Guidance News
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TIMELINE FOR COLLEGE-BOUND STUDENTS
Grade 8
- do your best in Regents courses because they will appear on your HS transcript that gets sent to colleges
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meet with your counselor about the transition to HS
Grade 9
- welcome to HS! Start strong academically: every grade counts toward your Grade Point Average.
- don't fall behind academically: HS moves faster than middle school. You'll need more self-discipline and better time management.
- get involved in activities like sports, arts, community service, or social events to meet others with similar interests
- meet with your counselor to discuss course selection for sophomore year and college/career plans
Grade 10
- take the most rigorous courses that are appropriate for you. Keep your grades up.
- stay involved in a variety of activities
- meet with your counselor to discuss course selection for junior year and college/career plans
Grade 11
- keep your grades up while taking challenging courses
- plan to attend the Financial Aid night with your parents (summer/fall)
- attend the WNY College Consortium at school in October
- take the PSAT/NMSQT in October
- meet with your counselor when PSAT scores arrive in December
- create a College Board account and link your scores to Khan Academy for free test prep
- take free full-length practice tests available for SAT or ACT. Time yourself through each test and check your answers
- consider signing up for a test prep course
- consider what you are looking for in a college: major? location - local or out of town? size - small, medium, large? setting- urban, suburban, rural? price?
- plan senior year course selection
- register to take a spring ACT and/or SAT
- plan to attend the National College Fair at the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in March
- prospective college student athletes (Division 1 or 2) should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center
- create a resume to list your qualifications (academics, awards, athletics, activities, service, employment, etc.)
- meet with your counselor to discuss college plans and which application system to use, review grades and test scores to identify realistic options
- create your account on Common Application (if that is the application system you are using)
- visit campuses with your parents
- apply for summer employment, community service, camps, or pre-college programs
- finish strong to maximize your cumulative three-year average
Summer
- AP scores arrive in July
- continue visiting campuses with your parents
- continue working on your section 1 of Common App; start section 2 after August 1st
- register to retake fall ACT and/or SAT
- consider taking a test prep class
- be aware of application deadlines for your colleges
Grade 12
- meet with college representatives in your school's counseling office
- attend financial aid night with your parents (summer/fall)
- attend the WNY College Consortium at school in October
- sign up for fall college fairs and campus open house events
- ask teachers for letters of recommendation; email your counselor and teachers through your Common App
- if not using Common App, contact your counselor to request official transcripts
- update your resume; use it to facilitate completion of your college applications, be sure to meet all deadlines
- with your parents, submit FAFSA beginning October 1st. Submit CSS Profile if necessary
- create account on scholarship search sites; apply for local scholarships
- meet with your counselor in the fall for your senior status meeting
- continue to meet with your counselor as needed throughout the process
- review all acceptance and award packages with your family, ask your counselor for assistance if necessary
- National Candidates' Reply Date is May 1. Pay one deposit; thank other schools that accepted you.
- formally accept your financial aid offer and complete other campus-specific aid documents
- finish strong academically: colleges will see your final transcript
- stay in touch with your college to meet their deadlines regarding: admissions, financial aid, housing, meal plans, parking, health, academic advising, athletics, and orientation
- Congratulations!