College Prep 101 - 7th Grade

7TH GRADE

All 7th grade planning steps are shown. College Planning steps are highlighted.

Work at developing good study habits.	Successful Study Techniques
Maintain good grades.
Start saving for postsecondary education.
Talk to people who have attended college to learn about their experiences.
Start thinking about which jobs interest you. What kinds of work would suit your interests, abilities, aptitudes, values and learning styles?	Career FinderCareer Cluster SurveyInterest Profiler
Get involved in extracurricular activities like clubs, student organizations, sports and volunteer work.
If you're given opportunities to pursue academic subjects and extracurricular activities that are new to you, take them! It will help you to expand your outlook.
Look into additional academic options that may be available in your area, such as magnet programs and school enrichment programs.
Check out summer programs available in your community.
Practice your time management skills. Learning to make the most efficient use of your time can help prevent you from getting overwhelmed.	Time Management 101
Improve your reading, writing and math skills. These basic skills will serve you well in both college and career.	How to Improve Your Reading ComprehensionHow to Write Effectively

College Prep 101 - 8th Grade

8TH GRADE

All 8th grade planning steps are shown. College Planning steps are highlighted.

Counselors, teachers, parents and friends are all good sources of information. Ask them any questions you have about college, in addition to doing research on your own.
Study hard! Make sure you use good study habits and keep your grades up.	Successful Study Techniques
Start saving for college. You might want to consider signing up for a college savings account.	College Savings Calculator
Start thinking about the courses you'll take in 9th grade and select a Peach State Pathway program of study.	Your Plan of Study
Explore career interests, then link to post-high school options including technical college, military, apprenticeship, and two-year and four-year colleges.
Be aware of transitional programs planned at the local high school and middle school to help you navigate from middle school to high school. This is a critical step and you will need information to make good decisions.
Find out about academic enrichment programs, including summer and weekend programs, available through your school or local colleges.
Don't forget about extracurricular activities like sports, performing arts, volunteer work or other activities that interest you.
Investigate Advanced Placement (AP) and other honors-level courses you can take in high school to help you prepare for college or earn college credit. Explore post-secondary credit opportunities including college, technical schools, special purpose schools, apprenticeships, and the military related to your selected career interest.
Check your CRCT scores to evaluate your skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning. It's good practice.	Getting Ready for College

College Prep 101 - 9th Grade

9TH GRADE

All 9th grade planning steps are shown. College Planning steps are highlighted.

Now that you're in 9th grade, it's time to evaluate your career plans.By starting early, you'll be better prepared.	Revisit the Interest Profiler
Don't neglect your study habits! Keep up the good work, and continue to improve your study skills.	Successful Study Techniques
Continue to explore post-secondary credit opportunities including college, technical schools, special purpose schools, apprenticeships, and the military related to your selected career interest.
If you don't have one, sign up for a college savings account. If you have an existing account, be sure to add to your savings regularly.	College Savings Calculator
Talk to your guidance counselors, advisor, teachers, family members or trusted adults about your plans for college. If you're not sure if college is the best option for you, talk to your counselor.
Use Your Plan of Study to keep track of your courses and grades. Invite your counselor or advisor to view your POS.	Revisit Your Plan of Study
Find out about college entrance requirements for the schools you're interested in. Explore all your options.	College Matching Assistant
Create a file of the following documents and notes: report cards, lists of awards and honors, school and community activities, and volunteer work.
Start thinking about the colleges you want to attend. (Hint: Use our Explore Schools section to help look for schools.)	Explore Schools
Find out about AP and other honors-level courses you can take in high school to help you prepare for college or earn college credit. Explore post-secondary credit opportunities including college, technical schools, special purpose schools, apprenticeships, and the military related to your selected career interest.
Continue to get involved in campus and community activities.
Take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT), if offered in your school, to evaluate your skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning. It's good practice and your scores won't count towards your college application.	Getting Ready for College
How are you spending your summer? Volunteering and educational programs can help give you a better idea about what kind of training or career would be right for you.	Explore Schools
Consider a youth apprenticeship, internship or other work-based learning programs.
Change can be difficult — you're on your own! Try taking some small steps towards independence this year, perhaps with more responsibility around your house.

