2012 college night volunteers - Tulare County Office of Education

TULARE COUNTY COLLEGE NIGHTwww.tcoe.org/collegenightTIME LINE FOR COLLEGE PREPARATIONHere are some steps you can take...7 - 8th grade: Choose science, math and language classes to help you get a good foundation. Take summer classesif you can. Develop talents through music, sports, drama, speech and other extra curricular activities. Begin exploringcolleges and careers. Take the EXPLORE test if it is offered at your school. Check with your counselor or schoolfor other recommendations.9th grade - Freshman: Attend College Night in September. Meet your counselor with your parents. Map out yourcourses for high school. Challenge yourself academically by taking the hardest courses you can. Know different college’srequirements for acceptance. Identify and learn about your strengths and talents. Use the career center andwebsites to evaluate careers. Partici pate in extra curricular activities in school or your community. Volunteer inyour community. Check with your counselor or school for other recommendations.10th grade - Sophomore: Attend College Night in September. Take the PSAT in October. Take the PLAN in Octoberif it is offered at your school. Prepare for the tests in advance. Continue with a rigorous course schedule. Take APand Honors courses as available. Start investigating colleges through the web. Research further your career options.Seek further opportunities to explore the world. Volunteer or work in areas you are interested in. Take on leadershiproles in extracurricular or community groups you are involved in. Make plans with your parents or others tovisit colleges during the year. Spring break is a good time to visit college campuses. Check with your counselor orschool for other recommendations.11th grade - Junior: Attend College Night in September. Take the PSAT in October. Take the ACT and SAT Reasoningand SAT Subject tests (required for University of California colleges and other private colleges) in the springof your junior year. Study and prepare for tests before you take them. Finish college visits by the end of your junioryear. Begin narrowing college choices down. Begin working on parts to your college applications, such as your activitieslist and your personal statements. Begin keeping track of deadlines. Begin researching financial aid options injunior year. Your eligibility for financial aid for your first year of college starts in January of your junior year. Startscholarship and merit award searches. Check with your counselor or school for other recommendations.12th grade - Senior: Attend College Night in September. Take the ACT, SAT Reasoning and SAT Subject Tests onelast time in the fall. Prepare before you take the tests. Deadlines are the name of the game as a senior. Know whatthe application deadlines are and keep track of them. University of California applications and many state universityapplications are due by the end of November. Apply to community colleges in the fall or spring. January and Februaryare the months for filing financial aid forms. It is very helpful if your parents have a good idea of what theirtaxes are going to be when you file your forms. Acceptances from college and for financial aid come out in the springof your senior year. Check with your counselor or school for other recommendations. Enjoy your last year of highschool!Prepared by Cyndy McDonald, PPS, M.A.12