College/Career Checklists
As you navigate through high school, there is a lot of information to track. This information ensures that you graduate on time and with the resources you need for life after high school. Start tracking national college exam information, volunteer opportunities, and internships in 9th and continue through your senior year. It will also be helpful to begin exploring college and/or career pathways now. Having a plan will make it much easier for you and your parents to make the best choices for your future.
9th Grade Checklist
❑ Attend 9th grade orientation for students and parents.
❑ Explore career and college opportunities
❑ Students with disabilities need to check with their counselor about applying for test accommodations
❑ Register for the PSAT at your school.
❑ Take the PSAT in October.
❑ Review your PSAT score report with your school counselor and parents (Dec/Jan).
❑ Sign on to My Score Reports after receiving your PSAT scores.
❑ Meet with your counselor to develop next year’s schedule, review postsecondary plans, and review your 4-year plan. Check on prerequisites for advanced level junior and senior courses.
❑ Participate in and track extracurricular activities: sports, clubs, and community service (required for Bright Futures scholarships).
❑ Start thinking about life after high school, talk to people about careers you might find interesting.
❑ Look for a summer job, internship or volunteer position to help you learn about your field of interest.
❑ Put aside money for college or other postsecondary plans.
❑ Schedule an appointment with your school counselor to check your Bright Futures eligibility.
❑ Monitor your grades, transcripts, etc., on Focus EVERY year.
10th Grade Checklist
❑ Explore career and college opportunities
❑ Register for and take the PSAT in October.
❑ Review your PSAT score report with your school counselor and parents (Dec/Jan).
❑ Sign on to My Score Report after receiving your PSAT scores.
❑ Research available test prep for ACT/SAT.
❑ Visit at least 3 college or other postsecondary websites to review programs, admissions requirements, freshman profile, costs, and AP equivalents. Virtual college tours available at www.nacacfairs.org
❑ Interested in a service academy? If yes, request a pre-candidate questionnaire from the service academy.
❑ Keep up participation in school activities and volunteer efforts.
❑ Schedule an appointment with your school counselor to check your Bright Futures eligibility in March and July.
❑ Turn community service hours form into your school counseling office to enter into FOCUS.
❑ Meet with your counselor to develop next year’s schedule.
❑ Attend a parent/student/counselor conference to develop postsecondary plans.
❑ Apply for ACT/SAT/AP test accommodations if you are eligible (specific deadlines and requirements apply).
❑ Look for a job, internship or volunteer position to help you learn about your field of interest.
❑ Put aside money for college or other postsecondary.
11th Grade Checklist
WINTER
❑ Make a list of your abilities, social/cultural preferences and personal qualities. List things you may want to study or do after high school.
❑ Explore career and college opportunities on www.roadtripnation.com/edu/careerfinder and explore colleges at www.nacacfairs.org
❑ Make a file to manage your postsecondary plans search, testing, and application information.
❑ Register for PSAT at your school.
❑ Take the PSAT in October.
❑ Participate in test prep for ACT/SAT.
❑ If interested in going into the military, make sure you talk to a recruiter and take the Armed Forces Vocational Aptitude battery (ASVAB).
❑ Contact your counselor about eligibility for ACT/SAT fee waivers (free and reduced lunch as well as several other criteria).
❑ Register for ACT and/or SAT for the spring (check current costs on website or in school counseling office) www.act.org, www.collegeboard.com. Make sure to use your school code so results come to your school!
❑ Ask your school counselor about taking the SAT Subject Area Tests.
FALL
❑ Review your PSAT score report with your school counselor and parents (Dec/Jan).
❑ Sign on to My Score Reports after receiving your PSAT scores.
❑ Schedule an appointment with your school counselor to check your Bright Futures eligibility online in March and July.
SPRING
❑ Take the ACT and/or SAT (tests are on various Saturdays Aug. – Jul.).
❑ Take the PERT for postsecondary readiness.
❑ Apply for Dual Enrollment courses (if eligible).
❑ Begin your search for financial aid sources: in your school counseling office, on college and university websites, and on various scholarship websites.
