College Preparation

     Preparing for college is a demanding task and can often be exceptionally time consuming. This page outlines the steps that will help you prepare for college while in highschool.

     The steps here are outlined in order from freshman year all the way to senior year. If you make sure to follow these steps then you can ensure that you're on the right track for a successful future.

Click the links on the left to get started

Freshmen Year

  1. Request a list of approved classes meeting the requirements of four-year college/university, community, or technical college.
  2. See your school counselor and complete or update your four-year plan
  3. Make sure your fall and spring schedules of classes include career/college/major admission requirements
  4. Set your goals for success in your classes(grades) and personal life.
  5. Get involved in extracurricular activities, sports, and/or volunteer work.
  6. Visit the school College/Career Center to begin investigating college and career resources.
  7. Attend a Career Day, College Fair or visit a college campus
  8. Listen to speakers on the career area(s) of your interest
  9. Talk with your parents about your plans for life after high school
  10. Meet with your school counselor in the spring to plan which classes you will take during your sophmore year
  11. Enroll for Summer school classes if necessary
  12. Begin developing your portfolio for a college or a job

Sophmore Year

  1. Check your classes on your four-year plan and modify as needed
  2. Make sure your fall and spring schedules of classes include career/college/major admission requirements
  3. Explore careers by interviewing adults in occupations of interest
  4. Take a Career Interest Inventory and talk over the results with your school counselor or career center technician and parents
  5. Visit additional college campuses and attend college and career fairs
  6. Sign up for the PSAT in September or early October.
  7. Take PSAT in October
  8. Focus on your academic work and meet your goals for good grades
  9. Continue your extracurricular activities, sports, and/or volunteer work
  10. Plan summer activities for school, work, or community service
  11. Surf the Internet to locate college and financial aid information
  12. Meet with your school counselor in the spring to plan which classes you will take during your junior year, including any Advanced Placement classes and/or ROP classes
  13. Enroll for Summer school classes if necessary
  14. Add to your portfolio for a job or college application

Junior Year

  1. Check your classes on your four-year plan and modify as needed
  2. Make sure your fall and spring schedules of classes include career/college/major admission requirements
  3. Work on your grades and seek help when needed
  4. Visit more schools and colleges and attend college fairs
  5. Contact your Congressional Representative to apply for a military acedemy
  6. Sign up for PSAT in September or early October
  7. Take the PSAT in October
  8. Review PSAT scores in December and find teachers or tutors to help you improve in your weak areas
  9. Decide which Advanced Placement test you will take in March and register in the spring to take the ACT or SAT
  10. Meet with your school counselor in the spring to check your graduation requirements and enroll in your senior year classes, including Advanced Placement classes and/or ROP classes
  11. Enroll for Summer school classes if necessary
  12. Take Advanced Placement tests in May
  13. Continue your extracurricular activities, sports, and volunteer work. (Emphasize leadership positions)
  14. Discuss financing your future with your family and begin planning
  15. Investigate financial aid from Federal, State, and private sources
  16. Go online for college and school application forms and information in June
  17. In the summer, take a college class, volunteer for community service, or work
  18. Update your portfolio for a job or college application
  19. Begin working on college essays during the summer
  20. Athletes should file with NCAA Clearinghouse

Senior Year


August
  • Continue your extracurricular activities, sports, and/or volunteer work. (Emphasize leadership positions)
  • Continue doing well in your classes and getting good grades
September
  • Make sure your fall and spring schedules of classes include career/college/major admission requirements
  • Get applications for the colleges you wish to attend
  • Sign up for the ACT or SAT test, along with any required SAT Subject Tests
  • Surf the internet to locate college and financial aid information
  • Discuss ROP courses with your school counselor
October
  • Identify staff who can write strong recommendation letters for you
  • Finish essays for college admission
  • Attend College Fairs and make last visits to campuses
  • Begin submitting forms for private sources of financial aid
November
  • Submit admission applications (electronically preferred) to UC and/or CSU systems
  • Obtain recommendation letters by November 15th
  • Pick up the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application
  • Have your transcripts sent to requesting colleges
December
  • Last month to take the ACT or SATs
  • Review the FAFSA form with your family and begin completing it
  • Make last visits to colleges during vacation
  • Begin to send in independent college/university applications
  • Apply for PIN for use with FAFSA
January
  • Attend your school's or local college's financial aid night with your parents(emphasize FAFSA)
  • Register to take AP exams
  • Inquire about learning opportunities such as ROP and community colleges
  • If required by colleges, request 7th semester transcript be sent
February
  • Pursue scholarship information and apply for those scholarships for which you are qualified
  • File FAFSA no later than March 2
  • Check to see that your school sent your Cal Grant GPA Verification Form
  • Follow specific campus guidelines regarding housing
March
  • Apply to community colleges; take placements exams
  • Begin to plan your summer work, school, or volunteer activities
  • Decide which Advanced Placement test(s) to take
April
  • Register for summer classes at community colleges or ROP
  • Return intent to register forms to your chosen colleges before May 1st
  • Notify colleges you are not attending
May
  • ATHLETES: to play college athletics, you must be certified by NCAA
  • Take Analytical Writing Placement Examination if attending UC in fall
  • Take Advanced Placement test(s)
  • Register for summer programs at college campuses
  • Notify scholarship advisor of grants to be included in Awards Assembly
  • Return forms for on-campus orientation programs
  • Thank those who helped you succeed
  • Plan for high school graduation
June
  • Congradualtions-graduate!
  • Ensure that your school sent your final transcript to your chosen college
  • Begin life after high school