9th Grade

• Start the school year with a four-year plan (Your guidance counselor can help). Look toward choosing a challenging college-prep curriculum.
• Begin to think about what you might do after high school.
• Consider taking any aptitude or career interest inventories available through your high school.
• Maintain good attendance, grades, and citizenship.
• Make a commitment to one or more extracurricular activities or a job.
• Create a portfolio (a file or folder). Keep samples of excellent school work, copies of report cards, special awards, letters or commendation and recommendation, and any other materials that document your success.
• Look into summer academic programs that might be of interest.
• Evaluate your academic program- grades received and courses that you have taken or will take. Are you still on track for meeting your goals? Or, have your goals changed? If so, re-think your program.

10th Grade

• Take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test). This test, and other criteria, could qualify you for a National Merit Scholarship.
• Evaluate your time management skills. Make sure that you have a balance between school, work, and play.
• Continue to explore possible career options.
• Maintain good attendance, grades, and citizenship.
• Maintain your portfolio of achievements.
• Make a commitment to one or more extracurricular activities or a job.
• If you work for pay, begin a savings account for college.
• Look into summer academic programs that might be of interest.
• Re-evaluate your course selection and academic progress.

11th Grade

• If you haven't already done so, take the PSAT.
• Meet with your guidance counselor to review your courses for this year, plan for senior year, and discuss a list of colleges you'd like to explore. Consider early decision plans.
• Maintain your portfolio of achievements. Challenge yourself with advanced or honors courses if available.
• Attend college fairs, or write or call colleges on your list and begin reviewing their literature.
• Prepare for and take the SAT and/or ACT.
• Consider taking Advanced Placement (AP) examinations or College Level Examination Program (CLEP) tests in your strongest courses; see your high school counseling office for registration dates.
• Use your spring and summer breaks to visit college campuses. Call ahead to schedule visits.
• Begin thinking about which teachers and others you might ask to write recommendations in the fall of your senior year.
• Maintain good attendance, grades, citizenship, and commitment to extracurricular activities and/or job.
• Look into summer jobs or academic programs.

12th Grade

• Continue to work hard on your studies. Colleges care about your coursework and grades throughout your entire senior year.
• If you have not already done so, take the SAT or ACT.
• Meet with your guidance counselor to be sure that your list of colleges includes schools appropriate to your academic and personal record.
• Reduce the number of your preferred schools; be sure to have a viewbook, application forms, and financing and scholarship information from each. Review the application requirements for each school.
• Create a file for each of your top schools. Prepare a schedule for each one showing requirements and deadlines for application, fees, test scores, teacher recommendations, school records, essays, important names, and phone numbers.
• Visit any colleges you have not already seen.
• Prepare applications, write essays, ask teachers to write recommendations. Watch deadlines.
• Research and apply for financial aid and scholarships. See your counselor for necessary forms.
• Watch your mail for admission letters. If you are admitted to more than one school, decide which one is best for you. Pay attention to acceptance deadlines.
• Watch the mail for information from the college of your choice on orientation, summer academic programs, and other information that will help your transition to college.