Grade 9

September

• Minimum high school classes required for 4 year college:

English (4 years)
Math (3-4 years), Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry
Science (3 years), Lab Science
Foreign Language (2-3 years of the same language)
Visual Performing Arts (1 year)
Social Studies (3 years)

• Set up a study schedule 2 hours each day M,T,W,Th,Sun (work on developing reading, writing, math skills; work habits)
• Begin keeping a daily journal (good writing practice) throughout high school.
• Join “Explorers” Club(s) to explore careers and interests – For info – www.skcbsa.org/exploring, 436-7200 x234 or see Mr. Palazzo

October

• Don’t hesitate to ask for help.  Communicate with parents, teachers, counselor
• Attend college fairs (Columbus Suburban, Minority, etc.)

November

• Get involved in at least one extracurricular activity

December

• Start studying for your semester exams

January

• Research Summer Enrichment Programs that are on the college campuses

February

• Talk with your parents about career interests.  A thought about careers “Do what you love – the money will come.”

March

• Schedule classes for next year.  Keep in mind high school graduation requirements, college entrance requirements, and career interests

April

• Pre-register for Summer School; summer workshops/enrichment programs

May

• Get ready for final exams

June

• Study hard for final exams!

July & August

• Visit colleges
• Do community service
• Look into job shadowing

Grade 10

September

• Sign up for extra-curricular activities
• Get back into “study mode.”  Improve reading, writing, and math skills.  Develop work habits.  Keep daily journal.
• Register for the PSAT/NMSQT, especially if you are in honors, AP advanced courses, college bound.
• Join “Explorers” Club(s) to explore careers and interests – For info – www.skcbsa.org/exploring, 436-7200 x234 or see Mr. Palazzo

October

• Attend college fairs (Columbus Suburban, Minority, etc.)
• Take the PSAT/NMSQT

November

• Review your study habits!  Are you spending enough time studying?

December

• Research Summer Enrichment Programs that are on college campuses

January

• Review your grade point average after 3 semesters

February

• Make certain your high school course choices are appropriate for college and career interests

March

• Research PSAT, SAT I, and ACT prep courses
• Schedule classes for next year

April

• Pre-register for Summer School; workshops/enrichment programs

May

• Get ready for final exams

June

• Study hard for final exams!

July & August

• Visit colleges
• Do community service
• Job shadowing in areas(s) of interes

Grade 11

September

• Sign up for extra-curricular activities
• Think about goals, reasons for attending college and career plans
• Register for the PSAT/NMSQT with college counselor
• Join “Explorers” Club(s) to explore careers and interests – For info – www.skcbsa.org/exploring, 436-7200 x234 or see Mr. Palazzo
• Sign up and attend sessions with college reps who visit Darby High School

October

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT
• Attend college fairs (Columbus Suburban, Minority, etc.)

November

• Parents complete Financial Aid Need Estimator (opt) (can be done on line)
• Begin to compare important factors in choosing a college: two/four year, location, cost, atmosphere, majors available (make use of websites,
  e.g. www.collegeboard.com; peterson.com; usnews.com; nacac.com; catalogs, etc.)

December

• Research Summer Enrichment Programs that are on college campuses

January

• Review your grade point average after 5 semesters
• Register for SAT/ACT during 2nd semester
• Take ACT

February

• Parent Meeting (evening), testing, selection, (getting started)
• Parent Meeting (evening), (Post Secondary Enrollment Options)
• Send letters requesting information from colleges (maybe 15-20)
• Search college web-sites
• Plan some college visits
• Register for SAT/ACT

March

• Schedule classes for next year.  Continue to select challenging classes and courses that meet college requirements
• Advance Placement (AP) Info Meeting (evening) for students and parents
• On track for high school classes required for college:

English (4 years)
Math (3-4 years), Algebra I, Algebra II, Geometry (4 years strongly recommended)
Science (3 years), Lab Science
Foreign Language (2-3 years of the same language)
Visual Performing Arts (1 year)
Social Studies (3 years)

• Create a file for each college from which you receive information
• Consider using spring break for campus visits
• Take SAT

April

• College Search – College Visits
• Pre-register for summer programs, workshops, etc.
• Take ACT
• Line up some community service for the summer months

May

• Get ready – final exams!
• Take SAT Reasoning
• Using a “Comparative Chart”, list and examine things about the information you’ve gathered from schools

June

• Study hard – final exams!
• Take ACT, SAT Reasoning or SAT Subject Tests
• Visit colleges

July

• Do community service
• Read
• Work and/or volunteer in an area of career interest
• From all the schools you’ve received information, try to narrow down your choices to 5-7 possibilities (2 dream, 2 reach, 2 safety)
• Continue visiting colleges (…as part of vacation travel?)

Grade 12

September

• Request applications
• Pre-register for ACT/SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests (if needed)
• Know college and financial aid deadlines
• Senior College/Career Meeting (during school day)
• Parent Meeting, (College Application Process) (evening)
• Sign up and attend sessions with college reps who visit school
• Think about which teacher(s) you will ask to write college recommendations for you
• Try to narrow your choices down to 3-5 colleges to which you will actually apply (include “dream”, “reach”, and “safety” schools – don’t rule out schools because of cost…yet!)

October

• Attend Senior Seminar Parent Meeting,   (Scholarship & Financial Aid)
• Apply for admission.  Pay attention to application deadlines.
• Attend college fairs (Columbus Suburban, Minority, etc.)

November

• Visit the colleges.  Interview while on campus (some colleges require an interview).
• GOAL:  TURN IN APPLICATIONS
• Be aware of early decision/early action deadlines
• NCAA Info Meeting – College Bound Athletes & Parents

December

• Pick up financial aid applications in Guidance (FAFSA & PROFILE) or file online www.fafsa.ed.gov
• Give yourself and the college counselor plenty of time to meet deadlines

January

• Senior Parent Meeting, (Completing the FAFSA)
• Parents complete taxes and FAFSA
• Request mid-year reports to be send to colleges (if required)

February

• Review SAR Report
• Review all financial aid information from colleges; loan programs
• Start gathering local scholarship information available in the guidance office
• Update credentials/application for admission if you’ve improved

March

• Review the financial aid packages sent from the colleges; communicate with the schools
• Notify college counselor of your awards from colleges, agencies. etc

April

• You will be hearing from most colleges this month.  accepted?  denied?  wait listed?  Familiarize yourself with your options, know what to do.

May

• Respond to Colleges:  Decision Time!   …communicate with the school(s)!!!
• Notify Guidance Office of your choice of college.  Request final transcript be sent to your choice.
• Thank you note to all who helped in the process, e.g. recommendation writers

June

• Final high school transcript is sent to college choice