Freshman Year
When you enter the 9th grade, everything starts to “count.” All of your freshman courses, grades, and credits will be on your transcript, and your freshman grades will be used to determine your GPA. Freshman activities, honors, and awards can also be listed on college and scholarship applications.

As a freshman, become involved in activities, establish good study habits, and work hard to get good grades.

Sophomore Year
In addition to working hard in school and being involved in a variety of activities, try to identify your abilities, interests, and aptitudes. Consider taking the PSAT if it is offered at your school. See your counselor for information.

Junior Year
The 11th grade is when you should take college tests, make college visits, and start searching for scholarships.

Find out if your high school or a college close to you offers College Now courses, or summer programs, where you can gain college credit for free, or low cost, while still in high school. Taking these types of classes shows that you are motivated and up for a challenge, colleges will look highly upon this when considering your application.

October - take the PSAT. Students with very high scores on this test will be considered for National Merit Scholarships.

March to June - Take the ACT (www.actstudent.org) and/or the SAT (www.collegeboard.com).

Senior Year
Your senior year is when your hard work and planning pay off. Complete your applications in the fall, and be aware of deadlines.

September - Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans. Go over your ACT and /or SAT scores with your counselor to determine if you need to retake either of these tests.

October - Complete college admissions, and scholarship applications. Be sure to apply to at least one “safety school.” (This is a college that you know you’ll be admitted to and one that you can definitely afford.) Retake the ACT and/or SAT if necessary.

December - You and your parents will need to complete a FAFSA (www.fafsa.ed.gov). Encourage your parents to submit the FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.

April/May - Decide which college to attend. Send in your housing deposit, sign and return award letters, and, as a courtesy, notify the other colleges of your decision.