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College Planning Timeline |
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9th GRADE
- Sign up for strong classes and make studying your number-one priority.
- Work to your potential because the grades that you earn become part
of your Grade Point Average (GPA).
- Participate in extra-curricular activities.
- Begin to work on your service-hour commitment for graduation.
- Make your summer "meaningful". Consider summer school, a part-time
job, volunteer work, enrichment opportunities.
- Sign up for strong courses for 10th grade. Do you need
to go to summer school?
- When on vacation, drive through and walk around college campuses
just to get the feel of a large school, a small school, a far-away school,
different types of campuses, etc.
10th GRADE
- Take strong courses and continue to work to your full potential.
- Be a self-advocate, attend tutorials and do not let yourself fall
behind in your classes. Meet with teachers, when needed, to review
course work, tests and other academic work to "learn from your performance".
- Attend College Night. Begin to consider the various types of colleges
available and the types of programs that they offer.
- Sign up for the PSAT through a summer mailing usually sent in late
July by Sammie Walker, Testing Coordinator.
- Take the PSAT in October (10/21/03). You do not need to take
a preparatory course for this test in the sophomore year.
- Students who qualify for Special Education or ADA accommodations
and need those on the PSAT must see their counselor in late August or
early September to apply for them. Application deadline is usually
around September 10th. A student must be "using the accommodations
on a regular basis in the classroom" to meet College Board guidelines
for special testing.
- Use the results of the PSAT to determine strengths and weaknesses
in writing, verbal and math skills.
- Begin to visit colleges informally whenever you are near one during
a family trip or vacation.
- Make your summer "meaningful". Summer experiences are invaluable
for personal growth and add depth to a resume.
- Be your own best advocate.
- Work on service hours. Many college or scholarship applications
have major sections or their focus on community service.
- Take the TAKS seriously in February/April.
11th GRADE
- Focus firmly on grades. This is the last year to acquire a strong
GPA for college admissions applications next fall.
- Consider a PSAT prep course based on 10th grade results
if they showed potential for National Merit consideration. Otherwise,
use the 11th grade PSAT as a baseline score from which to
prep for next spring’s SAT’s and ACT’s.
- Apply in early September for special test accommodations if you regularly
use them in class & need them for the PSAT.
- Attend College Night. Talk to college representatives and begin
to establish contact with various schools of interest to you.
- Talk with college representatives when they visit the high school.
They can eventually be your "best friends" at the college admission
selection table when applications are reviewed.
- Sign up for the PSAT through a summer mailing usually sent in late
July by Sammie Walker, Testing Coordinator.
- Take the PSAT in October (10/21/03). National Merit Scholarship
Competition is determined from the junior-year PSAT.
- Consider an SAT/ACT prep course after receiving PSAT scores in December.
PSAT scores can be used as SAT predictors within approximate ranges.
They can also indicate areas of strength and weakness that students
can work on before taking the first SAT and ACT during the latter part
of the junior year.
- Complete a credit check with your counselor. Get on the Internet
and review specific course requirements for admission at colleges of
interest to you. You’ll be better prepared to select appropriate
senior-year courses if you do this research early.
- Register for strong senior classes. Course selection is very important
to most colleges. They want to see you challenging yourself in the
classroom. Your senior year schedule will be submitted as part of your
college applications next fall.
- Sign up to take both the SAT and the ACT in the spring of the junior
year. You can retest in the fall of the senior year.
- Check with your counselor for additional application forms if you
regularly use and will need special test accommodations.
- Take SAT II’s at the end of your junior year if appropriate
(based on your future college plans).
- Continue to work on service hours. Consider running for leadership
positions during your senior year.
- Get on the Internet and "investigate" the college home pages. Go
to http://isl-garnet.uah.edu/Universities/ You can get
to any college home page in the country through this website.
- Visit college campuses. Begin to narrow down choices. (Juniors are
allowed 4 days for college visits. See Handbook for details.)
- Take the TAKS seriously in February/April.
- Make your summer "meaningful". Consider internships, enrichment
programs on college campuses, work experiences, etc.
- Begin to develop your resume.
12th GRADE
- Sign up for the SAT, ACT or SAT II’s if necessary. Continue
test prep if appropriate.
- Make plans to visit college campuses of interest to you. (Seniors
are allowed 4 days for college visits. See Handbook for details.)
- Attend the senior group meeting with counselors for admission tips
and to review the college application process at HPHS.
- Become aware of application deadlines. Meet with your counselor
to finalize college application choices.
- Follow application directions for each college and mail all applications
on time (preferably by December 1st).
- Check on the financial aid and scholarship process at the colleges
you are considering. Meet application deadlines.
- Read the HPHS Senior Scot News every month to keep
abreast of college admission information, scholarship opportunities,
senior-year news, graduation information and transition tips for moving
from high school to college.
- Finish the senior year strong. College admission is based on "successful
completion of high school".
- Enjoy your senior year! You’ve earned it!
Revised 1/21/03
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