College Planning Timeline
9th Grade
August
Students are registered for Naviance Student during the first semester of 9th grade.
Goal: Introduce students to Naviance and familiarize them with the available features.
Agenda:
- Introduce “my checklist” on the “about me” tab.
- My game plan - begin thinking about college preferences (We encourage students to answer each question and select “save changes” which allows them to return at a later time and update their preferences.
- List “colleges I’m thinking about” and begin your research.
- My Personality Type - complete the profile in the 9th grade, knowing that we can reset it and allow them to take it again in the 10th or 11th grade.
- Begin/continue Cluster Finder and Interest Survey.
- Learning Style Inventory: discover your learning and working style.
- Begin building your Expanded Activity Resume - join clubs, community service, etc.
September
Students and parents are invited to attend the IWA College Fair.
October
Students take the PSAT Test.
January
Students will meet with their counselor to review course selections for the following school year.
10th Grade
August
Naviance and College and Career Readiness Orientation with high school counselors.
Agenda:
- Review and Update “colleges I’m thinking about” and continue college research.
- Roadtrip Nation - Explore careers with leaders in a wide variety of career fields.
- Complete surveys as needed and evaluate the results.
- Attend college presentations on campus to learn criteria for admission.
- Review transcript in Naviance and begin using Scattergrams and Compare Me.
- Continue to build your Expanded Activity Resume - join clubs, community service, internships, etc.
September
Students and parents are invited to attend the IWA College Fair.
October
Students take the PSAT test.
February
Students will meet with counselors to review course selections for the following school year.
11th Grade
August
Naviance Orientation and College Readiness Next Steps with high school counselors.
Agenda:
- Review and Update “colleges I’m thinking about.”
- Complete all assessments in the “about me” tab by the end of your junior year. Assessments will indicate Career Clusters and occupations that match your interests and will be unique to you.
- Gaining insight into careers can help select a college major.
- Check out the latest salaries by career field by state, as per the U.S. Department of Labor and Statistics.
- Research colleges via virtual tours and use filters to identify characteristics you are seeking in a university.
- Utilize Scattergrams and the Compare Me Tool to analyze the likelihood of admission into various universities.
- Go to the About Me Tab>My Stuff>Documents Shared with Me to view your updated Unofficial Transcript and see your latest GPA.
- Roadtrip Nation - Explore careers with leaders in a wide variety of career fields.
September
Students and parents are invited to attend the IWA College Fair.
Juniors are advised to take a minimum of two SAT Exams and one ACT exam.
October
Students will take the PSAT/NMSQT (Qualifying Test for National Merit/National Hispanic Scholars).
November and December
Junior Conference: Students and parents meet individually with their counselor.
Goal: Discuss course selections for 12th grade. Review prospective college list and beginning narrowing choices. Confirm registration for ACT and/or SAT. Review test preparation options for ACT & SAT. Review college visit practices and procedures. Juniors are allowed two school days to visit colleges.
- Review graduation requirements
- Review 4-year graduation plan and discuss course selections
Spring Semester
Students take the ACT and/or the SAT (Be sure to send test scores to the colleges you are considering as part of your test registration).
For a list of test dates, visit the ACT and SAT websites.
March, April, and May
Continue college research and building your Expanded Activity Resume.
12th Grade
August
Naviance Orientation and College Application Next Steps with high school counselors.
Counselors will meet with students through their English classes.
Goal: Review the college application process and prepare students to begin college applications.
Agenda:
- Application Checklist - printed and emailed to seniors and parents.
- Prospective Colleges - “colleges I’m thinking about” update and move to “colleges I’m applying to.”
- Request official transcripts via Naviance.
- Resume - Expanded Activity Resume using Action Verbs.
- Check dates on college websites and meet all application and scholarship deadlines.
- Take the TSI, if required by the university.
- Take additional SAT and/or ACT Tests and send all scores to each university on your application list.
- College Essays
- Complete IWA Letter of Recommendation Forms for Teachers, Counselors, and Personal recommenders and make your request at least two weeks in advance.
- Application types
- Common App
- ApplyTexas
- SENDedu
- College’s own application
- Housing
- Request to attend college rep visits via Naviance.
- Roadtrip Nation - Explore careers with leaders in a wide variety of career fields.
- Review college search, college lookup, maps, enrichment programs, resources.
- Attend on campus College Application Workshops.
September
Parents are invited to attend Senior Parent Meeting.
Students and parents are invited to attend the IWA College Fair.
Goal: Provide students and parents with the opportunity to interact with colleges and universities through one-on-one conversations with college admissions advisors.
Students are encouraged to research and complete scholarship applications all year.
October
Financial Aid for College Night - Presentation for parents.
FAFSA and CSS/Financial Aid Profile become available.
Financial Aid Workshops for seniors and parents.
February
Students are encouraged to research and complete scholarship applications all year.
May
Students notify college regarding acceptance of offer of admission. Students must withdraw all other applications.
Request Final Transcript be sent to the university you will be attending via Naviance.
Write a sincere thank-you note to each adult who took his or her time to write you a recommendation or help you out in this lengthy process.
Graduate, CONGRATULATIONS!