High School action plan

YOUR ROADMAP TO SUCCESS

Freshman Year
1. Meet your counselor as soon as possible.  See our resources page to view a list of questions to ask.
2.Get involved with clubs, sports,  or volunteer opportunities.  You need to show colleges that  you can do more than just your homework!

Sophomore Year
1. Begin financial planning. Look up scholarship and grant info. Check out our section called Paying For College.

2. Start laying the foundation for your selected leadership role that you intend to portray as an asset on your college application. There are many ways to show leadership skills. Some examples include: joining and actively participating in a club, running for student council, learning how to be a captain on your sports team and organizing a fundraiser or community service event.

3. Make 3 lists of college choices
IMPORTANT NOTE - Make a list that contains the following:

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Dream School
This is a listing of 3 schools that you have always dreamed of going to. Ask yourself "If I would
automatically get accepted to any college in the world, which one would I attend."

Likely School
List 5 schools that you would be comfortable sending an application to based on the current status of your GPA, test scores, leadership roles, and community service involvement.  

Fallback School
This is a list of schools that you would consider if you could not get into the schools listed on your first two lists. These schools have the same major or have classes that would be counted towards your major at a school on the other two lists (in case you wish to transfer later.)

It's never too early to start looking at college options.  Click the logos below to view the websites of some of our in-state colleges.

Junior Year
1. Prep for ACT/SAT
2.Research the differences between the college divisions (DI - DIII), junior college, private institutes, and any other college option.
2. Visit some of your college choices.Consider the following:
Size of the school/campus, location, weather, surrounding activities, academic status of the college, costs, social scene, greek life, academic expectations, etc.
3. Become an officer for a club, start getting community service hours and volunteer work, talk to teachers about possible recommendation for next year, and consider internships that coincide with your intended major.

Senior Year
1. Visit your top 2 schools.
2. Set up a meeting with the head of your intended major and talk with him/her while you are there.
3. Spend the night at the college and talk to students (other than your tour guides) about what the school is really like.
4. Get your recommendations in written form.
3. Fill out the FASFA (Free Application for Student Financial Aid)