College planning begins with strong grades in a curriculum that is both challenging and achievable for you.  College planning also includes building a resume of activities that are meaningful to you starting in ninth grade.  You can begin building that resume in your naviance account.  Activities are based on the individual's interests. These include clubs, sports, community service, jobs, theater, dance, art, and summer activities.   Commitment and consistency is important.  Developing positive connections with staff and students and demonstrating strong character is also important.  Respect, trustworthiness, caring, responsibility, citizenship and character are all areas colleges look at as they review your college application.  You will be registered with Naviance, a career and college search tool, and will be able to create and store your resume in your Naviance account. Career exploration is a process that involves understanding your strengths, skills and interests and "matching" them with a career you would like to explore.  See the Career Exploration section of this website for additional resources.   Div. I and II Athletes are advised to visit the NCAA Eligibility Center to view their list of approved Yorktown High School courses. View the freshmen and sophomore sections of the guidance webpage for more information.

This is the time when you become more active in your college search.  This includes registering for and preparing for SAT and/or ACTs, researching colleges using Naviance and other college search tools, visiting college campuses (if available), scheduling and attending campus tours,  meeting with college reps who visit our high school, viewing college websites, emailing or calling admissions offices with questions, and meeting with your school counselor in the guidance office.  Strong grades continue to be important part of your junior year of high school.  There are surveys your counselor will ask you to complete for them as well.  Div. I and II athletes will also register with the NCAA Eligibility Center and continue to check the NCAA list of approved Yorktown High School courses.   Your GPA on your transcript will include 9th,10 thand 11th grades.  The summer before senior year, students narrow down their college list, register for The Common application, write their college essay, ask two teachers whether they would write a letter of recommendation on your behalf, and begin filling out your college applications.  View the Junior Year section of the guidance webpage for additional links and information.

At this time, you have generated a solid list of colleges that you plan to apply to and will be working closely with your school counselor in the guidance office to assist you through the steps.  Many seniors submit their transcript release forms to the guidance office and apply to colleges mid-October for early application deadlines.  You will be using your Naviance and Common Application accounts regularly through this process and it is important to remember your username and passwords.  You will revise your college essay and send your SAT or ACT scores to colleges (if applicable) through the testing agency and will start the financial aid process by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the CSS Profile (if required by your college or university).  You will also reach out to colleges to find out about any merit scholarships you can apply for as well as review scholarship opportunities posted in the Scholarship Binder in the guidance office.  Div I and II athletes will be in contact with college coaches and check that their high school courses are on the list of approved courses on the NCAA Eligibility Center website.     A senior timeline and application checklist will further help you through this process.   View the Senior section and Senior college application section of the guidance webpage for more information. Your senior year report card  will be sent to your prospective colleges.  Continue to do well in your classes throughout the school year!