| College Planning Timeline 9th Grade THINGS YOU SHOULD DO Meet with your counselor to develop a four(4) year plan Remember that two years of foreign language and Alg II are minimum requirements for admissions to college. If you are going to a particular college, get a catalog and plan your high school studies in relation to that college’s requirements. Make sure you are enrolled in college-preparatory or tech-prep courses. Work to your academic potential. The grades you earn in 9th grade will be included in your final high school GPA and class rank. This is important for college admission and scholarships Students intending to apply to college in the Florida University system are strongly advised to take 19 units in the following 5 core academic areas: English, Math, Science, Social Studies and Foreign Language. Develop good study habits Explore individual interests and possible careers. Take advantage of career day opportunities Important to participate in extracurricular activities and community service activities. Check with your counselor to get ideas for community service. Look into
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) if you think you may want to participate in sports in college. The website is www.ncaaclearinghouse.net Read for pleasure and while you are at it, learn unfamiliar words. Vocabulary skills come in handy on the SAT Reasoning Test Keep a record of all your activities. Check out www.FACTS.org Florida’s Central Web Resource for high school students 10th Grade THINGS YOU SHOULD DO Meet with your counselor to make sure your courses fit the program you are interested in following through high school. Sign up to take the PSAT (October) and the PLAN (November) . These tests will prepare you for the SAT and ACT. Be prepared to
take and pass the FCAT writing and the FCAT Reading and Math SSS tests. Keep your grades up, so you can have the highest GPA and class rank. Continue with community service activities. Go to the College and Career Fairs If you are interested in Dual Enrollment at the community college, you need an unweighted GPA of 3.0 and qualifying scores on the SAT or ACT or CPT. 11th grade THINGS YOU SHOULD DO Meet with your counselor to make sure you are on track to pursue your college plans. Colleges look at a rigorous course load. Take the PSAT to practice for the SAT and to qualify for scholarships offered by the National Merit Corporation. Start researching
scholarships www.fastweb.com and check out the scholarship Bulletin Board. Identify the characteristics of a college that matters to you-size, location, cost, academic rigor, social environment and diversity. Sign up for the College Representative visits in the Guidance office Make sure you have signed up to take the ACT or SAT or both. The ACT examines knowledge learned in school and the SAT is an aptitude test. Visit websites such as www.facts.org, www.collegeview.com , or go to specific college sites. Work up a list of schools you want to visit during Spring Break (or in the fall) with your parents. It’s best to plan to be on campus while schools are in session. Review the Bright Futures pamphlet. Think about teachers you would like to write you letters of recommendations. Start thinking
about essay topics. Compile a resume of activities, honors, leadership positions, and job experience. You will need this information for college applications and scholarship forms. Attend the Financial Aid workshop in January 12th grade THINGS YOU
SHOULD DO Start the application process early Get your letters of recommendations Work on your essays Keep up to date on scholarships. Check out the Scholarship Board in the front hall by the office. Request your transcripts be sent to the colleges. Get the request form Guidance and turn into Mrs. Joanne Douglas. Register for SAT and or ACT if you haven’t taken or you need to raise your test scores for scholarships (Bright Futures) or college acceptance. Make sure scores are sent to the colleges. In December you can start working on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid form and go on line and apply for the Bright
Futures. www.floridastudentfinancialaid.org . Attend Financial Aid workshop in January Make sure the high school has your correct social security number. Maintain high grades and a rigorous course load. Colleges want students that are committed to a strong academic program. |
