Grade 9

Plan ahead and see what is going to happen for your first year in high school. Be flexible in your thinking knowing that this plan may change. This gives you a rough idea of what credits you need to graduate. Look at your high school’s requirements, your state’s requirements and make sure you are on the college track (sometimes those requirements might vary from state graduation requirements and university requirements). While you have your eye on different curriculum paths (IB, AP, Honors, etc.) your path may change based on your future plans. 

Caveats:  

• Be aware that grades are permanent on your transcript
• Develop good study habits
• You may take your first PSAT, your counselor should let you know
• Familiarize yourself with the college counseling office and your college counselor, the counseling office may provide you with some great information regarding summer options, enrichment programs, etc. 
• Consider a study program or community service over the summer, or some type of fun program over the summer
• Explore activities that pique your interest, this is a great year to experiment with activities and sports and determine if there is anything you might like
• If you are interested in sports, know the National Collegiate Athletic Association requirements (NCAA)
• At the end of the year, check your grades and make sure you are on track for the academic path you wish to pursue (i.e. IB, AP, Honors, Waldorf, Independent Curriculum), do a check in with your counselor to see which course path might be suitable for you
• Keep up with summer reading

Reflect on your year (you may wish to do this quarterly) and think about your highlights academically, socially as well as your extracurricular activities. Fill out an activity sheet (keep this sheet for the rest of your high school years) so you can recall everything you did this year. This will be helpful for both seeking a job, your university application and creating a resume

Grade 10

If necessary, revise your four year plan or make sure you are staying on track. Weigh your options for community service, summer plans, extra curricular activities. Now might be a good time to introduce yourself at a basic level to university/college and Gap Year possibilities. You should have a rough draft plan for the rest of your high school classes. 

Caveats: 

• Remember: grades are permanent on your record
• Participate in extracurricular activities in or out of school, remember to add those on to your activities list. See how a leadership role feels
• Take the most challenging classes available to you
• Now may be a time to research colleges, go to a college fair to set some academic goals for yourself
• Think about the summer: does a study program sound appealing to you, what about work experience, community service? Whatever it is, be sure it is something you enjoy
• Testing: You will probably take the PSAT. Registration will take place in September 
• If you happen to be taking any AP courses, be sure to register for those tests 
• You might want to visit some college campuses, if you have the opportunity to go on college visits with an older sibling
• Keep up with summer reading

Reflect on your year while it progresses… What went well, what would you like to do next year? Keep some of your outstanding assignments from each class in a portfolio (electronic or in a binder or both). Keep track of grades and transcripts, make sure you are on track for graduation

Grade 11

Seriously think about the College Search and by the end of the year, a college list should be crafted. 

Class schedule Review:  Check in with your counselor and review your schedule and think ahead to your senior year as well. Remember, if you are an athlete and planning to play sports in college, refer to NCAA guidelines. These guidelines often change. 

Remember, grades will remain permanent on your record

Caveats: 

• Craft a resume (different from a sports resume and arts resume)
• You may take the PSAT for National Merit Scholarship-check with your high school counselor for dates
• Select your ACT/SAT dates, though some universities have gone test optional/test blind, think about what the best avenue is for you
• Start thinking about summer
• Register for senior year classes keeping in mind that these classes should be challenging for you personally
• Attend any post secondary workshops even if you have hired an Independent Educational Consultant
• Attend any college fairs: Fall, Spring or Summer: These may be virtual for now
• Identify any characteristics you want in a college
• Talk with your college counselor: remember your counselor will write your Letter of Recommendation
• Keep up with your school’s college platform (i.e. Naviance, Maia Learning, Scoir, etc) 
• Determine who will write your Letter of Recommendation and ask those teachers before the end of the year. 
• Research various colleges on a variety of platforms: Niche, Collegexpress, etc. 
• Start refining your college list
• You may wish to take some college tours over vacations-though, be aware that campus visits have changed since COVID. Check the website of the campus to see if the university is open for visits. Be sure that safety is number one priority. We all know the drill: social distancing, mask wearing, limits on guests. These policies may change daily. So, be aware. Some schools are allowing ‘drive throughs’. Check the website to see if there are virtual visits and Q & A as well. 
• As a junior, you can start a Common Application account and fill in the bits and pieces of the application. It will roll over to your senior year
• Maintain a list of reading materials you have read for enjoyment as well as required reading
• AP/IB exams:  study for these exams
• Be sure your next year’s schedule is firm
• While the Common App’s Essays are generally announced by February, we can start on those after exams. 
• Once your AP/ACT/SAT exams are taken care of, crafting of the UCAS list will be on the list (if you are applying for UK universities). Watch for Canadian school deadlines as well. 

