Fall 2008/Winter 2009 High School Planner
Freshman/Sophomore
*Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss classes and available activities.
*Plan which classes to take during high school. Challenge yourself to take more difficult courses.
*Join clubs and activities in your area of interest. Take leadership positions when possible.
*Start to build relationships with some of your favorite teachers, counselors and activity advisors who can write recommendations and serve as mentors later.
*Talk about saving for college with your parents/family.
*Search for scholarships and colleges using RFPs database.
*Attend a college fair; speak with campus representatives.
*Select a volunteer organization with which you'd like to become involved.
*Start to become familiar with standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT.
*Begin to think about a future college choice.
*Ask your high school counselor about contacting former students for future college advice.
*Research summer programs in your area of interest. Ask your counselor or teachers whether they know of any opportunities.
Junior
*Explore financial aid options and college planning with your
parents/family.
*Take the most challenging courses you can. Doing so will show an admissions office that you can compete on a college level.
*Continue to research prospective colleges.
*Use your Rotary Futures search results to visit prospective colleges'
Web sites.
*Attend college fairs and speak to campus representatives.
*Register and take the PSAT; prepare for the SAT/ACT.
*Visit the RFP portable to fill out profile and to search for scholarships.
*Take leadership roles in clubs, activities and other volunteer and service organizations.
*Consider which teachers, advisors or counselors you may want to have write your recommendations. Strengthen your relationship by providing a list of activities and accomplishments as a reminder of your work.
Senior
*Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid as soon as you can after January 1. Find the FAFSA online at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. You'll need a PIN (www.pin.ed.gov)to sign the FAFSA online.
*Request applications and brochures from your target colleges.
*Sign up for college entrance exams - the SAT and/or ACT. Check out the test prep information available through CollegeBoard, ACT and www.fastweb.com.
*Take honors or advanced classes. More challenging courses show that you are prepared for college coursework.
*Schedule interviews with prospective colleges. Practice your
interview skills before heading in for the actual interview.
*Set up a budget for college and application costs.
*Get your applications in order by creating files for target schools. Make a list of application requirements (essays, transcripts, recommendations, etc.) and deadlines for each. Consider creating your own personal timeline or calendar for this process.
*Request letters of recommendation from recent teachers, advisors and employers. Provide enough time so they can reply. Include a list of activities and accomplishments.
*Work on college application essays.
*Seek out jobs, internships and/or volunteer work in your community or through your school. In addition to being a rewarding experience, show an admissions office your commitment to improve your community.
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College Planning