College Prep 101 - 10th Grade

10TH GRADE

All 10th grade planning steps are shown. College Planning steps are highlighted.

Keep those grades up! You might have a lot going on this year, but it's important to stay focused on your schoolwork. Calculate your GPA and see if you need to brush up on any subjects.	Successful Study Techniques
Sign up for a college savings account or continue to add money to an existing account. Talk to your parents about financial aid options. It's a good idea to start talking about how you're going to pay for college.	College Savings CalculatorFind Scholarships
Continue your conversations with your guidance counselors, teachers, family members or trusted adults about your plans to meet your education and career plans.
Find out about AP and other honors-level courses for junior year.These can help you prepare for college or earn college credit. Explore post-secondary credit opportunities including college, technical schools, special purpose schools, apprenticeships, and the military related to your selected career interest.
Update your college planning file — or start one, if you haven't already.
Continue extracurricular activities. Remember, many admissions officers look for well-rounded students who participate in the world around them.	Your Portfolio - High School Planning
If you have room in your schedule, consider a part-time job or volunteer position.
Look into participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts and sciences.
Check into work-based learning experiences such as career-related field trips, job shadowing, entrepreneurial ventures, internships, cooperative education and youth apprenticeships.
Take the PSAT in October. The scores will not count for National Merit Scholar consideration this year, but it is good practice for taking the PSAT in your junior year (when the scores will count).	Getting Ready for College Glossary
It's not too early to start studying for standardized tests like the ACT and SAT. A great place to start is with the Test Prep section.	Test Prep
Investigate your options for participating in post-secondary credit course enrollment next year. This allows juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses if they meet certain requirements. Examples include the Accel program, dual enrollment and articulated credit.	Accel Program
Make a list of reasons why you like different post-secondary institutions - programs, location, cost and so on. Visit college campuses and "tour" colleges in the Explore Schools section.	Explore SchoolsCollege Matching Assistant
Start thinking about what factors are important to you in choosing a college: size, location, availability of extracurricular activities, for example.	College Matching Assistant
Meet with your school counselor and talk with your parents and teachers to discuss future post-secondary plans: explore all your opportunities.
Keep reading! Expanding your vocabulary and learning new things will help with many things over the next few years.

College Prep 101 - 11th Grade

11TH GRADE

All 11th grade planning steps are shown. College Planning steps are highlighted.

