extracurricular activities. Volunteer in your community. 

• Explore careers and job opportunities in those careers. You can use extracurricular classes to do this as well. 

•  Study hard and do well in school - From now on your grades will count toward college and will show up on your permanent record. 

• Start to attend events on college campuses (plays, concerts, sporting events, activities related to your major, etc.)

• Get to know your high school counselor (the College or Senior Counselor) and let them get to know you and your goals, career aspirations, schools you are considering, etc. Your parents may want to go along too. 

• Talk to your friends about what they plan to do after college. Talk to your parents and your friends’ parents about what they do. 

• Explore a variety of classes and topics. Start making a list of what you ENJOY learning about. This will help you learn more about what YOU like. 

SOPHOMORE YEAR

• Decide on if you want/need to take the SAT or ACT for your future goals. Contact a mentor or counclor for this. You can also talk to your teachers. Take the PSAT Test (Fall) as a practice for when it really counts next year. 

• Start building effective study habits. Look at "Fiveable.me" for more information! 

• Start building self-care habits. Look at "Fiveable.me" or our IG for more information!   

• Use the internet and start looking at colleges through their websites, sign up for their Podcast, etc. 

• Start attending college fairs in your area (where the colleges come in and give away information about their schools). 

• Get a job! Start a college savings account and regularly deposit into it. 

• Start scholarship hunting! We have some helpful resources above!

• "Job shadow" someone who does what you think you'd like to do (that means to follow them around for a day). 

• Get involved in extracurricular activities and volunteer in your community.

•  Explore careers and job opportunities in those careers. 

JUNIOR YEAR

• This year's academic record will go a long way toward either helping or hurting your chances of gaining admission to your schools of choice. You can make up ground if you've been slacking and you can keep up the hard work you've already exhibited.

• Take the PSAT in October (this one is to qualify for National Merit Scholarship Competition). It can be very important

• Attend an ACT/SAT preparation workshop (if you can't, you should purchase practice books, software, etc. to help you prepare)

• Take the ACT and/or SAT during the spring semester. That way you'll have at least one score going into your senior year. This also puts you on schools’ mailing lists and gives significant information to the schools you are considering.

• Research possible colleges and request or download information from them. Visit college campuses (campus tour, visit with advisors/faculty, pickup admission packet)

• Take solid elective courses (extra math, science, foreign language, social sciences, computers, etc.)

• Talk to friends and family to gather ideas on colleges. We have resources above for college hunting!

• Run for leadership positions in the organizations you are involved in

• Ask your high school counselor for suggestions as to colleges you should consider but might not have thought of on your own (based on major, scholarships, location, etc.)

• Get to know the admission criteria for your top schools. Know where you stand in relation to those requirements and work toward changing what you can (if you fall short).

• Get involved in extracurricular activities. Volunteer in your community or work with a student org (like us)!

• Explore careers and job opportunities in those careers by shadowing, interviewing or emailing people in similar fields!   

• Study hard and do well in school – Remember, your grades will count toward college and will show up on your permanent record. But keep in mind, Cs and Bs get degrees! It's true!

SENIOR YEAR

• Attend college fairs in your area.  

• Visit college campuses, visit many, visit often.

• Attend events at the colleges you are interested in. 

• Talk to people whose opinions you respect about the schools you are considering  Go stay with friends who are in college. Find out what they like and dislike.  

• Explore careers and job opportunities in those careers. Talk to your parents and your friends’ parents about what they do.  Make sure your high school counselor knows what you’re looking for in a college so he/she can help you choose the best one for you.  Talk to your friends about what they plan to do after high school. In

In Early Fall.... 

• Gather applications to the schools you are considering (note deadlines for admission, scholarships, housing, etc.).  Sit down with everyone who has a stake in your college decision and solicit their input. Listen to what everyone has to say. 

•  Line up people to write letters of recommendation (choose people who actually know you, not just those with a cool title). Give them plenty of time to write the letter(s). 

•  Borrow scholarship information (contact names, addresses, applications, etc.) from someone a year ahead of you who received several scholarships and/or had the same major as you, or someone with comparable involvements and activities.  

• Get to know the admission criteria for your top schools. Know where you stand in relation to those requirements and work toward changing what you can (if you fall short). If you do fall short of the requirements, early application could be your ticket “in”. 

•  Take the ACT/SAT in September/October (repeat as necessary or desired). 

•  Apply for admission (if seeking early admission). 

In Mid-Fall.... 

• Talk to your high school counselor about local scholarships and get the applications.  Keep checking back periodically throughout the year for information on the latest scholarships, but don't drive them nuts!  

• Apply for admission (unless you already have).  Apply for scholarships before Christmas break if application deadline isn’t earlier. (verify the arrival of your application, transcripts, etc.). 

In Spring....

• Attend a financial aid workshop with your parents.  Apply for financial aid (as soon after Jan. 1 as possible) 

•  Take CLEP/AP Tests (if applicable)  

• Go back for a second or third visit to campuses you really like.  It’s time to make a decision! 

• As Soon as You Choose a School, apply for housing . Get familiar with your college and what you will need when you get there. Also be sure to enroll in a freshman orientation class, even if it isn't required.  

• Make a list of what you will need to take to college (coordinate with your roommate so you won't have two of everything). Carpet? Refrigerator? Microwave? Stereo? Computer? Etc.  Work with your parents on a financial plan or budget. Where will your money come from? Who pays for what? How/When to ask for more? What constitutes an emergency? 

• Consider a credit card - really, just for emergencies.  

• Make a list of personal care items you use and go price shopping. 

•  Start planning for how you’ll communicate with your parents and friends while you’re at college – e-mail, cell phone, IM, etc. Consider cost, availability and ease of communication.