High School Checklists
Use the checklist that corresponds with your year school year to help you prepare for college and life after high school.
Freshman Year Checklist
- 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
Sophomore Year Checklist
- 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
Junior Year Checklist
- 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
Senior Year Checklist
- 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!
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