List of 4 items.

• Freshman Year - It’s never too early to plan for the future!

  • Build strong writing and critical thinking skills by taking challenging courses.
  • Study hard and get excellent grades.
  • Strengthen your vocabulary by increasing your reading.
  • Become involved in extracurricular activities.
  • Browse through college literature or surf the Web to get an idea of what kinds of schools may be of interest to you.
  • Check out what high school courses colleges require.
  • Know NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Eligibility Center requirements if you want to play sports in college.
  • Keep an academic portfolio and extracurricular record.
  • Research career possibilities.
  • Begin saving money for college. 

• Sophomore Year

  • Concentrate on academic preparation and continue to develop basic skills and extracurricular interests.
  • Take the PSAT in October. The PSAT is a practice test for the SAT. The results will not be used for college admission.
  • Sign up, if you have not done so already, for extracurricular activities which interest you. The level of involvement and accomplishment is most important, not the number of activities.
  • Keep a record of your extracurricular involvement, volunteer work, and employment (all year).
  • It is never too early to start researching colleges and universities. Visit the College Counseling Office to browse through literature and guidebooks or surf the Web and check out college and university home pages. The College Board’s Web site is an excellent place to begin searching.
  • Register for June SAT Subject Test(s) if supported by your math or Honors Chemistry teacher. Subject Tests are one-hour exams testing you on academic subjects that you have already completed. Some colleges require two SAT Subject Tests to complete an application, though many colleges will consider Subject Test scores in their review of applicants. Some colleges recommend/require Math Level 1 or Math Level 2. Not all SAT Subject Tests are given on every test date. Check the calendar carefully to determine when the Subject Tests you want are offered.
  • Plan now for wise use of your summer. Consider taking a summer course or participating in a special program (e.g., for prospective engineers or journalists or for those interested in theatre or music). Consider working or volunteering. Make your summer productive.
  • During the summer, you may want to sign up for a PSAT/SAT prep course, use computer software, or do the practice tests in books designed to familiarize you with standardized tests. A little discipline goes a long way!
  • Continue reading to increase your vocabulary. 

• Junior Year

  • Attend Junior College Counseling Course.
  • Attend the FWCD College Day in September.
  • Visit with college representatives.
  • Take the PSAT/NMSQT in October.
  • Visit colleges.
  • Refine college list.
  • Attend your Junior Conference, a conversation with your parents and one of the college counselors about your path through the college application process and beyond.
  • Complete Common Application, write college essay, compile resume and request at least one teacher letter of recommendation (part of your College Counseling Class requirements.)
  • Take SAT in March or May and ACT in April or June.
  • Take AP Exams in May.
  • Register with the NCAA Eligibility Center if interested in participating in collegiate athletics.
  • If you work, save some of your earnings for college.

• Senior Year

  • Attend Senior College Counseling Course.
  • Attend the FWCD College Day in September.
  • Visit with college representatives.
  • Take the ACT in September and the SAT or Subject Tests in October.
  • Attend Mission Application I & II.
  • Submit applications by Office of College Counseling deadlines.
  • Release your SAT and/or ACT scores directly from each testing agency to each college/university where you have applied. FWCD does not send test scores.
  • If interested in applying for Federal student aid, complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov after October 1. Some colleges may also require students to complete the CSS PROFILE which can be found on the College Board Web site at www.collegeboard.com.
  • Avoid Scholarship Scams—if you have any question about the validity of a scholarship program ask a college counselor. Remember, you should never have to pay money to receive money! For a list of defendants named in recent scams, check out the Federal Trade Commission’s Web site.
  • Take advantage of every opportunity to interview whether it is on campus or here in the Dallas/Fort Worth area with an alumni representative.
  • Notify the College Counseling Office of all acceptances, deferrals, or denials.
  • Notify the College Counseling Office of all offers of merit scholarship from all schools to which you applied and community organizations.
  • Make final visits to colleges to narrow down an enrollment choice.
  • Send only ONE enrollment deposit. It should be sent to the one college you plan to attend. DO NOT DOUBLE DEPOSIT!
  • National Candidates’ Reply Date (May 1)—Reply to those colleges where you have been accepted, but do not plan to attend.
  • Take AP Exams in May.
  • If you work, save some of your earnings for college.