Seniors
Preparing for College
by James Hope
High School Seniors
Fall
Plan for the Year Ahead
- Discuss with your parents your post-secondary plans
- Meet with your counselor to discuss and refine your post-secondary plans. Review your schedule with him or her to make sure you're enrolled in right classes that will help you prepare for life after High School.
- Speak with your Student Success Coach about your long and short term goals.
- Review and update your Texas Achievement Plan with your counselor
- Request catalogs, descriptive material and/or financial aid information from different colleges or careers of your choice.
- Consider taking Dual Credit classes for Fall and/or Spring
- Get more involved in extracurricular activities.
- Go to college and career fairs in your area.
- Find a job related to your program of study. Enroll in the school Career Prep class
Taking the SAT/ACT/ACCUPLACER/ASVAB
- Consider taking these college entrance exams early in the fall or winter.
- Prepare for the college entrance by taking practice tests or online reviews-See counselor for practice materials.
- Sign up for the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB)
Winter
Begin to finalize College and or Career Choices
- Complete college visits
- Step up scholarship applications.
- Fill out APPY TEXAS application
- Note deadlines for submitting school applications. Some have very early deadlines.
- Begin to fill out financial aid in late December. Do not submit until late January or early February. Seek help from your counselor.
- Speak with a Military recruiter if you have military aspirations.
Plan your Spring Testing Schedule
- Register for ACCUPLACER testing. See your counselor for details
- Register for any Credit by exams or correspondence courses needed to graduate.
Spring
Stay Focused
- Review your long term and short term goals with your success coach.
- Take a Dual Credit course this spring.
- Start looking for a job, internship, or volunteer position.
- Watch your mail or email for decisions and financial aid SAR (Student Aid Report).
- Make Decisions on the College or other post-secondary plans.
- Inform the Counselor of your decision and any scholarships awarded to you.
- Ask the Registrar to send official transcripts to the school you have selected.
Summer
Stay Busy
- Find a job in a paid or unpaid position. Look for opportunities to work in jobs in your chosen career pathway and/or program of study.
- Volunteer at your church or local civic center.
