Career Counseling

Grade 9 Planning

If you're thinking about going to college, that's great! There's no better way to prepare yourself for a bright future than to continue your education.

Here are some things you can do this year to plan and prepare for college. Do the following and you will be on your way to achieving your college goals!

Work hard in your classes

To be ready for college and to have an impressive high school record, work hard to get good grades in all of your classes.

Now that you’re a freshman, everything counts—your freshman grades will be used to calculate your grade point average, and all of your freshman courses, grades, and credits will be on your transcript (an official copy of your high school record).

Make a four-year high school plan

In order to be prepared for college-level work, colleges recommend that students take the following courses in high school:

• 4 years of English
• 3–4 years of math (Algebra I & II, Geometry)
• 2–3 years of science
• 2 years of the same foreign language
• 3 years of social studies
• 1 year of visual or performing arts

To make a four-year high school plan, list the courses you plan to take each year. Be sure to include all of the college prep courses in your plan.

Be involved and develop your interests

Colleges are looking for students who are active and involved in their school and community. Participate in school activities, and if you have a specific interest, talent, or passion, take time this year to develop it.

Think about what’s important to you, and about what you want to study

Do you want to go to a 2-year or a 4-year college? A college close to home? A college with a specific major? Explore your college options at BigFuture.

In college, you will choose one subject to study in depth. This will be your major. Start thinking about your interests, talents, and abilities in terms of possible majors.

Make informal college visits

To get a feel for what college is like, walk around a college campus, go to a sporting event, or eat in the Student Union. As you walk around campus, try to imagine yourself as a student there.

Get support

Talk to your family and your counselor. Let them know that you want to go to college, and ask them for their help and support.

Decide right now that college is a goal you’re going to work toward. Keep your goal in mind as you go to class, do your homework, and study for tests. Know that going to college is a goal you can achieve!

10th Grade College Planning

Now that you're a sophomore, it's time to get more serious about planning and preparing for college. To help you stay focused and on track, here's a list of the things you need to do this year. Do the following and your future will be bright!

Work hard to get good grades

The stronger your high school academic record, the more college options you will have. The first thing colleges look at when determining whether to accept an applicant is the student’s grades—especially their grades in college prep classes.

Take college prep courses

To be prepared for college-level work, colleges recommend that students take the following courses in high school:

• 4 years of English
• 3–4 years of math (Algebra I & II, Geometry)
• 2–3 years of science
• 2 years of the same foreign language
• 3 years of social studies
• 1 year of fine or performing arts

Develop your interests and be involved

Colleges are looking for students who are active and involved in their school and community. Participate in school activities and take time to develop your interests and talents.

Consider taking a practice test

Many high schools offer tests (e.g., PSAT) to help sophomores prepare for the ACT and SAT. Your counselor will have information on the tests offered at your school.

Think about what’s important to you

Are you looking for a college close to home? One with a specific major? Is size or cost important? Explore your college options at BigFuture.

Make informal college visits

Visiting different colleges is the best way to find out which kind of college will be the best fit for you. Take a walk around a college campus, go to a sporting event, or eat in the Student Union.

Think about a major

Your major is the subject you will study in depth. Start thinking about your interests, talents, and abilities in terms of possible majors.

Meet with your counselor

Talk to your counselor to make sure you're taking the courses you need for college. Discuss your college plans and ask questions.

Decide right now that college is a goal you're going to work toward. Keep your goal in mind as you go to class, do your homework, and study for tests. Know that going to college is a goal you can achieve!

11th Grade College Planning

As a college-bound junior, there's a lot you need to do this year to plan and prepare for college. To achieve your college goals, do the following and stay focused. The future is yours!

Strengthen your academic record

The stronger your high school academic record, the more college options you will have. Most importantly, take college prep courses and get the best grades possible.

This section includes a prompt to reflect on how you'll strengthen your academic record. Download the printable PDF to fill in your response.

Be involved in meaningful activities

Colleges are looking for students who are active and involved in their school and community.

To list your intended activities and interests, download the worksheet.

Make a testing plan

Most college-bound juniors take the PSAT/NMSQT in October and the ACT and/or SAT later in the year. Visit act.org and collegeboard.org for test dates and registration info.

This section includes checkboxes and date fields. Download the PDF for a printable version where you can record your test plans.

Determine your criteria

Knowing what's important to you in a college will help you find a college that's a good fit for you.

The original version includes checkboxes and space to list college preferences. To explore and document your criteria, download the full worksheet.

Think about a major

Your major is the subject you will study in depth. Think about your abilities, talents, and interests in terms of possible majors.

Use the printable worksheet to jot down potential majors you're considering.

Make college visits

Making a college visit is the best way to find out if a college will be a good fit for you. Think of the colleges you would like to visit and check their websites for visitation options.

To make notes about which colleges you’d like to visit, download the printable PDF.

Talk to your counselor

Meet with your counselor to go over your academic record and discuss your college plans. If you have questions about college access, financial aid, or anything else, your counselor can help you.

12th Grade College Planning

The following are things college-bound seniors need to do to plan and prepare for college. Use this list to help you stay focused and on track.

To use this as a checklist you can mark up or print, download the printable version.

Get Organized

• Make a testing plan: If you haven’t taken the ACT or SAT, or want to improve your scores, register for one as soon as possible. Visit act.org or collegeboard.org for details.
• Set up a master calendar: Use it to track test dates, college visits, application deadlines, and events at your school.
• Set up a college file: Keep test scores, applications, notes from visits, and other documents in one place.
• Plan college visits: If you haven’t visited colleges you're considering, schedule those visits as soon as possible.
• Meet with your counselor: Discuss college choices, possible majors, and financial aid. Bring any questions or concerns.

Your To-Do List

• Discuss college costs: Talk to your parents about the cost of your chosen colleges and how your education will be paid for.
• Decide where to apply: Determine what’s required for each application (essays, transcripts, recommendations, etc.).
• Complete applications: Know deadlines and give teachers or counselors plenty of time for recommendations.
• Complete the FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid opens Oct. 1. Visit fafsa.ed.gov.

You’re On Your Way

• Consider your offers: Review acceptance letters and compare financial aid offers carefully.
• Make the decision: Once you’ve selected a school, complete the necessary enrollment steps.
• Follow through: Notify all schools, inform your counselor, and stay engaged in the process until everything is finalized.

Stay focused and finish your senior year strong!