Timetable And Checklist For Freshmen And Sophomore Year

August

• Take college preparatory courses in math, science, social studies, and English.Use electives such as art, computers, and foreign language to help prepare you for college courses.
• Update your resume/brag sheet.
• Nurture relationships with your teachers and counselors.
• Think about major fields of interest. Begin concentrating on courses that prepare you for your interests.
• Maintain a good grade point average especially in your college prep courses. Take academically rigorous courses.
• Get involved in your community, church/temple, and school. Team and club involvement will help you meet other students with similar interests and make you a well-rounded individual.

September – October

• Attend the NACAC College Fair (www.nacacnet.org/college-fairs/).
• You may want to take the PSAT in October (practice test for the SAT, collegeboard.org). Sign up for question of the day through ACT and College Board. A PSAT Interpretation Video is available at www.collegeboard.org.
• Student Athletes: If you want to play Division I, II Sports, you will need to follow the NCAA eligibility requirements. Please visit their website for more information. You will want to register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Clearinghouse during your sophomore year. The website is www.ncaaclearinghouse.net. Our school CEEB code is 030043.

 November – December

• Think about your strengths and weaknesses.
• Talk with older friends about their college process and their recommendations for your planning.

January – May

• Attend a Freshman/Sophomore Family Meeting with your assigned counselor. Discuss your new schedule with your counselor to make sure you are in the right courses, building on what you accomplished from the previous year.
• Use the library and TCCI/Naviance to research college and university entrance requirements. Click here for Naviance.
• Use Naviance, the Occupational Outlook Handbook (http://www.bls.gov/ooh/) and ONET (http://www.onetonline.org/) to research career options. Take the Career Interest Inventory in Naviance freshman year. Actively participate and complete the ECAP Career Exploration Lesson spring of sophomore year.
• Update your resume/brag sheet.
• Register and prepare for the SAT Subject Tests or take a CLEP test in recently completed course areas (perhaps World History).
• Plan to take the mock ACT (the ACT practice test).

June – July

• Visit colleges of interest.
• Volunteer in a career-related opportunity. Attend seminars, workshops, camps and summer programs that supplement your academic preparation.
• With your parents, continue to plan the financial aspect of your education. The HEFAR Group (hefar.org) may be a helpful resource as well as the FAFSA Academic and Financial Checklists Grades 9-12 (http://studentaid.ed.gov/prepare-for-college/checklists).
• Find out about co-enrollment classes offered at the community colleges. These are classes you can take while currently in high school.