Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college.
Ask your parents, guardians, or teachers to help you develop good study habits.
Practice setting and reaching goals.
Volunteer in your community.
Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.
Talk with the School Counselor and parents about careers that interest you.
Create a tentative high school class plan. Make sure to reference college requirements on the Highschool page.
Enroll in a summer enrichment program
9th and 10th Grade Students
Take a look at college requirements (on the highschool page) when registering for classes.
Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers that interest you.
Talk with School Counselor about college and career options, and the education required for those careers.
Talk with your family about paying for college.
Talk with your friends, teachers, School Counselor, and parents about college.
Participate in extracurricular activities.
Take the ASPIRE in 10th grade to prepare for the ACT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.
Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.
Explore internships and apprenticeships.
Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
Sign up for classes that will earn you college credit during your junior year of high school.
11th Grade Students
Take a look at college requirements (on the highschool page) when registering for classes.
Attend college and financial aid fairs.
Mentor others and have a mentor for yourself.
Take the PSAT in the fall to prepare for the SAT or ACT, and to identify areas you need improvement.
Take the ACT and/or SAT in the fall. If you are going to a community college, check for their requirements because you may not have to take the ACT.
Consider possible career options and investigate the education that is needed.
Request materials from schools that interest you, and visit their websites.
Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you. Mett with an admissions officer, a financial aid representative, faculty members, and college students.
Participate in extracurricular activities.
Request admissions and financial aid forms.
Sign up for classes that will earn you college credit during your senior year of high school.
Take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring.
Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting you high school graduation requirements.
Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.
Research your private scholarship options.
12th Grade Students
Sign up for classes that will earn you college credit during your last year of high school.
Meet with School Counselor to review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.
Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.
Take or retake the ACT and/or SAT in the fall. If you are going to a community college, check for their requirements. You may not have to take the ACT.
Select the schools to which you will apply. Make a list of important admissions and financial aid deadlines for each school.
Attend a financial aid event
Participate in extracurricular activities.
Create a resume of your academic, athletic, and work activities as well as other achievements. Prepare a portfolio if you’re interested in the arts.
Search and apply for private scholarships.
Ask for recommendations (if required) from teachers, counselors, and others who can comment on your abilities and talents.
Apply to four to six colleges that interest you. Do not wait until just before the deadline.
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after Oct. 1st. You and your parents can use tax information from the previous tax year.
Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy. If you make corrections, return the form as quickly as possible.
Ask your school counselor to send high school transcripts to those colleges to which you’ve applied.
Choose a college and send in any required forms or deposits (housing, meal plan, etc). Notify in writing those schools you don’t plan to attend.
Think about getting a summer job to earn money for college.
*This guide was created by St. Mary's Catholic School in Sleepy Eye, MN*
Next take a look at College Knowledge for an overview and helpful links for the college application process