Freshman Year                              

Plan the high school courses you will be taking for all four years with your advisor.

Set academic goals, and begin your first year of high school with good study habits, such as:

Set aside a regular time to study every night.

Find a quiet place to study without interruption.

Treat your homework as a part-time job. (If you do a little every night, you won't be overwhelmed with assignments!)

Become involved in extracurricular activities (clubs, athletics, student government, etc.)

Begin compiling a list of activities in which you participate, awards you receive, offices held, volunteer work and report them to your advisor. Record these in your "Career Planning Folder".

Set aside money for college regularly. Ask your parents to find out about scholarships through their employers.

Talk to your high school counselor about becoming a member of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF). CSF is a statewide organization that promotes academic achievement.

Sophomore Year

Meet with your advisor to review career and education plans. Update your "Career Planning Folder".

Use Careers and College Planning search to select schools that match your possible major/program of study and/or occupational interests.

Honor level students may take the PSAT. This is a practice test.

Make sure you are on target with your high school courses for post-secondary education admission requirements. See your counselor.

Visit college fairs and talk with college representatives. The Career Center hosts visits by college admissions counselors and military recruiters. Listen for announcements.

Stay involved in outside activities, including after-school jobs, if possible.

Keep your list of activities updated with your advisor.

Maintain your grades and good study habits.

Talk to your high school counselor about becoming a member of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF). CSF is a statewide organization that promotes academic achievement

Junior Year

September

Talk with your parents and high school counselor to discuss future plans and to make sure you are following the correct steps to reach your goal.

Use Careers, College Planning, and Career Cove to research occupations, post-secondary schools, and scholarships available for you.

Register to take the PSAT. (Top 15% of class is encouraged to take this National Merit qualifying test.)

October-December

Take your parents to "College Information Night." This program presents a plan to begin applying for post-secondary education and/or training.

Take the PSAT to be considered for the National Merit Scholarship. (Top 15% of class is encouraged to take this qualifying exam.)

Keep up your grades.

Stay involved in extracurricular activities, and keep your list current.

Visit college fairs and talk with college representatives. The Career Center hosts visits by college admissions counselors and military recruiters. Listen for announcements.

Talk to your high school counselor about becoming a member of the California Scholarship Federation (CSF). CSF is a statewide organization that promotes academic achievement

January-March

List the college features that suit your interests, needs, and abilities. These include size, kind of college, location, fields of study offered, academic quality, cost and financial aid opportunities, and social and cultural environments.

Plan a challenging schedule of classes for your senior year. Consider admission requirements to post-secondary colleges and training programs when planning.

Register to take the ACT or SAT test, whichever is required. (Some colleges will need scores early.) This will also allow you to retake them if you do not perform well.

Register for any Advanced Placement (AP) tests that you are prepared to take. A good score can earn you credit at many colleges.

April-May

Study for the ACT or SAT. Look into taking a test prep course.

Develop a preliminary list of colleges and/or training programs that interest you.

Take AP exams for AP classes taken in high school.

 June-August

Visit as many schools as you can. Make appointments for campus tours and visit the financial aid office. Gather catalogs and applications

Send for applications to all of the schools you are interested in attending that you were unable to visit.

Most colleges and families expect students to help pay for college costs. If possible use your summer to earn money for college in a job related to your career interests.

Start filling out admission applications, making sure you know the deadlines. Keep copies of letters written, essays, and scholarship applications.

Senior Year

Check the Seniors page often for late breaking information!!

September

Send in your applications as soon as possible. APPLY EARLY! Housing and some scholarships can go fast.

Use Careers, College Planning, and Career Cove to research occupations, post-secondary schools, and scholarships available for you.

Athletes interested in competing at the Division I or II level must file a NCAA Clearinghouse form for eligibility.

Students considering a military career should meet with the recruiter and arrange to take the ASVAB.

Decide which teachers and other people you would like to write letters of recommendation for you and contact them immediately.

If necessary, register to retake the ACT or SAT.

Research public and private scholarships and grants using library resources and Internet resources.

Apply for scholarships found and keep up with scholarships that come to the counseling office during the year. All scholarships are announced in the Daily Bulletin.  Be sure to keep copies for your records.

Don't miss the deadlines!

October

Visit college fairs and talk with college representatives. Check the Career Center calendar for visits by college and military representatives. Listen for announcements.

File any early-action or early-decision college applications.

November

Retake (or take) the ACT or SAT.

Keep your grades up.

Write and polish any essays required for applications. See College Planning

Apply for the California State University you may wish to attend.

December

Obtain a PIN for FAFSA in your Skills class.

Financial aid forms (FAFSA) are available in the Counseling Office.

January

Submit your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon after January 1 as possible. Keep a copy for your records. You can also file electronically at FAFSA on the Internet.

Many schools have application due dates in January. Send in all application materials on time.

February

Within two to four weeks after you submit the FAFSA, you will receive your Student Aid Report (SAR), which is a summary of the form and will give you an estimated family contribution. Be sure to make corrections, if needed. Send the SAR to the financial aid office at the college of your choice, if you haven't already done so.

March

Register for any Advanced Placement (AP) tests that you are prepared to take. A good score can earn you credit at many colleges.

April

Review college/training program acceptances and compare financial aid offers.

Decide which school to attend and send in your deposit by May 1. Notify other colleges of your decision. Also notify the Counseling Office.

May

Follow up to check that all materials have arrived at your college (Student Aid Report, Housing forms, tuition deposit, etc.).

Take AP exams for AP classes taken in high school.

June

Make sure final high school transcripts are sent to the college or school you plan to attend.

Apply for any loans for which you might qualify.

Congratulations on graduating from high school! Best of luck in your future endeavors.