High School Checklist

By lkuechen

  • • Take recommended courses for college preparation.

  • Period: to

    9th Grade

  • • Develop productive study skills. Colleges count your ninth-grade grades!

    Colleges count your ninth-grade grades!

  • • Join a club or activity like Yearbook, National Honor Society, a sport, drama club, Key Club and/or student government.

  • • Attend the free National College Fair in October. More information can be found at www.rmacac.org

  • • Explore career opportunities. The School-to-World event in Albuquerque provides information on hundreds of careers. For more information visit www.schooltoworld.org.

  • Period: to

    10th Grade

  • • Spend time researching colleges. • Develop a list of college majors that interest you.

  • • Take the practice ACT (PLAN) if your school offers it.

  • • Review your high school course load with your potential majors in mind.

  • • Develop positive relationships. Teachers, employers, coaches, clergy and other adults may later write your college recommendation letters.

  • • Continue your in-school and out-of-school activities.

  • • Decide what types of colleges appeal to you. By the summer, narrow down your preferences: Urban (city) or rural? Large or small student population? Diverse or ethnic specific? Far or close to home?

  • • Explore summer-school options. Talk with your counselor and parents about classes to improve your grades, fit in a needed course, or further your interest in a subject.

  • • Learn about college entrance exams. Ask your school counselor or advisor for information about exam dates, registration fees and registration fee waivers.

  • • Continue to research scholarship opportunities.

  • • Schedule at least four solid core classes. Take Advanced Placement (AP), Honors, Enriched or dual credit classes if they are offered at your school.

  • Period: to

    11th Grade

  • • Continue extracurricular activities from previous years and/or find new ones.

  • • Research scholarships you may qualify for.

  • • Approach 3-5 recommendation writers (teachers, employers, coaches, and community leaders). Give each reference writer your resume and offer to draft an initial letter that can be edited and expanded.

  • • Meet with college representatives at your high school. Ask your school counselor for dates when representatives will be visiting.

  • • Take the ACT for the first time. (Need a fee waiver? Ask your school counselor.)

  • • Attend College Fairs. Here you can meet college recruiters and ask questions.

  • • Request application information. Visit the websites of colleges that interest you, where you can find or request information on applications for admissions, financial aid, course catalogs, and materials on your possible majors.

  • • Evaluate your test results and grades. Meet with your counselor or advisor, and plan how to make improvements where needed.

  • • Research colleges (see page X). Choose 4-6 colleges. Decide which colleges you will visit. If possible, visit colleges while classes are in session.

  • • Contact college coaches and professors. If you play a sport or musical instrument, you may qualify for a scholarship.

  • • Register for the ACT if needed.

  • • Take Advanced Placement or SAT II tests if required.

  • • Sign up for college level or dual credit classes for your senior year.

  • • Check college application and scholarship deadlines.

  • • Check that you are on track to meet high school graduation and college application requirements.

  • • Check that you are on track to meet high school graduation and college application requirements.

  • • Review your final college list. Talk with your counselor and parents about your choices, and start writing college and scholarship applications.

  • • Request application fee waivers. Most colleges will grant these, and your guidance counselor or the National Association for College Admission Counseling can help you secure waivers.

  • Period: to

    12th Grade

  • • Begin work on scholarship applications.

  • • Send transcripts and test results to your colleges.

  • • If you applied early, notify the college about any honors you have received since you submitted your application, and send your most recent transcripts.

  • • Proofread your materials. Have an adult read your applications, essays, and check for neatness and completeness. Keep a copy of everything you send to each college.

  • • Apply by Thanksgiving. For “rolling admissions schools,” the sooner you send in your application materials, the better.

  • • Register at www.fafsa.ed.gov. Here you can receive a PIN Number (Personal Identification Number). It’s free and required to apply for financial aid.

  • • Complete your FAFSA. Remind your parents to finish their taxes early – most colleges want copies of your parents’ tax return forms with the financial aid application. Some colleges may also require the CSS/Profile or their own college financial aid appl

  • For help, attend a FAFSA Completion Event, where a free financial aid expert can help you and your parents.

  • • Verify that your application materials have been received.

  • You should receive notification from colleges by this date. If you have been wait-listed, contact the college admissions office to express your interest.

  • • Compare financial aid award letters/offers.

  • Make your final decision! • Deadline to accept offers of admission.