College Planning
Start planning your future today.
The value of a good education is inestimable because, like the ripple caused by a stone tossed into the water, its effects are exponential. People with a post-secondary education have the best chance to earn a decent wage. They can then better support their own families and contribute to the economic strength of the community in which they live and work. A strong community can then better support its most vulnerable citizens, from at-risk children to fragile seniors.
Higher education does have a price and finding a way to pay for it can be a daunting challenge. Helping students, regardless of age, explore educational pathways and achieve their dream of going to school is the purpose and the mission of the Rotary Futures College Resource Center.
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College Readiness Checklists
9th Grade Checklist
10th Grade Checklist
11th Grade Checklist
12th Grade Checklist
Advice on what to accomplish each year in high school.
- Identify challenging high school courses that are right for you and plot out your desired curriculum
- Learn about clubs/organizations that may be of interest
- Pay attention to events and types of leadership roles
- Think about why you want to attend college
- Be open to various career interests
- Read and build vocabulary
- Practice writing vignettes about your experiences
- Checklist for Freshman Year
- Continue with a rigorous curriculum; review grades, study skills
- Take notes on colleges and points of interest
- Register on college sites to be notified of visits in the area
- Explore “job shadow” opportunities in areas of interest
- Plan to run for office or assume a leadership role
- Develop and implement a project to explore interests, skills, talents
- Utilize summer for SAT/ACT test prep
- Pay attention to all of the points from Freshman year, too
- Checklist for Sophomore Year
- Select rigorous classes and maintain strong grades
- Seek out and further develop leadership roles in various aspects of your life
- Take the PSAT or PLAN in the Fall, possibly the SAT and ACT
- Take the SAT and ACT by the beginning of and at the end of Spring
- Plan for a meaningful and productive summer
- Pay attention to all of the points from Freshman and Sophomore year
- Checklist for Junior Year
- Continue rigorous curriculum, possibly extending to local college
- Apply for college EARLY in the fall, prior to Nov 1
- Apply Early Action whenever possible (different from Early Decision)
- Meet college reps through local visits, social media, email
- Seek out scholarships
- BE AWARE OF ALL DEADLINES
- Follow up on the receipt of applications, transcript, test scores at each individual college
- Attend “Accepted Student” events
- Send your deposit and final transcript to your chosen college!
- Checklist for Senior Year