List of 4 items.

• 9th Grade

  • Take five core classes!
  • Work hard! Remember that you begin compiling your cumulative numeric average this year.
  • Create a four-year plan with your grade chair. IF recommended, challenge yourself with appropriate advanced or honors courses.
  • At your winter conference, evaluate your academic record. Are you still on track for meeting your goals? Have your goals changed?
  • Keep a record of your extracurricular involvements.
  • Get to know your teachers and coaches.
  • Explore different extracurricular activities. Consider a mix of arts, athletics, and service.
  • Look into summer academic programs/service opportunities/jobs and internships.

• 10th Grade

  • Take five core classes!
  • Continue to work hard! Maintain good grades and if recommended, keep challenging yourself with appropriate advanced courses.
  • Evaluate your time-management skills. Make sure that you have a balance between school and extracurricular activities.
  • Take the PreACT and the PSAT at school. Do your best. You’re establishing a baseline.
  • Re-evaluate your course selection and academic progress. Are you still on track? Have your goals changed?
  • In February, attend Case Studies event for a better understanding of college admissions.
  • Enter your extracurricular involvements from freshman and sophomore year to SCOIR.
  • Visit colleges when you are traveling.
  • If you are considering a military academy, speak to a college advisor no later than March.
  • Look into summer academic programs/service opportunities/jobs and internships.

• 11th Grade

  • Take five core classes!
  • Continue to work hard! Earn the highest grades possible in the most challenging courses.
  • Take the PreACT and PSAT. The PSAT, and other criteria, could qualify you as a National Merit or Achievement Scholar.
  • Attend college fairs and meet with college representatives who visit our campus.
  • If you are considering a military academy, speak to a college advisor in August.
  • Meet your college advisor in November and complete junior conference forms in a timely manner.
  • In December, establish a baseline for the SAT and ACT. The preferred approach is to register and take both the actual SAT and ACT test.
  • In January, meet with your grade chair and college advisor to plan for senior year and discuss a list of colleges you’d like to explore.
  • Continue to enter your extracurricular involvement into SCOIR.
  • Use your spring and summer breaks to visit college campuses. Schedule visits for tours via college websites.
  • In April, meet with your college advisor.
  • Re-take your preferred test (SAT or ACT) in the spring or summer.
  • Continue with the extracurricular activities you love; seek depth not breadth.
  • Begin discussing finances as they relate to college choices with your parents.
  • Look into summer academic programs/service opportunities/jobs and internships.
  • Read interesting books and do something interesting over the summer. Both may provide great material for essays and/or interviews.
  • Plan to attend College Advising Workshops in early August.

• 12th Grade

  • Take five core classes!
  • Continue to work hard on your studies. Colleges care about your course work and grades throughout your entire senior year.
  • Create a spreadsheet with all application and scholarship deadlines as well as required documents for each school to which you plan to apply. You can download a template from Blackbaud.
  • If necessary, take the SAT or ACT again in the fall.
  • Meet with college representatives who visit our campus.
  • Visit the colleges you are serious about.
  • In August, meet with your college advisor to review your list of colleges.
  • Prepare and send applications, including your personal statement and supplemental essays, and send test scores. Adhere to guidelines and deadlines. Keep a record of everything.
  • Research and apply for financial aid and scholarships.
  • Read your mail/email for communications from colleges and respond accordingly in a timely manner.
  • By May 1, put an enrollment deposit down at the ONE school you plan to attend. Be sure to also complete and return any other forms including housing agreements.