College Bound

Your freshman year is the beginning of your high school journey and the perfect time to start building a strong foundation for your future. Here are some important steps to help you stay on track and stand out:

• Talk with your school counselor about your course options and the classes that will best support your goals.

• Create a four-year high school plan with your school counselor that aligns with your interests and chosen career path.

• Explore AP courses and learn which advanced classes may be a good fit for you.

• Get involved outside the classroom. Explore extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, volunteer opportunities, or other interests that excite you.

• Stay motivated throughout the school year. Your effort and consistency matter from the very beginning.

• Explore your AP Potential to see which AP courses may be a good match for you.

• Plan ahead for next year. Decide which AP or other challenging courses you may want to take as a sophomore.

• Talk with your parents or guardians about your future plans and include them in your educational journey.

• Take a career assessment to explore careers that match your interests, strengths, and skills.

• Get familiar with college entrance assessments, including the PSAT, PreACT, SAT, and ACT.

• Research colleges and learn about different types of schools, admission requirements, and costs.

• Explore scholarships and connect with colleges to begin learning about opportunities available to you.

• Visit a college campus when possible. Seeing a campus in person can help you picture your future after high school.

• Calculate and monitor your GPA. Understand how your grades can impact your future opportunities.

• Stay motivated over the summer. Look for activities, experiences, reading, volunteering, or other opportunities that can help prepare you for the upcoming school year.

• Make time for fun! Enjoy your summer, recharge, and spend quality time with your family and friends.

Remember: Your Freshman Year Matters

You don’t have to figure everything out at once. Start exploring, stay curious, ask questions, and take advantage of opportunities. The small steps you take in 9th grade can help you build momentum toward your future.

Sophomore year is a great time to build on the foundation you created in 9th grade. Continue exploring your interests, challenging yourself academically, and preparing for life after high school.

• Access free AP resources to strengthen your skills and prepare for challenging coursework.

• Connect with colleges and scholarship opportunities to begin learning about what is available to you.

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT to become familiar with college entrance testing and practice your test-taking skills.

• Take a career assessment to explore careers that connect with your interests, strengths, and goals.

• Review your PSAT/NMSQT scores and use your results to identify areas where you can improve.

• Explore your AP Potential and consider which AP courses may be a good fit for you.

• Plan your courses for next year. Decide which AP or other challenging courses you would like to take as an 11th grader.

• Take the PSAT 10 if it is offered at your school and use your results to help guide your academic preparation.

• Start building a college list. Research schools that match your interests, academic goals, career plans, and preferences.

• Learn about financial aid. Explore scholarships, grants, work-study, loans, and other ways to help pay for college.

• Visit more college campuses when possible. Explore different types of colleges and get a feel for what environment might be right for you.

• Stay motivated over the summer. Use your time to explore interests, gain experience, prepare for the next school year, and continue working toward your goals.

Keep Building Your Future

10th grade is the time to explore, prepare, and start thinking more seriously about what comes next. Keep challenging yourself, stay involved, and remember that every step you take today can help open doors for your future.

Junior year is a big step toward college and your future career. This is the year to become more focused on your college options, testing, financial aid, and the path you want to take after graduation.

• Add to your college list. Continue researching colleges that match your interests, academic goals, and career plans.

• Access free AP resources to help you prepare for AP courses and exams.

• Add your parent or guardian information to your college-planning and testing accounts when needed.

• Research how to access financial aid and learn about the resources available to help pay for college.

• Attend college fairs to meet representatives and learn more about different schools.

• Connect with colleges and scholarship opportunities to discover programs, admission requirements, and ways to help fund your education.

• Commit to taking AP Exams and create a study plan to prepare.

• Take the PSAT/NMSQT and use the experience to help prepare for college entrance exams.

• Explore different careers and consider how your interests, strengths, and goals connect to possible career paths.

• Review your PSAT/NMSQT scores and identify areas where you can improve.

• Explore your AP Potential and consider which AP courses may support your college and career goals.

• Meet with your school counselor to review your academic progress, college plans, testing, and next steps.

• Plan your senior-year courses. Decide which AP or other challenging courses you want to take next year.

• Plan to take the SAT and learn about registration, testing dates, and preparation resources.

• Practice for your first SAT using practice questions, tests, or other preparation resources.

