College Planning Checklist
Freshman Year
Freshman Year
Freshman year is important. A successful transition to high school life can be an important indicator of future success. The theme for freshmen year is Who Am I? Academic planning, career exploration, adjustment to the role of a young high school adult, and involvement in school events are the areas of concentration for the incoming high school student.
The profile of a successful freshman student includes the following:
- Understanding of graduation requirements, the importance of a high school transcript, GPA, rank-in-class and grading periods (semesters)
- Understanding of support systems and/or resources offered
- Understanding of athletics/activities offered
- Understanding of the importance of participating in community service
- Participation in grade level tasks as part of college and career readiness curriculum
- Ability to set realistic, future goals for post-secondary success
A student who strives to meet these requirements will find high school to be a rewarding and enjoyable experience.
FRESHMAN CHECKLIST
FALL OF 8TH GRADE YEAR
- Take placement assessment (PSAT 8/9)
- Complete Career Cluster Finder Assessment
WINTER OF 8TH GRADE YEAR
- Attend Freshman Orientation
- Begin pre-registration with high school counselors
SUMMER BEFORE 9TH GRADE YEAR
- Participate in Enter with Pride
FALL
- Join athletic/club activities
- Attend Freshman Essentials presentations
- Participate in SOS activity as part of Health class
- Learn how to log on to Naviance
- Complete Cluster Finder assessment in Naviance
- Parents: Attend Open House – 9th Grade Level presentation
WINTER
- Complete Course Selection with counselor (Post-secondary education/career plans, 4 year plan)
- Attend Freshman Essentials presentation
SPRING
- Visit the College and Career Center.
- Consider summer school enrollment
- Review course selections for 10th grade
- Athletes considering playing sports at the college level should inform their counselor and coach.
- Take PSAT 8/9 exam
- Complete 9th grade exit survey
- Attend Freshman Essentials presentation
Sophomore Year
SOPHOMORE YEAR
Sophomores move from the adjustment phase of freshman year to a deeper understanding of the high school system and their role in post-secondary planning. The theme for sophomore year is Career Exploration with the focus on personal strengths, skills and interests. Sophomores will explore post-secondary options as it relates to personal career pathways. Continuing to build a strong GPA/class rank and taking rigorous courses is stressed.
The profile of a successful sophomore includes the following:
- Understanding of Dual Credit and AP courses
- Identifying electives offered as it relates to personal career pathways
- Understanding and utilization of support systems and resources offered
- Participation in athletics and/or activities offered
- Understanding of the importance of participating in community service
- Participation in grade level tasks as part of college and career readiness curriculum
- Ability to set realistic, future goals for post-secondary success
SOPHOMORE CHECKLIST
- Check on summer school grades (See if they were received and recorded)
FALL
- Continue participation in athletic and/or activities
- Visit and utilize services provided in the College and Career Center (CCRC)
- Complete Do What You Are assessment in Naviance
- Analyze Do What You Are assessment (along with Cluster Finder results) in connection to possible career interests
- Learn how to search careers in Naviance
- Explore career options
- Attend Financial Aid Presentation
- Parents: attend Open House – 10th Grade Level presentation
WINTER
- Complete Course Selection with counselor (Post-secondary education/career plan and update original 4 year plan)
- Fill out the NCAA Clearinghouse form if considering a Division I or Division II school
SPRING
- Consider summer school enrollment
- Review course selections for 11th grade year
- Attend Sophomore Essentials presentation
- Register for College Board account and create a Khan Academy account to prepare for PSAT 10 exam
- Identify minimum of three career interests
- Take PSAT 10 exam
- Complete 10th grade exit survey
Junior Year
JUNIOR YEAR
Junior year is a significant year. For many students, the balance of managing courses, preparing for college exams, and college planning activities can be a challenge. This year, there continues to be an emphasis on the importance of GPA/class rank and taking rigorous courses while heightening opportunities to facilitate post-secondary decision-making and planning. The theme for junior year is Action Plan Development. This process includes guiding students to seek relative and current information pertaining to their post-secondary options (2 year college, 4 year college, military, technical/trade school or work).
