Prepare now

• students in elementary and junior/middle school
• students in high school
  • 9th grade
  • 10th grade
  • 11th grade
  • 12th grade
• parents
• adult learners

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Students in elementary and junior/middle school

Every student needs education beyond high school. Everyone!!!!

Here are things to know to help get you started:

• Learn about different types of careers that interest you by visiting your site
• Talk to your school counselor and teachers about the following:
  • Courses and classes to start taking in 9th grade
  • The importance of getting good grades (colleges look at grades beginning in grade 9)
  • Summer enrichment programs (check your school or local colleges)
• Get involved in activities (such as sports, performing arts, volunteer work, etc.)
• Explore different types of postsecondary institutions at your site
• Save for college
• Check out resources available to pay for college by visiting your site

*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

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Students in high school

Higher education is a must to survive in today’s world. Getting additional education after high school can open the door to many career options and great learning opportunities. Choose your grade below to find out what you can do to get ready:

9th grade

10th grade

11th grade

12th grade

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9th Grade

• Talk to your school counselor and teachers about the following:
  • Establishing your college preparatory classes. Your schedule should have at least 4 college preparatory classes per year, including:
    • 4 years of English
    • 3 years of math (through Algebra II or trigonometry)
    • 2 years of foreign language
    • 2 years of natural science
    • 2 years of history/social studies
    • 1 year of art
    • 1 year of electives from the above list
  • Using the student planner to keep track of your courses and grades (you will need to login to this page to get access to the planner)
  • Enrolling in algebra or geometry classes and a foreign language for both semesters (most colleges have math and foreign language requirements)
• Create a file of the following documents and notes:
  • Copies of report cards
  • List of awards and honors
  • List of school and community activities in which you are involved, including both paid and volunteer work, and descriptions of what you do
• Get involved in other activities (such as sports, performing arts, volunteer work)
• Explore different types of postsecondary institutions by visiting your site
• Find how to save for college and resources available to pay for college by visiting your site

*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

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10th Grade

• Talk to your school counselor and teachers about the following:
  • High school curriculum needed to satisfy college entry requirements 
  • Advanced Placement courses:
    • What courses are available
    • Eligibility requirements
    • How to enroll in your junior year
• Update your file, or start one if you have not already. (See 9th Grade)
• Continue other activities - these will help in the college admissions process.
• Continue participation in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, science, etc.
• Take the PSAT in October. The scores will not count for National Merit Scholar consideration in your sophomore year, but it is valuable practice.
• Register, in April, for the SAT II for any subjects you will be completing before June.
• Take the SAT II in June.
• Explore different types of postsecondary institutions by visiting your site
• Find how to save for college and resources available to pay for college by visiting your site

*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

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11th Grade Fall Semester
Talk to your school counselor and teachers about the following: Enrolling in Advanced Placement classes Scheduling to take the PSAT, SAT I and II, ACT, and AP exams Signing up and preparing for the exams  Asking for a preview of your academic record to determine what gaps or weaknesses exists
September:	Register for the PSAT exam offered in October. Remember that when you take the PSAT in your junior year, the scores will count towards the National Achievement Program
October:	Take the PSAT.  Narrow your list of colleges to ten. Visit our finding a college section for more information on the schools in which you are interested. Start researching your financial aid options in the paying for college section Begin scheduling college interviews and tours with admissions counselors.
November/December:	Review your PSAT results with your counselor to identify your strengths and areas that need improvement  You will receive your scores from the October PSAT. Depending on the results, you may want to consider signing up for an SAT preparatory course
Spring Semester
January/February:	Take campus tours online or in person to further narrow your list of colleges  Register for the March SAT and/or the April ACT tests. Find out from each college the deadlines for applying for admission and which tests to take
March-June:	Take the March SAT I exam If you are interested in taking any AP exam(s), you should sign up for the exam(s) at this time. Take the April ACT test Talk to teachers about writing letters of recommendation Take AP, SAT I, SAT II, and ACT exams Add any new report cards, test scores, honors, or awards to your file. Visit colleges. Call ahead for appointments with the financial aid, admissions, and academic advisors at the college(s) in which you are most interested
Summer Between Junior and Senior Years
Practice writing online applications, filling out rough drafts of each application, without submitting them. Review your applications, especially the essays. Ask family, friends, and teachers to review your essays for grammar, punctuation, readability, and content Decide if you are going to apply for a college's early decision or early action programs. This requires you to submit your applications early, typically between October and December of your senior year, but offers the benefit of receiving the college's decision concerning your admission early, usually before January 1.
*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

