Do your best academically, your school record is very important.

Map out what classes you may want to take the next four years. Colleges recommend students take challenging courses.

Join clubs and activities in your area of interest.

Begin recording activities in a resume including hours, leadership roles and awards/recognitions.

Start building a relationship with teachers. This will help you with letters of recommendation.

All freshmen will take the ASPIRE test (pre-ACT) in the spring.

Begin family discussion on college costs.

Meet with your school counselor to discuss your four year plan.

Use summer vacation to get involved in employment, extracurricular activities, and/or volunteer work.

Continue to complete challenging courses and maintain good grades.

Become familiar with standardized tests you will need to take. All sophomores will take the ASPIRE (pre-ACT) in the fall. We also recommend that sophomores take the PSAT in October (pre-registration is required).

Look for leadership roles in clubs and activities. 

Start thinking about what college/career choice may be right for you.

Meet with your school counselor to discuss plans for the summer and next fall.

Continue your involvement in employment, extracurricular activities, and/or volunteer work.

Update your resume.

Continue to complete challenging courses and maintain good grades.

Attend a Junior Seminar with your parent/guardian(s) and counselor.

Review and understand high school graduation requirements and college admissions requirements.

Jumpstart your college search by reading about majors and careers –

Visit websites of schools of interest and request additional information as needed.

Begin campus visits and meet with college representatives in the student services office.

Register for and complete the PSAT/NMSQT (Pre-SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in October (pre-registration is required).

Register for the spring administration of the ACT and/or SAT and begin practicing for the tests.

Begin to familiarize yourself with college applications, what they require and what they ask

Attend the Financial Strategies for Post-Secondary Education Night in January to review your financial aid options.

Do a spring check in meeting with your counselor.

In late spring, take the Advanced Placement (AP) exams and/or SAT Subject Tests (if needed).

Plan summer activities early. Enrich yourself by volunteering, getting an interesting internship or job, or signing up for special summer learning programs

Continue to develop your resume

Continue to complete challenging courses and maintain good grades.

Double check credits/graduation requirements and request any necessary class changes.

Attend the senior college meeting in the beginning of the school year.

Register for the ACT/SAT/SAT Subject Tests (if applicable) for the September, October or November dates, if necessary.

Make an appointment with your counselor before beginning the application process.

Create a master calendar of important dates, deadlines, etc. (UW system schools start accepting applications on September 15.)

Update your resume/profile of activities, clubs, volunteer list, awards and honors, & work experience.

If letters of recommendation are needed, the person should have a minimum of two weeks notice. Follow up with a thank you note.

Attend college visits in the student services office.

Complete online applications & provide your counselor/teacher with supporting documents (high school report forms, teacher evaluations, etc.). Please allow at least two weeks for student services to prepare supporting documents.

Request transcripts through your Parchment account.

Each week, review scholarship opportunities and other scholarship searches. Paper copies of some scholarships can also be found in the student services office. 

If applicable, begin preparing application for the early decision deadline on November 1st.

All college applications should be submitted online by December 1st. Please see your counselor regarding applications submitted after December 1st.

Attend the Financial Strategies for Post-Secondary Education Night and complete the FAFSA after January 1st (October 1st starting in 2016).

Upon completion of first semester, submit mid-year reports if needed.

Submit the local scholarship application to student services.

March 1st is priority deadline for filing for financial aid.

Make decisions as to which school you'll attend, complete housing forms and other information.

Inform the student services office of your final college choice so that a final transcript will be sent. If you will not be attending college, please inform us of your plans after high school.