The profile of a successful junior student includes:
- Enrollment in dual credit/AP courses
- Identifying electives offered as it relates to personal career pathways
- Understanding and utilization of support systems/resources offered
- Continued participation in athletics/activities offered
- Participation in community service
- Participation in grade level tasks, as part of college and career readiness curriculum
- Ability to set realistic, future goals for post-secondary success
JUNIOR CHECKLIST
SUMMER BEFORE 11TH GRADE YEAR
- Check on summer school grades (See if they were received and recorded)
FALL
- Continue participation in athletic and/or activities
- Attend College Night at WCC or other college fair
- Utilize resources provided in the College and Career Center (CCRC)
- Visit the library to meet with college reps
- Consider and plan college campus visits
- Participate in PSAT if 4 year college bound immediately after high school
- Participate in ASVAB if interested in the military after high school
- Attend Financial Aid presentation
- Learn how to navigate features of Naviance, and research colleges/list colleges of interest for post-secondary planning
- Parents: attend Open House – 11th Grade Level presentation
WINTER
- Begin brainstorming possible target colleges, universities or other post-secondary options
- Explore college entrance requirements
- Sign-up for the SAT Boot Camp
- Consider taking an official SAT or ACT exam (prior to State testing day in spring))
- Consider and plan college campus visits
- Make sure you can access your College Board account
- Use Khan Academy to prepare for SAT
- Interpret/Analyze results of ASVAB or PSAT exams from fall (if applicable)
- Be sure to fill out the NCAA Clearinghouse form if you are considering a Division I or Division II school
- Continue to visit the CCRC
- Continue to visit the library to meet with college reps
- Create a personal statement
- Attend SAT Boot Camp
SPRING
- Consider and plan any spring break campus visits
- Begin listing target colleges on a comparison worksheet
- Request publication materials from target colleges
- Pre-register with counselor
- (Post-secondary education/career plan, update your original 4-year plan)
- Take official SAT exam on school day as part of state testing/graduation requirement
- Consider summer school enrollment
- Take AP exams, if appropriate
- Attend Junior Essentials presentation
- Complete 11th grade exit survey which includes the creation of a resume
Senior Year
SENIOR YEAR
Senior year is an exciting year, as students prepare to transition for life after high school. The theme for senior year is Execution of Action Plan. It is important for students to continue strong study habits in order to maintain a solid GPA and class rank and continue to take challenging courses in order to best prepare for post-secondary options. Seniors should review progress towards graduation, address any concerns, follow through with procedures needed for implementation of post-secondary plan; this includes understanding of application process, meeting deadlines for college admissions, NCAA, scholarships, testing and financial aid. This is a reflective time as students can now look back on how they have matured, but there is still work to be done as students prepare for the next phase of their life.
The profile of a successful senior includes:
- Enrollment in Dual Credit and AP courses
- Discussion and evaluation of post-secondary plans
- Understanding and utilization of support systems and resources offered
- Continued participation in athletics and activities offered
- Continued participation in community service
- Participation in grade level tasks as part of college and career readiness curriculum
- Ability to set realistic, future goals for post-secondary success
SENIOR CHECKLIST
- Check on summer school grades (See if they were received and recorded)
- Attend Senior Workshop in August
FALL
- Continue participation in athletic and/or activities
- Consider ACT/SAT re-takes and/or SAT subject tests
- Consider and plan college campus visits
- Participate in senior interview with counselor
- Visit the College and Career Center (CCRC)
- Visit the library to meet with college reps
- Attend College Night at WCC
- Attend Senior Meeting in October
- Determine target colleges to apply and deadlines
- Request and gather teacher recommendations
- Submit college applications, transcripts and college entrance exams (ACT and/or SAT) to be eligible for early admission
- Update post-secondary plans in Naviance
- Check for scholarships in Naviance
- Order cap and gown for graduation
- Attend Financial Aid Presentation and FAFSA workshop
- Complete FAFSA on-line, which opens on October 1st
- Parents: Attend Open House – 12th Grade Level presentation
WINTER
- Make sure all college applications and supplemental material are submitted
- Be sure to fill out the NCAA Clearinghouse form if you are considering a Division I or Division II school
SPRING
- Plan campus visits to help with final decisions
- Compare award letters and financial aid options
- Send the required deposit to the school of your final choice and also notify the schools you won’t be attending
- Take AP exams, if appropriate
- Stay up-to-date on housing choices. Other important questions to answer: When is freshman orientation? When are placement tests? When is course registration?
- Attend Graduation/Senior Meeting
- Participate in Senior Activity Day
- Attend Senior Honors Night
- Request a final transcript be sent to your final college choice and log final college in Naviance
- Complete 12th grade senior exit survey in Naviance