Planning Your Post Secondary Path

Teen Guide to Preparing for College

Throughout your secondary experience you may have questions about your own future and how to actually get there. With so much going on it may be difficult to sort out what steps to take and how to make a plan. Here are some recommendations to help you in planning and will help in keeping you on track for graduation and higher education.

FRESHMAN YEAR

• Familiarize yourself with your counselor and college and career coach
• Develop a four year educational plan aligned with your college and career goals
• Increase your test-taking, writing and study skills
• Become involved in extracurricular activities and continue with them throughout your high school experience
• Use “Choices Planner” to begin identifying your abilities, skills and interests
• Participate in college and career awareness programs or events
• Meet with your counselor to review your progress and plan for sophomore year courses. (Take the most challenging options available to you IB, Honors, AP, and virtual high school
• Participate in summer learning/service/employment opportunities that match your career and post secondary goals
• Continue obtaining your service learning hours (you’ll need ten per year)
• Be sure to apply for your social security card if you have not done so already. If you are not eligible to apply for one, meet with your counselor or college and career coach as soon as possible

SOPHOMORE YEAR

• Continue to focus on academic excellence. Higher grades mean more options for colleges and scholarships
• Meet with your counselor to review “PLAN” results and see that you’re on track for graduation
• Develop a post secondary portfolio on “Choices Planner” which includes academic achievements, resume, research on colleges and careers, scholarships, certificates of achievement and participation, clubs and extracurricular activities
• Continue your participation in learning/service/employment opportunities related to your career and college goals
• Attend college fairs and campus visits and review college admissions requirements while reviewing your own course load to see what you’ll need to meet the requirements
• Continue to take the most challenging courses available to you
• Apply for Summer Quest, College Bridge and other intensive educational/vocational programs
• Always try to match your work and learning experiences to your post secondary goals

JUNIOR YEAR

• Continue extracurricular involvement and assume leadership roles whenever possible
• Take a skills assessment and interest inventory (www.cps.bridges.com)
• Research ten post secondary institutions (colleges, universities, vocational or technical programs) (www.collegezone.com)
• Attend college fairs and tours (www.collegezone.com)  see Outreach/activities calendar
• Review college admissions requirements against your current course levels
• Participate in ACT/SAT/PSAE test prep courses
• Register for ACT and/or SAT exam. Check your college of choice for requirements
• Meet with your counselor and/or college coach to ensure you’re on track for promotion and taking the most challenging options for you  (AP, honors, IB and virtual High School)
• Participate in College Bridge and College Excel courses

SENIOR YEAR (September – December)

• Meet with your counselor to ensure that graduation requirements have been met
• Request letters of recommendation and high school transcripts in enough time to meet college application deadlines
• Take a fourth year of math and science. This will make you more competitive to colleges and universities
• Register to retake the ACT/SAT exam if necessary
• Develop your resume (www.cps.bridges.com) or (www.afterschoolmatters.org)
• Develop your personal essay (www.cps.bridges.com) or (www.afterschoolmatters.org)
• Apply for your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) PIN number prior to December 31st. Have your parents apply for a family PIN as well. (www.pin.ed.gov)
• Try to visit and tour the colleges you are most interested in
• Attend college and scholarship fairs
• Complete college applications thoroughly. Keep a copy of your application and the date mailed for your records
• Apply for scholarships (www.scholarships.com)

SENIOR YEAR (January- June)

• File for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid by January 31st) Use last year’s W2 tax forms to complete the FAFSA initially and update information on line by March 1st at www.fafsa.ed.gov to be eligible for early consideration
• Check your Student Aid Report (SAR) as soon as it comes and make any necessary corrections
• Confirm with your counselor that you are on track for graduation
• Follow up on college application status and send in mid year grades
• Review acceptance letters with parents, counselors, and college coaches. Accept/decline/negotiate the financial aid packages you’re offered
• Visit your top choices for college during spring break and finalize your plans for attendance. Send in housing contracts, deposits, etc.
• Inform schools about your acceptance and decline offers by May 1st – the deadline for notifying colleges
• Continue to research and apply for scholarships both at your chosen college and also elsewhere (scholarships.com)
• Try to have a summer job so you can save extra money for college
• Purchase items you’ll need to take to college (computer, bedding, school supplies, clothes, etc.)