- Earn good grades (high school grades matter starting in 9th grade)
- Have good attendance
- Participate in opportunities that interest you: clubs, sports, activities, or academics
- Enroll in rigorous programs like AP/IB and CTE Pathways
- Be prepared and do your best when given the opportunity to take the PSAT or SAT because doing well can open the door to go to college or scholarships
- Meet with your counselor to create, review, and update your multi-year academic plan
- Review your “On Track to College Letter” twice a year to see how you are progressing in school, or use your academic planner in Infinite Campus
As you get into 11th grade, start preparing to apply to college.
- Explore possible colleges you might like to attend
- Look for opportunities to volunteer in the school or your community
- Talk with your counselor about how to apply to college
- Attend college fairs
- Go on college tours and visit colleges with your family
- Study for the SAT that you’ll take in the Spring
As a senior, work on your college application and consider studying for the SAT to earn an even higher score.
- Work with your counselor to apply to a variety of schools, some that you think you can definitely get into and some that are stretch or dream schools
- Scholarship Writing 101
- Submit your college applications by each deadline and make sure you submit a complete and accurate application
- Consider applying to a few more CSU’s or UC’s then you first planned to give you a few more options in the Spring
- Complete the Federal Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- If you plan to play a sport in college register at the NCAA Eligibility Center