Reflect on this as the year progresses… What went well, what would you like to do next year? Keep some of your outstanding assignments from each class in a portfolio, electronically or in a binder. Keep all grades and transcripts. Knowing that next year is your last high school year, think about what you will want to accomplish both academically and personally. 

Summer

• Whatever you do, be sure it is something you wish to do
• Work on that college list and hopefully finalize it and balance it: Likely/Possibly,Reach)
• Understand which application will be necessary for each school
• Write your Personal Statement for the application
• Complete the application once it goes ‘live’, generally on August 1
• Visit colleges if you can- keeping in mind, virtually in the time of COVID there are numerous online platforms available
• Keep a deadline spreadsheet of due dates for college applications, understand: Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision

Grade 12

This year is the juggling year: Academics, college applications, choices and what seems like a race to the finish line. Finalize the college search, writing applications, ask for Letters of Recommendation (LOR) if you have not done this in Grade 11. Take pride in your work and keep grades up all year, as colleges have been known to rescind acceptances based on a dip in GPA as a reminder that grades are permanent on your record

Caveats: 

First Quarter

• Check credits for graduation and check transcripts for accuracy
• Determine if you will apply Early Decision/Early Action/Regular Decision
• If you haven’t already, ask teachers for Letters of Recommendation (often, students need to complete their high school college platform or fill out a questionnaire to hand to their teachers)
• Meet with any college reps who come to the school (in the age of COVID, this is being done virtually)
• Firm up your college list
• Attend your final college fair, whether it be virtual (in the time of Covid) or in person 
• Set up interviews with college reps- again this can be in person or virtual
• Discuss all decisions with your counselor and parents
• Parents: FAFSA/CSS Profile opens on October 1, gather all data necessary using ‘prior prior year’ information

September/October/November

• Complete Early Decision/Early Action applications. It is best to finish Regular Decision applications as well
• Complete all essays: Check to see which schools have supplemental essays
• Retake SAT, ACT and watch for those deadline registration dates
• Portfolios: be sure all portfolios are put together, as many are due within first semester
• While Regular Decision deadlines are often December 31, remember that schools are often on holiday, so complete your application well ahead of time-before school breaks for Winter Holiday
• Send test scores to your colleges- though many are offering self reporting. It is your responsibility to find this out
• Ask your school counselor to send transcripts and LOR to your colleges (generally on your school’s college platform), but always double check this

Second Semester

• If applying Early Decision: you may hear back in December with a variety of decisions: Deferral, rolled over into Regular Decision pile or Denial. If Deferred, follow the school’s instructions with care. They may ask for more information, or there may be instructions on the school’s website
• Colleges have until April 1 to inform students of decisions, some decisions may come in before that time
• Attend local admitted student events if possible (though these may be virtual). Reach out to alumni or current students to ask questions
• Evaluate financial aid packages and scholarships to figure out how to pay for college
• Enroll and pay by May 1 or April 30. Follow housing guidelines. 
• Study for IB/AP exams

May

• Take IB/AP exams
• Contact your school counselor, let her/him know where you will be attending
• Let any waitlisted college know that you would like to remain on the waitlist
• Sign on for campus housing if you have not done so
• Remember to have your transcript sent to the school where you have been accepted
• You may have received a university email by now, and remember to check both emails
• Remember to thank everyone for all the support and assistance you have received throughout the process: school counselor, those who wrote LOR, any favorite teachers, parents, etc. A thank you note often suffices, but a box of chocolates is a great way to say thank you!

Summer and nuts and bolts

• Remember to check your email for school orientation
• Meal Plan
• Shopping for dorm and supplies
• Insurance
• Sending in official transcripts to school you have committed to-while your school will do this, it is your responsibility to make sure this is done
• Send any dual enrollment or college transcripts
• Send AP/IB scores to your college-your responsibility
• Be sure you have a medical check up before leaving home with appropriate updated vaccines

Things to do before stepping foot on campus

• Find Out who your adviser is and schedule an appointment
• Review college’s schedule of classes or catalogue
• Register for classes
• Sign up for any placement tests if necessary
• If you need accommodations: schedule an appointment with Disability Services and have paperwork ready to submit
• Collect and make available medical information you might need: allergies, past medical conditions, take a photo of this information, store it in your phone
• Research various services offered to you on campus: career center, Health Center/Counseling, Recreation Centers, Financial Aid Office, Writing Center/Tutoring Center, Library, Computer Labs, Hillel, etc
• Meet your roommate  (this may happen before school starts)