Fall Semester
Maintaining your grades during your junior year is important! Colleges put a lot of weight on your marks for this year.	Successful Study Techniques
Make sure you're challenging yourself academically. Colleges will consider how difficult your courses are.
Now is the time to really focus your post-secondary research.	Career FinderCollege Matching Assistant
As you research education and career options, share your discoveries with your family. You'll be working together a lot over the next couple of years as you leave high school and enter college or pursue another path.
If your schedule permits, stay involved in school and community activities.
Talk to your guidance counselor or advisor about the following: Availability of and enrollment in AP classes The possibility of post-secondary credit: taking college-level courses before you graduate from high school Schedules for the PSAT, SAT I and SAT Subject Test, ACT and AP exams Why you should take these exams and how they could benefit you Getting Ready for College Which of these exams would be the best fit for you — and then sign up for those tests. Remember, you can always change your mind Getting Ready for College How to start getting ready for the exams! Test PrepGetting Ready for CollegeWhat it Takes to Ace the SATs Your academic record. Review it with your counselor and talk about ways to improve Your Plan of Study The admissions requirements for the colleges you're interested in. Do your research, and be sure to find out about any additional requirements on top of GPA and test scores College Matching Assistant
August:
Obtain schedules and forms for the SAT I, SAT Subject Test, ACT and AP exams.
Review transcript for graduation requirements according to your Peach State Pathways Program of Study.
Continue to take classes to enhance your career choice.
Update your personal information in your profile.
Continue to research career options in your selected pathway.
September:
Register for the PSAT exam offered in October. Remember that when you take the PSAT in your junior year, the scores will count towards the National Achievement Program (and it is good practice for the SAT I).
Identify sources of post-secondary information.
Utilize the Financial Aid Planning tab for information including a follow-up on previously discovered scholarship opportunities.
Obtain and read the PSAT/NMSQT Student Bulletin.
Continue to revisit career options.
Start a paper file for college catalogs and other admissions information.
Watch for college nights at any schools in your area you may want to attend.
October:
Take the PSAT. Many Merit Scholarships and the Governor's Honors Program require a Junior year score; see the PSAT bulletin for more information.	Test Prep
Continue to research post-secondary training and education.
Attend College PROBE Fair (check with your counselor/advisor for dates).
Narrow your list of colleges to include a few colleges with requirements at your current GPA, a few with requirements above your current GPA, and at least one with requirements below your GPA.	College Matching Assistant
Begin scheduling interviews with admissions representatives.
If possible, schedule tours of the school grounds on the same days.You and your parent(s) may want to visit the colleges and universities during spring break and summer vacation so you don't have to miss school.	Explore Schools
November:
Review requirements for post-secondary credit opportunities like dual enrollment for your Senior year and Youth Apprenticeship opportunities.
Attend meetings with post-secondary representatives.
December:
You will receive your scores from the October PSAT if you took it that month. Review your scores with your counselor/advisor and parents. Depending on the results, you may want to consider signing up for free online SAT prep.	Test Prep
Obtain testing schedule for ASSET, SAT I, ACT and SAT Subject Test.
Research military options, if appropriate.
Spring Semester
If you're choosing your senior year classes, look for classes that will give you a strong transcript. You'll also want to look for classes that will fit your college study plans.	Your Plan of Study
Consider looking for a summer job or internship. Not only can you earn money for college, you can also learn valuable skills.
January:
Continue with your campus tours online or in person. You want to be narrowing down your list of potential colleges.	Explore Schools
Take an interest assessment in the Career Planning section and compare to previous assessments; record your findings.
Take ASVAB (provides career information and military assessment).
Meet with post-secondary recruiters, if appropriate.
Meet with military recruiters, if appropriate.
February:
Register for the March SAT or the April ACT, or both. Research the requirements of the colleges you're interested in to learn about admission deadlines and which tests to take.	Getting Ready for College
Update your personal information in your profile.
Begin assembling your list of post-secondary opportunities that reflect your career selection needs.
Begin to accumulate information about post-secondary institutions.
March:
Take the March SAT I exam if you registered to take it this month.	What it Takes to Ace the SATsTest Prep
Register for ACT, SAT I, SAT Subject Test (if you plan to attend a two-year or four-year college or university).
Register for the ASSET (if you plan to attend a technical college in Georgia).
Use Financial Aid Planning tab to identify possible financial aid sources.
Consider post-secondary school visits during spring break.
Begin to explore summer programs and employment.
If you are interested in taking an AP exam, you should sign up now. If your school does not offer the AP exams, check with your guidance counselor to find schools in the area that do administer the exams, as well as the dates and times they're offered.
April:
Take the April ACT test if you registered for this month.	Test Prep
May:
Take the AP, ASSET, SAT I and SAT Subject Test exams.	What it Takes to Ace the SATsTest Prep
Mail NCAA eligibility, if appropriate.
Talk to teachers about writing letters of recommendation for you.Think about what you would like to include in these and politely ask your teachers if they can help.
June:
Add any new report cards, test scores, honors or awards from the year to your file.
Continue with your college visits. Call ahead for appointments with the financial aid, admissions and academic advisors at the colleges in which you are most interested.	Explore Schools
If you go on interviews or visits, don't forget to send thank-you notes.
Take the SAT I, SAT Subject TEst and the ACT tests if you're registered	What it Takes to Ace the SATsTest Prep
Take post-secondary admissions test if you did not take it in May.
Summer Between Junior and Senior Years
Continue to work on your application essays and review the application procedures for the colleges you plan to apply to.	College Application Essay Tips
Decide if you are going to apply under any early decision or early action programs. This requires you to submit your applications early, typically between October and December of your senior year.
Read your college mail and send reply cards to your schools of interest.