1. College Preparation Guide
For Parents and Students

2. Every Year of High School
What STUDENTS can do:
Start planning financially for college
(Re)evaluate post-secondary & career plans
Take appropriate coursework
Stay involved in school and community activities
Communicate with the school counselors

3. Every Year of High School
What PARENTS can do:
Talk with student about post-secondary plans
Monitor student’s study habits, grades, and attendance
Encourage student to take appropriate coursework
Start preparing financially for college

4. 9th Grade Start researching careers: Create a resume:
nvcis.intocareers.org Create a resume
Create a resume:
Make a list of your awards, honors, paid and volunteer work, and extracurricular activities
Enhance your resume:
Participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, and science.

5. 10th Grade Research majors Research colleges: Take the PSAT
Majors, entrance requirements, costs, other factors
Take the PSAT
Attend career and college information events
Use your summer wisely:
Work, volunteer, or take a summer course (away or at a local college).
Ask questions

6. 11th Grade ALL year: In the Fall: In the Spring:
Re-evaluate career and college plan
Continue researching colleges
Attend college fairs and presentations by college representative
In the Fall:
Take the PSAT exam
In the Spring:
Take the ACT and SAT
Start researching scholarships

7. Summer Before 12th Grade Finalize college list Contact colleges:
for information about the admissions process, deadlines, and financial aid
Visit colleges
Decide if you are going to apply early decision to a college
Estimate college costs:
Use the FAFSA4caster financial aid estimator one last time at and compare the results to the actual costs at the colleges to which you will apply.

8. 12th Grade – ALL YEAR Senior year counts!: Get good grades
Stay involved in school
Stay in touch with your counselor regularly

9. 12th Grade – Fall Meet with your counselor to:
Make sure you are on-track for graduation
Make sure you are on-track for meeting post-secondary plans
Register to (re)take the ACT or SAT (if needed)
Write college essay(s)
Get teacher recommendations
Apply to colleges that have fall admissions deadlines:
California schools
Early action / decision choice (if applicable)
Create your Public Ed Foundation Scholarship Account & start applying for scholarships:
PEF scholarships become available in early November

10. 12th Grade – Winter Complete college applications:
Regular decision schools
Encourage parents to complete income tax forms early:
After January 1st but before February 1st
Complete the FAFSA:
Free Application for Federal Student Aide
File before February 1st (if possible)
Continue to apply for private scholarships

11. 12th Grade – Spring Finish applying to colleges
Review college acceptances and financial aide packages:
Contact a school’s financial aid office if you have questions about the aid that school has offered you.
Accept a college offer:
When you decide which school you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and submit any required financial deposit. Many schools require this notification and deposit by May 1.
Continue to apply for private scholarships

12. Questions?