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4 yr. College Planning Timeline

4 YEAR HIGH SCHOOL PLANNING CHECK LIST

Freshman Year

  • Get acquainted with your counselor, your resource person while in high school.
  • Plan an activities schedule that may include participation in one or more: athletics, drama, music, student government, school-related activities, job, and community service ​​​​​​(Begin to focus on just a few to do in-depth). 
  • Begin to think about, talk about, ask questions about specific colleges.
  • Develop strong work habits; if necessary obtain tutoring.
  • Investigate your eligibility for Honors and Advanced Placement courses for your Sophomore year.
  • Visit the school’s College & Career Center, located on the 2nd floor of the Commons in room AC 215, to learn about the information available there.
  • Study diligently to maintain the highest marks possible.

 

Sophomore Year

  • Keep a strong relationship with your counselor and stay informed.
  • Take challenging courses in the areas in which you feel capable.  
  • Maintain strong study habits to achieve your maximum potential.  
  • Investigate college and career paths through CaliforniaColleges.edu.  
  • Take the FREE Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test (PSAT) in October at SRHS.  
  • Investigate your eligibility for Honors and Advanced Placement courses for Junior year.  
  • Consider summer work experience.  
  • If you have not yet found an extracurricular activity at SRHS, investigate the possibilities that are available and get involved in some way to complement your academic growth.  

 

Junior Year

  • Attend SRHS College Night for Juniors with your parents in the Winter.
  • Take the FREE PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test) in October at SRHS.
  • Make it your responsibility to listen and read the regular announcements from the CCC on: Minga, the CCC Instagram page, bulletin, This Week @SR, Commons Video, and Parentsquare to stay updated on the latest college representatives’ visits, events, and other important information.
  • Check the requirements/costs of attending various colleges.
  • Visit the campus or campuses of your choice during school breaks. 
  • If applying to elite universities, take the SAT Reasoning or ACT Writing in Spring of your Junior year. There are review courses available, study booklets, practice tests, free online resources. The UCs and CSUs do not accept SAT or ACT scores, and most universities are test optional.
  • Challenge yourself to take Honors and AP (Advanced Placement) courses your Senior year.
  • Take Advanced Placement Exams in Spring.
  • Continue to participate in activities and extracurriculars, and try to gain increased responsibilities to demonstrate leadership. 
  • Take the ASVAB test if you’re interested in the possibility of joining the military.

 

Senior Year

  • Work diligently on current studies, as colleges are particularly interested in students maintaining rigorous academic discipline in the Senior year.
  • Attend College Night for Seniors in the Fall.
  • Apply online at official websites:
  • Request transcripts be sent to Colleges. Fill out a transcript request form and turn it in to Ms. Pipkin. Request for transcripts using Parchment (Parchment).
  • Request letters of recommendation from your teachers if specified on college and scholarship applications. Remember to give your teachers and your counselor at least three weeks advance notice and to have your About Me Google Form, by their deadlines. This provides your recommender with more information about you. 
  • Attend all college information sessions as announced.  
  • Apply for financial aid if eligible.  
  • Attend Financial Aid Workshops in Fall & Spring.  
  • Apply for scholarships. Connect with the CCC for support. 
  • Keep a record of what college admissions procedures you have completed; keep your counselor informed as you formulate plans or revise them.  
  • Take Advanced Placement Exams in Spring.
  • Take the ASVAB if interested in the possibility of joining the military.
  • Be sure to complete Senior Survey (in May). It helps us keep track of scholarships and college acceptances as well as notifies the Counseling Office where to send your Final Transcript.