College Planning...How Do I Get There?
There are many valuable resources to help you explore your college options! Resources that we find helpful are below. We have also included a "To Do List" for each year of high school.
9th Grade Year:
be mindful that this year all courses count toward your GPA for college applications
start planning early...better to be prepared!
start a college savings account
keep track of your courses and grades
learn college entrance requirements
create and file report cards, awards/honors, school/community activities, volunteer hours
10th Grade Year:
take the PLAN & PSAT tests
start studying for the ACT/SAT
explore reasons you like different colleges such as programs offered, location, cost, size
take college tours
keep reading and improving study skills
11th Grade Year:
to colleges your junior year grades are very important
challenge yourself academically
take the ACT/SAT
know admissions requirements for your schools of interest
12th Grade Year:
be mindful that you will need to ask teachers for letters of recommendation and provide teachers with a stamped college addressed envelope
be prepared for early decision or early action college applications Oct 1-Nov 1
make transcript requests early and follow up to make sure they are done
do not procrastinate on essays
give essays to others for proofreading
consult counselor about scholarships
expect early decision replies Dec 1-31
college financial aid application & FAFSA between Jan 1-Feb 15
make sure parents completed their income tax returns
Apr 15 hear from colleges
decide on a college by May 1
determine when fees for tuition, room, and board are due and the amount they will cost
plan for student health insurance in case of emergencies
Freshmen Year:
think about your skills, values, interests and how they connect to careers
investigate internship opportunities
join clubs and organizations
keep your resume up-to-date with awards, scholarships, courses completed, workshops attended
develop relationships with professors
consult your advisor to make sure you are taking the right courses for your degree
consider your academic schedule before you commit to a part-time job
visit your college campus career center
attend career fairs
try out courses of interest
think of the best way to spend your summer
Great Resources to Explore:
CFNC http://www.cfnc.org
SAT Prep http://www.majortests.com/sat/
ACT Prep http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/
SAT Facts and Formulas for Math & Physics http://www.erikthered.com/tutor/
College Board http://www.collegeboard.org
Common Application for College Admission https://www.commonapp.org/CommonApp/default.aspx
17 Universities in North Carolina http://www.northcarolina.edu/campus_profiles/index.php
College Navigator http://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/
You Can...Choose a College That's Right for You http://www.ucan-network.org/
US News College Compass http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges
Free College Reviews http://www.unigo.com/
You University http://www.youniversitytv.com/
College Portrait http://www.collegeportraits.org/
HBCU Network http://www.hbcunetwork.com/
All About College http://www.allaboutcollege.com/
Campus Tours http://www.campustours.com/
College View http://www.collegeview.com/index.jsp
Community College Web http://www.mcli.dist.maricopa.edu/cc/
First in the Family http://www.firstinthefamily.org