Read! Read! Read! This is the #1 method for improving your reading, writing and critical thinking skills.
During High School
9th Grade
Enroll in challenging classes that will satisfy college requirements. Challenging coursework will prepare you to succeed in college.
Introduce yourself and get to know your career or college counselor.
Continue your involvement in community service activities. Keep track of your event participation.
Become involved in school organizations.
Get organized! (Keep a folder on all college items and include college brochures.)
10th Grade
Check in with your counselor and make sure that you are enrolling in college prep courses.
Run for office (President, Vice President, Secretary, etc.) in a school or extra-curricular activity in which you are involved (church, student council, band, etc.).
Check it out! Get online and check out cool careers. For example, try visiting careers.org.
Double check! Make sure that you are taking the necessary courses for admission to the colleges in which you are interested.
Register early to take your Pre SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). See your guidance counselor – you just might qualify for a waiver.
11th Grade
Continue taking college prep classes and keep up the good grades. You’ll be glad you did.
Start with you! Visit assessment.com and take the MAPP test. Make lists of your abilities, social/cultural preferences and personal qualities. List things you may want tostudy and do in college.
Attend day and evening college fairs. Introduce yourself to the recruiter and ask questions! If you attend an evening fair, take your parents. (There’s information they need to know about.)
Consider people to ask for letters of recommendation (teachers, counselors, employers, church leaders, etc.) Be sure that these same people know who you are, know what your dreams/goals are, and can honestly assess your potential.
Spring to it! Register to take the SAT and/or ACT during the Spring Semester. This is the perfect first time to take it!
12th Grade
Beware of Senioritis! Keep your grades up. College and universities will look at all of your senior year grades.
Register and retake the SAT and/or ACT and any other exams required for admission to the colleges/universities for which you are applying.
Email or call colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about admission and financial aid requirements and deadlines (early decision, early action, rolling admission, etc.)
Prepare your applications carefully. Follow the instructions and pay close attention to deadlines. It’s your responsibility – not anyone else’s – to submit all necessary documents (letters of recommendation, official transcripts, etc.)
Recommendation Letters. Make sure the person writing the letter on your behalf truly knows you well. Be courteous and give them a self-addressed, stamped envelope along with the requirements. Provide them with at least one month notice and friendly reminders once a week. Be sure to send them a hand-written “thank you” note for their time and help.
Just do it! Research college costs and financial aid opportunities. Call COSTEP to help you fund your college education.
After High School
Fall
When calling or emailing colleges, request financial aid information, including what forms to file and their respective due dates. Be sure to ask which are the “post date” and “received by” deadlines. Mark your calendar with these dates.
All colleges/universities ask that you fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and some require the CSS/Financial Aid Profile. In addition, ask if your college requires their own financial aid forms.
Obtain the contact information (name, telephone number, email address, etc.) of the Freshman Financial Aid Counselor, if the college has designated one.
Spring
Register for your Personal Identification Number (PIN) in early January by logging on to the U.S. Department of Education’s website, pin.ed.gov. Your parents will need their own PIN, too! They can sign up at the same web address.
Have your parents complete their income tax returns as soon as possible. You need to use their current-year tax information, including their W-2s, to fill out the FAFSA. Estimation and/or using last year’s income tax return will cause delays. Check with the financial aid office at your college.