• Get ready for your AP Exams. Review course material, practice, and create a study schedule.

• Review your SAT score and determine whether additional preparation or another test date may be beneficial.

• Review your AP Exam scores and consider how they may support your college plans.

• Get the facts about college costs. Research tuition, fees, housing, books, transportation, and other expenses.

• Learn about the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and how it can help you access financial aid.

• Talk with your parents or guardians about college finances and explore options for paying for your education.

• Explore scholarships and keep track of eligibility requirements and deadlines.

• Look into summer learning programs that can help you explore interests, strengthen academic skills, or prepare for college.

• Visit more colleges that interest you and align with your career goals. Pay attention to programs, campus life, location, and the overall fit.

Junior Year Is Your Time to Prepare

This is the year to turn exploration into action. Stay organized, ask questions, challenge yourself, and take advantage of opportunities. The choices you make during junior year can help you enter senior year with a clearer plan and greater confidence about your future.

Senior year is your time to turn preparation into action. Stay organized, meet important deadlines, and make thoughtful decisions about your college and career future.

• Strengthen and finalize your college list. Choose schools that fit your academic goals, career interests, finances, and personal preferences.

• Visit colleges whenever possible to experience the campus, programs, and student environment firsthand.

• Get ready for college applications. Learn about deadlines, requirements, application platforms, and admission criteria.

• Meet with your school counselor regularly to review your college plans, graduation requirements, and important deadlines.

• Create your Federal Student Aid (FSA) ID and make sure you and your parent or guardian have the information needed to complete financial aid forms.

• Decide whether to take the SAT again based on your goals, previous scores, and the requirements of the colleges you’re considering.

• Access free AP resources to help you prepare for your AP courses and exams.

• Add parent or guardian information to your accounts when required for college applications and financial aid.

• Connect with colleges and scholarship opportunities to stay informed about admissions, programs, and financial support.

• Commit to taking your AP Exams and create a study plan to prepare.

• Explore scholarships and keep track of eligibility requirements and application deadlines.

• Send your SAT scores to colleges when required or appropriate for your application.

• Create a college application plan. Make a calendar of application deadlines, essays, recommendations, test scores, transcripts, and other requirements.

• Ask for letters of recommendation early and give your recommenders plenty of time to write thoughtful letters.

• Write and revise your application essay. Make sure your essay reflects who you are, your experiences, and what you hope to accomplish.

• Complete and submit your college applications before their deadlines. Don’t wait until the last minute!

• Complete the CSS Profile if required by the colleges you are applying to.

• Complete and submit scholarship applications and continue searching for new opportunities throughout the year.

• Explore careers and college majors as you think about the connection between your education and future goals.

• Track your college application status and make sure colleges have received all required materials.

• Get ready for your AP Exams by reviewing course material and using practice resources.

• Review and send your AP Exam scores when appropriate for the colleges you plan to attend.

• Complete the FAFSA and explore opportunities such as BigFuture Scholarships and other financial aid resources.

• Understand your financial aid offers. Compare grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans so you can make informed decisions.

• Find out the actual cost of each college. Look beyond the advertised price and consider financial aid, housing, books, transportation, and other expenses.

What Should You Do the Summer Before College?

Once you’ve made your college decision, your summer is the perfect time to prepare for this exciting next chapter.

• Complete any required college forms and meet all enrollment deadlines.

• Register for orientation and attend when possible.

• Review your class schedule and connect with your academic advisor if you have questions.

• Finalize your housing plans and complete any required housing paperwork.

• Create a college budget and learn how you will manage your money.

• Purchase or gather the supplies you’ll need for your first semester.

• Learn about your campus and familiarize yourself with important locations and resources.

• Connect with your future roommate or classmates if opportunities are available.

• Read, explore, and stay curious. Continue learning during the summer without putting pressure on yourself.

• Spend time with family and friends. Enjoy the people and experiences that have supported you throughout high school.

• Take time to celebrate! You’ve worked hard to get here. Be proud of your accomplishments and look forward to what’s next.

You Did It—Now Get Ready for What’s Next!

College is not the finish line; it’s the beginning of a new journey. Take what you’ve learned in high school, stay open to new opportunities, and believe in your ability to succeed.

Your future is waiting. Make it yours!