9th Grade
Start to understand necessary college admission requirements. Meet your counselor to begin establishing a relationship.
10th Grade
WINTER
Meet with your counselor and register for your junior year.
SPRING
Keep your grades up so you can have the highest GPA possible. Remember that all classes count for cumulative GPA. Begin thinking about your interests, abilities, personality, values and what career and post-high school options might be the best fit for you.
11th Grade
FALL
Consider taking the College Board’s PSAT. This test is used for qualifying students for National Merit Scholarships. Attend the MN National College Fair to learn about colleges and universities in early fall with your parents/guardians. Begin thinking about criteria important to you if you are interested in attending college after high school (size, location, distance from home, majors, cost, public or private, housing). Begin creating a list of colleges that meet your needs so you can begin gathering additional information and visiting colleges of interest.
WINTER
Discuss PSAT results with your counselor. Review/update your plan for high school and after, meet with your counselor and register for your senior year. Begin narrowing college choices and find out if the colleges you are interested in require the SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Tests. Register to take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring.
SPRING
Take the ACT, SAT or SAT subject tests - all Juniors will take the ACT at school in April during the school day. Begin collecting college application information for the fall. Consider visiting colleges/universities in the spring and during the summer. Attend a Spring Minnesota Education Fair (college fair). Use the financial aid estimators on college websites.
12th Grade
FALL
Continue to take a full load of courses. Take the SAT or ACT again if you are not happy with spring scores or for the first time if you did not take them in the spring. Counselors will meet with seniors about the college admission process, attend college visits in the CRC. Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA, studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa) opens October 1 using income and tax information from an earlier year. Attend financial aid night with parent(s)/guardian(s). Nov. 1 is a common college application deadline - check deadlines for your colleges.
WINTER
Research and apply for scholarships including your high school’s Local Scholarship Program.
Research FAFSA (and CSS PROFILE if needed) Priority Deadlines at the colleges you applied in order to receive timely “Financial Aid Award Letters.” Submit FAFSA if you have not. Visiting colleges after being accepted can help you decide your first choice - watch for “Admitted Student” visit days.
SPRING
Watch for acceptance notifications from colleges/universities. Watch for financial aid notification awards/information. Make your decision about what college/university to attend by May 1 “National Decision Day”, and notify other schools of your intent not to attend by timelines designated. Stop in the CRC to add your name to the “Senior Map”. Secure housing, set up appointments for any required placement tests, and sign up for orientation. Send your final high school transcript to the college you will be attending in the fall.
The Minnesota Career Information System (MCIS) is a comprehensive, easy-to-use tool to research colleges and universities, find scholarships and financial aid, practice ACT, and learn about over 500 occupations.
www.mncis.intocareers.org
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