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12th Grade Fall Semester
September:	Check your transcripts to make sure you have all the credits you need to get into your college(s) of choice. Find out from the colleges to which you are applying whether or not they need official copies of your transcripts (transcripts sent directly from your high school) sent at the time of application. Register for October/November SAT I, SAT II, and ACT tests Most early decision and early action applications are due between October 1 and November 1
October:	Make a final list of schools that interest you and keep a file of deadlines and required admission items for each school. Take SAT and/or ACT tests. Have the official scores sent by the testing agency to the colleges/universities that have made your final list of schools. Register for December or January SAT I and/or SAT II tests, if necessary.
November:	Submit your college admission applications
December:	Early decision replies usually arrive between December 1st and December 31st. If you haven not already done so, make sure your official test scores are being sent to the colleges to which you are applying. Schedule any remaining required interviews.
Spring Semester
January:	Complete and submit your college financial aid application and the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) between January 1 and February 15, and check for other financial aid options. To fill out the FAFSA form, visit www.fafsa.ed.gov Request that your high school send your official transcripts to the colleges to which you are applying. Make sure your parents have completed their income tax forms in anticipation of the financial aid applications. If they have not completed their taxes, providing estimated figures is acceptable.
February:	If you completed the FAFSA online, you should receive your Student Aid Report (S.A.R.) within 2-4 days. If you completed a paper FAFSA, the SAR will come within four weeks. Make the necessary corrections and return it to the FAFSA processor. Complete your scholarship applications. Contact the financial aid office of the college(s) to which you have applied to make sure that your information has been received, and that they have everything they need from you.
March/April:	You will probably hear from the colleges as to whether or not you are accepted by April 15. Compare your acceptance letters, financial aid and scholarship offers.
May:	Take AP exams for any AP subjects you studied in high school. You should make a decision by May 1st as to which college you will be attending and notify the school by mailing your commitment deposit check.
June:	Have your school send your final transcripts to the college which you will be attending. Contact your college to determine when fees for tuition, room and board are due and how much they will be.
Summer After Senior Year
Participate in any summer orientation programs for incoming freshmen
*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

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Parents

Parents can begin to prepare their children for college early by:

• Helping them take the right junior high and high school courses based on the type of school they wish to enroll in after high school. For more information about courses, visit the students in high school section
• Encouraging them to maintain good grades throughout their high school experience.
• Helping them decide on the right school by researching the school's curriculum, the size of the school, the type of school, and a school's affordability.
• Making a visit to the college or by visiting our section on finding a college
• Helping them obtain and complete admissions applications. Visit our section on college entrance exams
• Assisting them with essays and preparing for admissions interviews.
• Saving for college and learning about the financial aid available. Visit our section on paying for college.

To learn about special resources offered in your state, visit our section on what resources are available to help?
*Information provided by Federal Student Aid, an office of the U.S. Department of Education

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Adult learners

Education is for everyone. About 90 million individuals participate in some form of adult education each year, including training and basic education offered outside traditional higher education. Most colleges have structured programs and services specifically for adult learners.

Career Options

Why are you considering returning to school? By focusing on your reason, you can better determine your career and educational goals. Do you want to change careers, increase your earning potential, and/or resume your college education and finish a degree program? Which careers match your skills and interests? There are probably more than you can imagine. Visit our section on career planning for assistance.

Things to Consider

Getting training after high school may help you get a better-paying job doing work you enjoy. But going to school is a big investment. You're investing your time. Chances are you'll also have to invest your own money or take out a student loan to go to school. So you need to be sure that you're choosing the right school.

• Shop around. Contact more than one school. If you're looking for vocational training, check the Yellow Pages under "Schools" for phone numbers. If your area has a community college, call the admissions office and find out what kinds of training the college offers. For information about all the different types of postsecondary institutions, visit our section on finding a college.
• Visit the school. Call the school and schedule a visit, preferably while classes are being taught. Get a feel for the school; make sure you're comfortable with the facilities, the equipment, the teachers and the students.
• Don't be afraid to ask! A good school will be happy to answer your questions about its programs. Ask the school about its students: How many graduate? How many get jobs because of the training they received? What kind of job placement services does the school offer students and graduates?
• Check the cost. Make sure the school gives you a clear statement of its tuition and fees. Remember that any federal financial aid you get will be applied first to paying the school's tuition and fees. If there's any money left over, the school will give it to you to help you pay for things such as food and rent. Visit our section on paying for college for more information.

General Education Development (GED) Certificate

Adults who wish to continue their education and have not received a high school diploma can take the test for a General Education Development (GED) Certificate. Nearly all U.S. colleges and universities accept GED graduates who meet their other qualifications for admission. For more information about how to take the GED, visit www.acenet.edu/AM/Template.cfm?Section=Search&template=/CM/HTMLDisplay.cfm&ContentID=8244#benefits.

Taking Tests

Once you have assessed your interests and determined what type of program you want to enroll in, you may be required to take one or more standardized tests. Visit our section on college entrance exams for more information.