College Prep Timeline

 

Use the timeline below as your guide to preparing for college.

In 7th & 8th Grade:

• Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.
• Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits.
• Practice setting and reaching goals.
• Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.
• Talk with your school counselor and parents about careers that interest you.
• Create a tentative high school class plan.
• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
• Talk with your parents about saving and paying for college.

In 9th & 10th Grade:

• Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers options.
• Talk with your school counselor about career options and the education required for those careers.
• Talk with friends, teachers, counselors and your parents about college.
• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.
• Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your junior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or Concurrent Enrollment.
• Explore internships and apprenticeships.
• Explore internships and apprenticeships.
• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
• Participate in extracurricular activities.

In 11th Grade:

• Attend college and financial aid events.
• Take the PSAT in the Fall to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.
• Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.
• Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites.
• Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.
• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements.
• Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your senior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or Concurrent Enrollment.
• Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT in the Spring.
• Research private scholarship options.
• Participate in extracurricular activities.
• Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.

In 12th Grade:

• Visit the colleges that interest you. It's okay to go more than once.
• Select the schools to which you will apply. Make a list of deadlines for each school.
• Have your high school transcript sent to colleges which you've applied.
• Prepare a portfolio if you're interested in the arts. Some fine arts college programs require one.
• Take or re-take the ACT and/or SAT in the fall.
• Attend a financial aid event.
• Search and apply for scholarships. But be aware of financial aid search companies.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid online.
• Review your high school class plan to make sure you are on track to graduate.
• Participate in extracurricular activities
• Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.