September – December
Stay on track:
- Meet with your counselor to ensure that graduation requirements have been met.
- Consider taking a fourth year of math and science courses. This will make you more competitive to colleges and universities.
- Take AP, Honors or College Bridge classes.
- Read at lot! Aim for 100 pages a day, including homework and leisure.
- Write a lot!
- Enroll in ACT/SAT prep classes.
- Take ACT and/or SAT a second time if necessary.
- Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
- Be a leader in Service-Learning projects. To graduate you need to have completed 40 Service-Learning hours.
- Ask for help if you are having a hard time with classes or if you are having problems in or out of school.
Follow your plan:
- Continue to attend college fairs and OCFAC workshops.
- Visit the colleges you are most interested in.
- Choose which colleges you’ll apply to. Include safety, target, and reach schools on your list.
- Complete at least five college applications. Make sure each application is complete. Print the applications and keep copies. * Write down the date you mailed or submitted the application.
- Apply for at least five scholarships.
Get ready:
- Apply for your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) PIN number before December 31. Get your parents to apply for a family PIN number.
January – June
Stay on track:
- Meet with your college counselor to ensure you are on track for graduation!
- Follow up on college application status. Send in mid-year grades, if required or requested.
Follow your plan:
- File for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) by Jan 31st. Check your Student Aid Report (SAR) as soon as it comes and make corrections as necessary.
- Watch for fat envelopes in the mail!
- Visit colleges during spring break.
- Review college acceptance letters and financial aid award letters with your parents and/or guardians, counselor
and college advisor.
- Accept/decline the financial aid packages offered.
- Inform schools of your acceptance or decline offers by May 1st.
- Send in housing contracts, any deposits, etc. by their due dates.
Get ready:
- Attend Time to Get SERIOUS.
- Carefully review materials received from the college you plan to attend. Read any books on the summer reading list. Attend summer orientation if offered.
- Save money for college.
- Open a checking account.
- Take a workshop on managing your finances.
- Create a budget for first semester.
