College Planning

For CODE Students 

Freshman Year

• Become familiar with college entrance requirements.  Which courses in your high school curriculum satisfy college requirements?
• Work with parents, teachers, and counselors to create a four-year high school plan to satisfy your goals.  Visit colleges if possible during the summer.
• Begin to develop a portfolio/resume of all activities and awards you have earned.
• Attend a local college fair.
• Participate in community service/volunteer activities.
• Enroll in a challenging curriculum and achieve your best.
• Read Colleges That Change Lives by Loren Pope.
• Research the A+ program and become familiar with the requirements as well as the opportunities.
• Begin researching careers.

Sophomore Year

• Meet with your counselor to discuss curriculum, grade point average, AP/Honors courses, visiting colleges, and research via the Internet.
• Attend a local college fair and talk to the admissions representatives..
• Familiarize yourself with PLAN and PSAT/NMSQT exams.
• Continue developing your portfolio/resume of activities and awards.
• Enroll in a summer session at a college or university for enrichment or college credit.
• Sign up for the A+ program and begin tutoring when possible.
• Continue researching careers you are interested in.

Junior Year

• Make a list of at least three possible colleges.  One should be your dream school, one in the state and a local college.  Think about the values that are important to you (academic program, location, size, cost, etc.).
• Meet with college representatives when they come to your school.
• Meet with the counselor to determine if you qualify for an ACT/SAT fee waiver.
• If you are a member of an underrepresented group (African American, Native American, Hispanic or First generation college) contact the counselor for information regarding scholarships and special programs.
• Visit the Counseling Office; request information from colleges; attend college fairs and network with college admissions representatives.
• Ponder career/major choices.
• Meet with the counselor to review courses, credit college information, grade point average, and senior classes.
• Participate in test preparation exercises and take PSAT/NMSQT in October.
• Register for the December administration of the ACT and SAT.
• Begin exploring scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
• Take opportunities to visit colleges during vacations.
• Research colleges/universities on the Internet.
• Carefully consider which teachers you would like to write your recommendations.
• In the spring communicate with your three colleges and request information.
• Continue or complete A+ tutoring.

Summer between Junior and Senior Year

• Visit as many colleges as possible.
  
• Begin developing your resume and audition/sports tapes for colleges.
  
• Finalize resume and make copies to use in college applications, scholarship applications, and letters of recommendation.
  
• Take or retake ACT/SAT or SAT II.
  
• Research available scholarships both on a local and college level-be sure you meet necessary deadlines.
  
• Submit NCAA Clearinghouse form if you plan to participate in athletics at www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. 

Senior Year

• Make sure you are on track to complete graduation requirements.
• Make sure you are on track to complete A+ requirements.
• Attend college fairs and network with college admissions representatives.
• Review and discuss with your counselor your standardized test scores
• Verify deadlines for college applications and merit based scholarships.
• Visit with teachers, coaches and members of the community to request letters of recommendations.  Be sure to give them a resume and at least two weeks so they can make you look as good as you truly are.
• Retain copies of all mailed documents.
• Compose a rough draft of your college essay and have an English teacher review it in early fall.
• Register for the ACT or SAT in October.
• In January, file FAFSA form.  If you and your parents need help with this step, watch for financial aid nights and College Goal Sunday for free help.
• Apply for all possible scholarships. (community, church, parents employer, professional organizations)
• Apply for need-based financial aid as soon after January 1 as possible. Make final choice and notify school no later than May 1.
• Request final H.S. transcript to be sent to your college.