College & Career Timeline for 9th-12th Grade

Starting high school can feel overwhelming, but there's no need to stress. Your main job is to get used to high school and start to form a plan with your counselor for your next four years. Work hard to build good habits and don’t lose track of your goals with all the social distractions that come with high school. Check out this website for more planning resources: bigfuture.collegeboard.org.

Fall

• Begin researching what colleges you might be interested in and develop a plan to meet your A-G requirements for college admission with your counselor. Figure out which of these requirements you can fulfill your Freshman year.

• If you want to focus on a specific career, talk to your counselor about career training opportunities like academies and pathways. If you're not sure what you want to do, begin exploring your options.

• It’s not too early to start attending college and career fairs at your school.

• Explore sports, clubs, and activities that interest you.

WINTER

• Review coursework from your first semester and ask teachers what you can do to improve in the second semester. This is good to do every year!

SPRING

• Choose courses for the next year. Check with your counselor to be sure your choices are preparing you for your goals. Keep this up each year!

• Look for interesting summer experiences like jobs, camps, internships, or summer enrichment programs that give you exposure to colleges or careers you’re interested in. Keep this up each year!

Summer Tips

• Keep up your reading, both with school book lists and books or magazines that interest you.

• Begin exploring job possibilities by talking to adults you know.

• Visit nearby colleges, junior colleges, and technical schools to get a feel for them.

• Have fun, but stay focused: find volunteer opportunities or internships to add to your resume.

FALL

• Colleges DO look at Sophomore year, so make the most of it! Be sure you are taking at least 4-5 solid academic classes if you’re planning to attend college and make sure your course selections are keeping you on track toward your goals.

• Sign up for the Preliminary SAT (PSAT)/National Merit Scholarship and Pre-ACT exams, which check your college readiness.

• Santa Rosa Junior College classes are FREE to high school students.

• Join clubs, play sports, or volunteer and try to stick with your commitments! Colleges and employers look for students to have a good work ethic AND be well-rounded.

• Explore your options: Attend a college/career fair at your school, visit colleges, or shadow someone on a job that interests you.

WINTER

• Review PSAT scores and work on skills that need practicing before taking the SAT or ACT.

• Review coursework from your first semester and ask teachers what you can do to improve in the second semester. Keep this up each year!

SPRING

• Research majors and visit colleges for inspiration.

• Consider signing up for the SAT/ACT for practice.

• Think about signing up for a summer program at a local college.

Summer Tips

• Keep up your reading, both with school book lists and books or magazines that interest you.

• Begin exploring job possibilities by talking to adults you know.

• Visit nearby colleges, junior colleges, and technical schools to get a feel for them.

• Have fun, but stay focused: find volunteer opportunities or internships to add to your resume.

FALL

• Review college requirements with your counselor/ sign up for the best courses for your goals.

• Consider taking advanced placement math, science, English, foreign languages, etc.

• Visit colleges and meet with college admissions counselors.

• Attend the Sonoma County College & Career Fair at Windsor High School and other college/career events at your school.

• Take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship test to help you prepare for the SAT and ACT.

• If qualified, register to take Advanced Placement exams in May.

WINTER

• Winter break is a good time to visit nearby campuses and technical schools.

• Review your PSAT scores and look into taking an SAT/ACT prep class.

• Register for and take the SAT and/or ACT.

• Attend any financial aid workshops your school offers.

• Register with FastWeb or use your career plan account to begin searching for scholarships.

SPRING

• Attend the Spring College Fair at Sonoma State University.

• Be prepared for the Smarter Balanced (SBAC) tests for English and Math. CSUs and community colleges use results to determine Early Assessment Program (EAP) status.

• Plan your senior year! Work with a counselor to make sure your courses match entrance requirements of your college choices.

• Bookmark online applications for your top choices.

Summer Tips

• Visit campuses. Try to choose your top six. Bookmark their online applications.

• Build your resume and experience through a summer bridge program, volunteering, or part-time job.

• Continue looking for and applying for scholarships.

• Start thinking about your college essays/personal statements.

FALL

• Work with counselors to create a college application game plan.

  • Visit your college/career center.

  • Meet with college reps.

  • Narrow down your college choice list.

  • Write down important application deadlines.

  • Start or continue personal statements/college essays.

  • Get necessary recommendations.

  • Make sure you have completed your a-g requirements, if needed.

• Review your SBAC test scores with a counselor to see if you will need to take extra courses this year in order to be prepared for college.

• Sign up to meet with a community college counselor for admissions information.

• Registration for the SAT/ACT is in September/October. November is the last opportunity.

• Attend any financial aid events your school offers.

• Set a grade-point average (GPA) goal.

• Begin early decision applications no later than October. Applications are due in November. FAFSA Application opens October 1.

• Begin SRJC application process in October, especially for JumpStart program.

• If you’re considering the military, sign up for the ASVAB test.

• If you think college athletics might be in your future, talk to your counselor about becoming NCAA certified.

• Look for private scholarships and apply early.

WINTER

• Complete online applications for colleges, trade schools, and apprenticeships. Keep a copy of all information submitted.

• See a counselor to review graduation requirements.

• Set up a WebGrants account: www.webgrants4students.org.

• Attend a Cash for College workshop: calgrants.org.

• File for FAFSA, California Dream Act, and Cal Grants by March 2.

• Have first semester grades.

• If qualified, register for AP exams: www.collegeboard.org.

• Apply for local and national scholarships: www.fastweb.com.

• If you haven’t already, sign up to meet with a community college counselor for admissions information.

• Sign up for English and math placement tests for CSU and/or SRJC.

SPRING

• Consider college acceptances and weigh costs in making your decision.

• Send deposit by deadline.

Summer Tips

• Request that final transcripts be sent to your college.

• NCAA athletes must also send transcripts to NCAA: ncaa.org.