WHEN TO BEGIN
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WHAT TO DO
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HOW TO DO IT
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7th & 8th Grade,
Freshman & Sophomore Years
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Become familiar with college entrance requirements and continue career exploration activities. Which courses in your high school curriculum satisfy college requirements? Do you have a plan for extra-curricular involvement? Become involved in community service.
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Work with parents, teachers, and counselors to create a four-year high school curriculum plan to satisfy your goals. Try job shadowing. Get involved with school and community activities. Study hard and often, and earn good grades! Do some online research about schools and careers. Work on your ILP.
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September through January of Junior Year
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Think about your reasons for going to college. What are your goals? What learning opportunities are most important? Do your college plans include career plans?
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Talk with parents, teachers, counselors, and friends. Investigate possible career options and degree level required. Attend the LHS Future Fair to talk to college and job reps. Work on your ILP.
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December through May of Junior Year
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Prepare and register for college admission tests (ACT or SAT) if planning for a four-year school. Work through practice questions and tests! This is the best way to prepare for these tests and earn a higher score. Attend test prep sessions that your school or community may offer.
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Check out the dates for registration. Registration materials can be obtained in the guidance office or you can register online. It is recommended that juniors take the ACT or SAT at least once near the end of their junior year.
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January through March of Junior Year
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Identify important factors in choosing a college. Two-year or four-year? Location? Cost? Kind of atmosphere? Variety of study programs available? Entrance test requirement?
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Focus on your goals and career interests. Consult college guidebooks in your school’s guidance office. Explore colleges on the Internet. Prepare for your college admission test. Work on your ILP.
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March through August of Junior Year
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List colleges you are considering and collect information. Have you included all possible choices? What information do you need? How can you get it?
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Attend college fairs and college night programs. Prepare for and visit colleges. Take appropriate college admission test.
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August through December of Senior Year
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Compare the colleges on your list. Take the appropriate college admissions test at least one more time. Have you weighed college pros and cons carefully? Which college will meet your needs? Have you earned the admission test score that you need?
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Continue visiting colleges. Organize your information into detailed, useful comparisons. Register for college admission test. Attend test prep sessions that your school or community may offer.
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September through January
of Senior Year
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Apply to your “choice” colleges. Search and apply for any available scholarships. Do you have all the necessary forms? Are you sure of application deadlines?
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Obtain application forms in your counselor’s office or online. Observe deadlines. Submit transcripts and test scores.
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October through
December of
Senior Year
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Apply for financial aid. Have you investigated all possible sources of aid? Have you filed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)?
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Consult the guidance office for applications. Complete the FAFSA after October 1st. Complete it by the end of December at the latest.
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February through May of Senior Year
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Continue to search for an apply for scholarships. Make some final decisions. What additional preparation might be useful? Do you feel comfortable with your final choice?
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Confer with parents and counselors. Confirm your decision, and decline other admission offers. Observe deadlines of award letters.
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