College Resources

• Be in school everyday
• Having good attendance is crucial to academic success
• Set goals for yourself and write them down
• Work on developing your time management skills
• Get involved
• Find one or more extracurricular activities that interest you and don’t hesitate to get involved
• Use NAVIANCE’s Resume Builder to keep track of your extracurricular and volunteer activities
• Take the PSAT9 test in October
• Attend Freshman Retreat at Carolina Creek
• Talk to college admission representatives at the annual LSA College Fair
• Get familiar with NAVIANCE and use to research colleges, careers and to keep track of your activities.
• Complete any counselor assigned activities on NAVIANCE.

• Continue the good habits you began in 9th grade
• Consider submitting an application to be LSA’s representative to HOBY (The Hugh O’ Brian Youth Leadership Conference)
• Take the PSAT test in October
• Use your PSAT score reports to target areas for improvement
• Promote school & class spirit- get involved in Spirit Week
• Continue to document your extracurricular involvements and other activities in Naviance's Resume Builder
• Get involved in a meaningful community service activity (this will be required for NHS selection and membership)
• Attend the LSA College Fair and begin a preliminary list of schools you might be interested in
• Update your list in NAVIANCE
• Look for NHS invitations in January or February

FALL SEMESTER

• Attend college presentations on campus
• (Check NAVIANCE for dates & times & to sign-up)
• Plan to use your two ‘College Visit Days” to explore as many schools as possible– check the Enrichment section on the College Tab in NAVIANCE for special event days
• Continue extracurricular commitments– take on a leadership position, create or spearhead a new project, or take an active role in the group. Volunteer to help with Spirit Week
• Get involved in a meaningful community service activity
• Take the PSAT/MNSQT in October
• Start gathering more specific information about colleges through attending college conferences or open houses, visiting with college representatives. Talk to friends, alumni and educators about possible college choices. Attend the LSA College Fair.
• Put together an inventory of what you want in a college. What do you like to do?
• What activities, courses of study and extracurricular activities do you like? Would you be comfortable at a small or large college? Diverse or homogeneous student body? Liberal or conservative? Hot or cold climate? Close to home or far away?
• Use NAVIANCE to research colleges.
• Visit the websites of colleges
• Use the Personalized Study Plan from your PSAT results to practice and prepare for your SAT.
• Use Naviance Test Prep (NTP) or Khan Academy to practice for the SAT and /or ACT

SPRING SEMESTER

• Modify and update college list in NAVIANCE as your interests become clearer
• Schedule your Junior Conference with your counselor
• Review your transcript and standardized test scores. Conference with your counselor to get a general idea how selective your college choices should be
• Select courses for the senior year. Look online at the admission requirements for your college choices.
• Register for the SAT www.collegeboard.org and/or ACT with Writing Component, www.actstudent.org
• Consult the admissions website for the colleges you are considering to determine if SAT Subject Tests are required for admission.
• Campus visits schedule interviews and appointments well in advance of your trip.
• Review material about the college before you visit. When on campus, talk to students, sit in on classes, eat in the cafeteria, and/or schedule an overnight visit.
• Try to get a sense of the college atmosphere, both social and academic.
• Research summer opportunities. Many universities offer juniors the chance to participate in summer programs on their campuses. Some are career/major related and others are leadership type programs.
• Begin researching scholarship opportunities and make a list of those you plan to apply for (see list in NAVIANCE)
• Continue to narrow your list of schools.
• Take AP Exams in May and SAT Subject Tests (usually in June) if required by any of your college choices.
• If you are interested in U.S. military academies or ROTC programs, request applications from your U.S. Senator or Representative.
• Athletes interested in playing college athletics should register with the NCAA Clearinghouse www.ncaa.org and the NAIA www.PlayNAIA.org and/or begin contacting Division III coaches.

SUMMER

• Jobs, volunteer work, special summer programs or summer school
• Register for the fall SAT or ACT if you plan to take either test again
• Use PrepMe to prepare for fall tests
• Make more college visits
• Continue researching scholarship opportunities
• Prepare a resume (this will make completing your college applications in the fall easier)
• Look at the essay topics on www.applytexas.org and www.commonapp.org or some of the scholarships you have targeted and begin drafting one or two essays. Having your essays done will expedite the application process and reduce stress next fall.

• Begin locating online applications. All Texas public universities use ApplyTexasavailable at www.applytexas.org. Many private universities use the Common Application at www.commonapp.org. Check individual college websites for applications.
• Complete your Senior Brag Sheet in Naviance.
• Ask teachers if they are willing to write a recommendation for you. If they agree, go online to your Naviance account and request a recommendation. This can be found under the College Tab and Schools I Am Applying to.
• Review with your counselor your college choices.
• Take the October or November SAT Reasoning Test or ACT with writing component if needed.
• Register for the December SAT Subject Tests if needed.
• Request transcripts online through NAVIANCE a minimum of two weeks prior to application deadline.
• Work on your personal essay.
• Ask if any faculty members can review your work.
• Schedule any remaining campus visits and interviews.
• Submit early decision/early action applications. Most early deadlines are Nov. 1.

November - December

• Attend the LSA College Fair
• Make a chart with all requirements for each college or use one found in the Toolbox at http://usnews.com/organizer. Include deadlines for standardized test scores, transcripts, recommendations, applications, financial aid forms, etc. Be thorough! Record the date each item is submitted. Keep copies of all paperwork and correspondence.
• Complete all applications. Make copies of any paper applications that you submit.
• Note that housing applications are typically separate. Check with the admissions office of each college to determine the process to apply.
• Secure all financial aid forms. Begin compiling information.

• File FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) forms if applying for federal and/or state financial aid (fafsa.ed.gov). Link available on Family Connection.
• Give your counselor any forms requiring submission of senior mid-­year grades.

March - May

• You’re on the home stretch! After you have received all college acceptance or rejection letters, notify the college that you decide to attend. Be sure to send the deposit
• Notify all other colleges to which you have been accepted.
• Complete the Graduation Survey online in NAVIANCE indicating your choice of college and any scholarships awarded.
• Take AP Tests in May and have scores reported to your college.
• Send thank you letters to the people who have assisted you.

Congratulations and best wishes in college!