Planning Ahead for Post-High School Education
Preparing for your post-high school education cannot start too soon.
Follow the links below to start planning now
Freshman Year
- Establish a good foundation in english, math, science, social studies and possibly a foreign language.
- Explore activities offered by the school and community - sports, clubs, service organizations, debate, music, drama and academic clubs.
- Get involved in volunteer work. Selective colleges will look for extra-curricular activities and well rounded resumes.
- Establish a good GPA.
Sophomore Year
- Continue with college-prep courses. Keep up to date in your studies.
- Maintain a good GPA.
- Appreciate diversity in people, activities and experiences.
- Look at test results (DAT and PLAN).
- Set up a strategy with a counselor for academic and career counseling.
Junior Year
- Take academically challenging courses.
- Assume leadership roles. Be of service whenever you can.
- Be selective in your activities. If you work, pay attention to the hours. You need time to think, study and explore.
- Take the PSAT as a qualifying test for many scholarships and practice for college entrance tests.
- Access college information via the internet. Explore college catalogues. Review college reference guides. Access information from the computers (room 220) about the colleges in which you are most interested.
- Consult a guidance counselor.
- Attend college fairs at area schools and on college campuses.
- Talk to college representatives.
- Schedule interviews and campus visits for July and August.
- Take ACT/SAT in June.
Senior Year
- Consult counselors for academic and career planning.
- Complete college entrance exams (ACT and/or SAT) by October, as recommended.
- Continue high achievement in courses to sustain admission to college.
- To meet the January 1 deadline for some colleges, turn in applications before Christmas vacation.
- Pick up FAFSA (financial aid) forms for college after January 1.
- Check scholarship bulletin regularly for opportunities to get assistance for college tuition.
- Notify the Resistrar of all awards and scholarships received.