❑ Scan internet and websites to see which civic, cultural and service organizations in your area award financial aid to graduating seniors. Start a file.
❑ Develop a list of 10-15 colleges or other postsecondary opportunities that attract you. Request view books and information about financial aid and academic programs that interest you.
❑ Visit colleges you might be interested in. If you are considering a service academy or ROTC scholarships, contact your counselor before leaving school for the summer. If you want a four-year ROTC scholarship, you should begin the application process the summer before your senior year.
❑ Check your Bright Futures eligibility online in March and July.
❑ Meet with your counselor to develop next year’s schedule, progress towards graduation requirements, and review postsecondary plans.
❑ If you are an athlete planning to play sports in college, register with the NCAA Eligibility Center www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.
❑ Check with your school counseling office about turning in community service hour forms so they can be entered in the system.
❑ Schedule an appointment with your school counselor to check YOUR Bright Futures eligibility online in March and July.
SUMMER
❑ Create a resume of your accomplishments, activities and work experience since you started high school.
❑ Download applications (or request paper copies) from colleges to which you will apply. Check application dates- large universities may have early dates or rolling admissions.
❑ Put aside money for college or other postsecondary plans.
12th Grade Checklist
FALL (August/September/October)
❑ Narrow your list of postsecondary options. Download college applications and financial aid forms.
❑ Create a master list or calendar that includes:
❑ tests you will take and their fees, dates and registration timelines
❑ college application due dates, fees
❑ financial aid application forms required and their deadlines (aid applications may be due before college applications)
❑ other materials you will need such as recommendations, transcripts, and your high school application processing deadlines (how far in advance do you need to request transcripts, recommendations, etc...)
❑ Ask for recommendations at least two weeks in advance well of your deadline. Make sure to provide a profile of information about you, your goals, interests and accomplishments for the recommendation writer. (Think about who you will ask to write the recommendation- preferably someone who KNOWS you and LIKES you).
❑ If you are submitting essays, write the first draft and ask teachers and others to review them.
❑ If you did not have your scores sent to the colleges you are applying to contact, College Board and ACT to have scores sent.
❑ Attend credit check meeting with counselor to review graduation status and postsecondary plans (September)
❑ Register for the ACT and/or SAT if higher scores are needed (check current costs on website or in school counseling office) www.act.org, www.collegeboard.com
❑ Take the ACT and/or SAT if needed (tests are on various Saturdays Aug. – Jul.).
❑ Complete and submit college admissions applications (if eligible for test waivers may be eligible for fee waivers- check with counselor)
❑ Complete scholarship applications.
❑ Apply for spring Dual Enrollment courses (if eligible).
WINTER (October/November/December)
❑ Complete the online Florida Financial Aid Application for Bright Futures (beginning Oct.1).
❑ Turn community service hour forms in to your school counseling office to make sure they are in the system for the 7thsemester Bright Futures evaluation.
❑ Attend a Financial Aid Night at a school for parents and students (Oct/Nov/Dec).
❑ Attend a BEACON financial aid session for seniors at your school (Oct/Nov/Dec.).
❑ Apply for a PIN for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (for student and parent).
❑ Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens October 1.
❑ Schedule an appointment with your school counselor to check your Bright Futures status in late February and July.
❑ Apply for spring Dual Enrollment courses (if eligible).
❑ Complete the online Florida Financial Aid Application for Bright Futures (beginning Oct. 1).
❑ Turn community service hour forms in to your school counseling office to make sure they are in FOCUS for the 7thsemester Bright Futures evaluation.
SPRING
❑ Attend a Financial Aid Night at a school for parents and students (Oct/Nov/Dec).
❑ Attend a BEACON financial aid session for seniors at your school (Oct/Nov/Dec.).
❑ Apply for a PIN for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) (for student and parent).
❑ Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens October 1.
❑ Schedule an appointment with your school counselor to check your Bright Futures status in late February and July.
SUMMER
❑ Have final transcript sent to college, NCAA.
❑ Check 8th semester Bright Futures evaluation with your school counselor. Make sure the college you plan to attend is listed on the application.
❑ Check YOUR Bright Futures eligibility.