Guidance Department
 College Application Timelines

 Graduation Countdown: 
 Career and College Planning Activities by Grade Level

 Ninth Grade

• Make an appointment to meet with your counselor to discuss academic and career plans.

• Visit your guidance office, career center and library to become familiar with the resources available.

• Participate in extracurricular school activities.

• Take any available career assessments, such as CHOICES.

• Attend career information programs.

• Choose challenging courses for sophomore. Pay attention to the requirements for different colleges to ensure you meeting the criteria.

Tenth Grade

• Continue to participate in extracurricular school activities.

• Visit your guidance office, career center and library.

• Meet with your counselor concerning your progress.

• Investigate the kinds of postsecondary schools that offer the education you need to meet your career plans.

• Locate summer enrichment programs.

• Register for AP Exams.

• Research colleges on-line. See the “College and Career Links” page.

• Choose challenging courses for the junior year. Pay attention to the requirements for different colleges to ensure you meeting the criteria.

• Register for June SAT II: Subject Test in any subject, which you feel prepared to test. Example:  If you took Biology this year, you may wish to take the SAT II test in Biology rather then wait until next year.

Eleventh Grade

• Attend career and college presentations.

• Continue to participate in extracurricular school activities.

• Visit your guidance office, career center and library.

• Acquire volunteer or job experiences related to career plans.

• Meet with your counselor about your progress.

• Complete career interest inventories, such as CHOICES.

• Obtain information about internships or job shadows.

• Use the internet to identify appropriate colleges and trade and technical schools.

• Begin to build you resume and personal reference information.

• Practice interview skills.

• Register for AP Exams.

• Register for the SAT I and II.  You should take both tests at least once this school year. See www.collegeboard.com to register.

• Consider a college summer program or enrichment opportunity.

• If you are considering playing athletics in college, check the NCAA requirements.

• Visit several college campuses during a spring break.

Twelfth Grade

• Meet with your counselor to discuss postsecondary plans.

• Review high school records, including graduation requirements.

• Attend career programs.

• Attend local job fairs.

• Maintain grades and good attendance.

• Perfect interviewing skills.

• Register for AP Exams

• Register for the SAT I and II. 

• Continue to participate in extracurricular school activities.

• Visit your guidance office, career center and library.

• Visit several college campuses.

• Narrow your list of colleges to 3-5 schools.

• Request college and admission information.

• Meet with admission representatives that visit your school.

• Develop a list of test requirements, names, dates, fees, registration deadlines, and deadlines for college and financial aid applications.

• Begin to ask teachers, guidance counselors, and employees for letters of recommendation to be included with admission and scholarship applications.

• Work on admission applications and essays.

• Obtain financial aid applications. Complete as necessary.

• Complete and send out applications.

• Submit completed FAFSA aid form after January 1.

• Check to see if your midyear transcripts have been sent to colleges you have applied.