Preparing for College

If you plan to be a future College Boy or College Girl you have to be on the right track. While colleges only consider your high school grades, preparing for college can begin as early as the 7^th grade. No matter what grade you're in, it's never too late to decide that you want to pursue higher education and start taking the necessary steps. Here is a timeline of where you want to be in your quest for life after high school.

7th & 8th Grade | 9th & 10th Grade | 11th Grade | 12th Grade
In 7th & 8th Grade:
	Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.
	Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits.
	Practice setting goals and developing good study habits.
	Volunteer in your community. Volunteering can help make you a more rounded person and community involvement looks great on a college application.
	Take interest and skills assessments to help you begin thinking about possible career options.
	Talk with your guidance counselor and parents about careers that interest you.
	Create a tentative high school class plan.
	Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
In 9th & 10th Grade:
	Take your school work seriously! Your freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year grades will be considered when you begin to apply to college.
	Set goals for high school including graduation, extra-curricular activities, academic accomplishments
	Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers that interest you and match your skills and abilities.
	Talk with your guidance counselor about career options and the education required for those caress.
	Talk with your parents about saving and paying for college.
	Talk with friends, teachers, counselors and your parents about college.
	Make the PLAN in tenth grade to prepare for the ACT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.
	Make a list of careers and colleges that interest you
	Participate in extracurricular activities.
	Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.
	Explore internships and apprenticeships.
	Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
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In 11th Grade:
	Attend college and financial aid nights at your school (go with your parents if possible). These informative events are hosted by your guidance staff and be helpful in answering many of your questions about going to and paying for college.
	Mentor others and have a mentor for yourself. Having a mentor can provide you with one-on-one guidance and someone that can offer you experienced advice.
	Take the PSAT in the fall to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.
	Narrow down possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.
	Request materials from schools that interest you, and visit their Web sites.
	Consider earning college credit while in high school through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Post-secondary Enrollment Options or College in the Schools.
	Take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring.
	Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork and your grades. Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements.
	Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
	Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.
	Visit schools of interest to you
	Research private scholarship options
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In 12th Grade:
	Meet with your guidance counselor to review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.
	Consider earning college credit while in high school through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Post-secondary Enrollment Options or College in the Schools.
	Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you (if you haven't already done so).
	Take or retake the ACT and/or SAT in the fall.
	Select the schools to which you will apply. Make a list of important admissions and financial aid deadlines for each school.
	Attend a financial aid night.
	Participate in extracurricular activities.
	Create a resume of your academic, athletic and job activities as well as other achievements. Prepare a portfolio if you're interested in the arts.
	Search and apply for private scholarships.
	Ask for recommendations (if required) from teachers, counselors and others who can comment on your abilities and talents.
	Apply to four to six colleges that interest you. Do not wait until just before the deadline. **See below for tips with application essays
	Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1. You and your parents must complete your taxes before submitting the FAFSA.
	Stay focused on your grades. Although you've already submitted an application, you will have to submit a final transcript.
	Complete your scholarship applications. **See below for tips with application essays
	Contact the financial aid office of the college(s) to which you have applied to make sure that your information has been received, and that they have everything they need from you.
	If you haven't received an acceptance letter from the college (s) to which you applied, contact the admissions office.
	Compare your acceptance letters, financial aid and scholarship offers.
	When you choose a college that has accepted you, you may be required to pay a nonrefundable deposit for freshman tuition (this should ensure your place in the entering freshman class).
	Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams for any AP subjects you studied in high school.
	You should make a decision by May 1st as to which college you will be attending and notify the school by mailing your commitment deposit check. Many schools require that your notification letter be postmarked by this date.
	If you were placed on a waiting list for a particular college, and have decided to wait for an opening, contact that college and let them know you are still very interested.
	Have your school send your final transcripts to the college which you will be attending.
	Contact your college to determine when fees for tuition, room and board are due and how much they will be.
	Participate in any summer orientation programs for incoming freshmen.
	Now that you know you will be attending college in the fall, it is a good idea to evaluate whether to get student health insurance in case of any unforeseen emergencies or whether your family's insurance coverage is sufficient.
	Get a summer job intership or apprenticeship.
	Start gathering the items you will need for class and your dorm. Each school will have different requirements and regulations to what you can bring but for a sample dorm room checklist, click here http://www.majorsexplored.com/guidance/wspacking.pdf
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Application Essays
** Some colleges, especially private institutions require admission essays. Most scholarships also require an essay. Check out these sites below for sample essays and editing services.
www.essayedge.com/ www.collegeapps.about.com/od/essays/a/collegeessay.htm http://www.antiessays.com/
Notice: CHOP is in no way encouraging plagiarism by providing these resources. They are meant solely to be a source of guidance.
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