College Prep Timeline - It's never too early to start planning for college!

College Prep Timeline

Use the suggested timeline below as your guide to preparing for college.

Grades 7-8

• Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college.
• Take the most difficult classes you can handle.
• Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits.
• Practice setting and reaching goals.
• Volunteer in your community.
• Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.
• Talk with your school counselor and parents about careers that interest you.
• Create a tentative high school class plan.
• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
• Do you best on state tests and the EXPLORE Test in 8th Grade.
• Review your 8th Grade EXPLORE results to determine if you are "college ready". 
• Use NAVIANCE to explore careers and learn about specific educational requirements. 
• If selected for the DUKE TALENT SEARCH PROGRAM, do you best on the SAT/ACT Tests.

Grades 9-10

• Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers options.
• Talk with your school counselor about career options and the education required for those careers.
• Talk with your parents about saving and paying for college.
• Talk with friends, teachers, counselors and your parents about college.
• Participate in extracurricular activities.
• Review your high school graduation plan and check your GPA.
• Take the most difficult classes you can handle.
• Stay focused on your schoolwork.
• Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your junior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual credit and the Early College High School program.
• Explore internships and apprenticeships.
• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
• Do you best on the PLAN in 10th Grade and review your results so you will be prepared to take the ACT in 11th Grade.
• Research colleges and universities via the internet or by visiting the campuses.
• Volunteer in your community and maintain a record of your service.

Grade 11

• Attend college and financial aid events.
• Mentor others and have a mentor for yourself.
• Prepare for the PSAT in October.  Your score may qualify you as a MERIT SCHOLAR which could mean additional scholarships
• Take the PSAT in the fall to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.
• Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.
• Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their websites.
• Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.
• Participate in extracurricular activities.
• Request admissions and financial aid forms.
• Sign up for classes that will earn college credit during your junior year through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual credit and the Early College High School program.
• Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring.
• Review your high school class plan.
• Take the most difficult classes you can handle.
• Stay focused on your schoolwork.
• Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements.
• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
• Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.
• Research private scholarship options.
• Begin work on the college application either on www.apply.texas.org or www.commonapp.org or the college specific application.
• Do your best on the college application essays.  Don't be afraid to ask for help from your teacher, mentor or other adult.  Have them proof your work and provide input and feedback.

Grade 12

• Stay focused on your schoolwork and take the most difficult classes you can handle.
• Take career interest assessments and determine the education needed for careers that interest you.
• Participate in extracurricular activities.
• Volunteer in the community.

September - November

• Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you. It's okay to go more than once.
• Take or retake the ACT and/or SAT in the fall.
• Meet with your school counselor to review your high school class plan.
• Select the schools to which you will apply.
• Make a list of deadlines for each school.
• Create a resume of your academic, athletic and work activities as well as other achievements.
• Prepare a portfolio if you're interested in the arts.
• Ask for recommendations (if required) from teachers, counselors and others who can comment on your abilities and talents.
• Attend a financial aid event.
• Check if there is still time to sign up for spring classes that will earn college credit  through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, dual credit and the Early College High School program.

December - February

• Apply to four or more colleges that interest you. Some may have earlier or later deadlines.
• Common Application: Texas offers a common application for all public universities. This application may be obtained from the counseling center on your high school campus or online at www.applytexas.org. 
• Attend a financial aid event if you haven't already done so.
• Apply for scholarships offered by the colleges to which you have applied.
• Apply for financial aid by completing either the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the Texas Application for Student Financial Aid (TASFA), as soon as possible after January 1.
• Some colleges or universities also require the PROFILE as part of the financial aid application packet so check the financial aid website of the college or university you are applying to.
• You and your parents will need the previous year's income tax information to complete the it.
• Review you Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy.
• March - May Have your final high school transcript sent to the colleges to which you've applied.
• Choose a college and notify in writing those you don't plan to attend.
• Send in any required forms or deposits.
• Submit your Transcript Request From in the Registrar's Office for the final transcript that reflects your graduation for submission to the college/university your will be attending.

Summer

• Get a job to earn money for college.
• Review orientation materials from the college you selected.
• If living on campus, check with the college for a list of what's provided by the school and what the school expects the student to provide.
• Contact your roommate.