What Should Be Happening

Click on the link below to see a timeline of activities a student should pursue during that particular grade year.

Freshman Year
Sophmore Year
Junior Year
Fall of Senior Year
Winter of Senior Year
Spring of Senior Year

Freshman Year

• Complete a tentative four-year plan for courses to take in grades 9 through 12.  This will be done during the freshman year in your guidance class.
  
• Decide what type of graduation diploma you would like to strive to achieve.
  
• Begin community service activities.  Document any kinds of volunteer work or jobs you have held as these will be needed for your college/job resume.  Special forms can be picked up in the Guidance Office for this documentation.
  
• Begin to conduct some research into potential careers and post-secondary institutions.
  
• Receive summer school information if you have any failed classes during the school year and need to make them up.
• Begin practicing for the Ohio Graduation Test that you will begin to take your sophomore year.  See guidance for some practice materials.
• Get involved in your school either in sports, band, chorus, musicals, clubs, etc.
  
• Develop great study skills that will help you throughout your high school career.

Sophomore Year

• Take the most challenging course of study available
  
• Begin to look for leadership roles in clubs/activities
  
• Continue development of service activity
  
• Strengthen relationships with peers, teachers, counselors, activity moderators, and employers-they will be writing recommendations for you down the road!
  
• Testing
  - Check out policies/opportunities at your school
  - Take the PLAN Test in November
  - Take the PSAT Test in October
  
• Go to college fairs
  
• Continue working on study habits and note-taking skills
  
• Review cost factors for college and investigate options
  
• Job shadow if possible
  
• Refine/Revise/Update your resume. Keep it simple!
  
• Continue discussing post high school plans with counselor and parent/guardians

Junior Year

• Take the most challenging academic program available
  
• Demonstrate leadership and responsibility in community and school
  
• Begin a list of colleges
  
• Gather career information - job shadow or see if your school offers a career day
  
• Make the most out of your part time job
  
• Talk with college reps and ask them questions
  
• Attend evening information sessions about college that occur in your area
  
• Go to college fairs
  
• Discuss testing plan with your counselor
  
• Register, prepare for, and take the PSAT/NMSQT in October
  
• Check out free scholarship searches
  
• Make college visits if your high school permits them
  
• Begin to consider which teachers, moderators, or employers you might use if you need recommendationsContinue talking with your parents/guardians and your counselor about your plans
  
• Request information from colleges
  
• Take the SAT offered March 12th April 1, May 6, and June 3
  
• Research scholarship opportunities
  
• Continue discussing college finances with parents/guardians
  
• Arrange to meet with College Financial Aid Representative
  
• Take the ACT offered April 8 or June 10
  
• Attend college fairs
  
• Athletes- get NCAA Guide
  
• Look for summer job opportunities
  
• Update resume
  
• Save summer earnings for college
  
• Request private scholarship applications

Fall of Senior Year

• GET ORGANIZED!  Have a special box where you keep all the college information.  Make copies of any applications you send out and file them.  File all correspondence with colleges you are interested in attending.
• Application Organizer--a super worksheet to print out and keep with you to make sure everything is in on time to the proper places during your college application process
• Talk with counselor/parents
• Visit college representatives at your school
• Request college info (including financial aid/housing)
• Begin to file rolling admission/regular decision apps
• Keep copies of apps and forms sent to colleges
• Write essays/line up recommendations (if needed)
• Send test scores and transcripts to college
• Request financial aid applications from colleges
• Register for CSS/Financial Aid Profile if necessary (see your guidance counselor
• Keep checklist - MEET DEADLINES!
• Finish early decision applications
• ACT offered October 22
• SAT I offered October 8 & November 5

Winter of Senior Year

• Get FAFSA form - from counselor, college, or online (not available until December)
• SAT offered December 3
• ACT offered December 10th
• Receive Early Admission/Early Decision I decisions
• Finish Regular Decision and Rolling Admission Applications
• Send mid-year reports, if necessary
• Rank schools where you've applied for preference
• Get all financial documents in order
• Complete FAFSA before February 1, if possible
• Attend local financial aid information night, if available
• Keep grades up - it matters!
• Review SAR (Student Aid Report) carefully
• Review financial aid packages
• Visit schools where accepted, if needed
• Make final decision - mail deposit to ONE school
• Notify, in writing, all schools of your choice
• If wait listed, contact admissions office if still interested
• Contact financial aid office if you have any special financial aid circumstances
• Make sure you meet all financial aid requirements

Spring of Senior Year

• Notify colleges of any private scholarship awards
• Request final transcript to be sent to college
• Follow procedure for college housing and orientation
• Analyze projected first year college budget
• Check banking option in college town