14
College Readiness Checklist
Grade 9 Grade 10
Take challenging classes in all academic and
elective areas.
Do your best in school. Grades count, if a
course is difficult, get help from a teacher or
ask for a tutor.
Get to know your guidance counselor, and
college resources available in school.
Take an interest inventory.
Identify personal, academic and career goals.
Take challenging classes in all academic and
elective areas.
Talk to adults in a variety of professions to
determine what they like and dislike about their
jobs, and what kind of education is needed for
each kind of job.
Become involved in extracurricular activities
(before or after school), field trips and other
activities that interest you or enable you to
explore career interests.
Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss
colleges and their requirements.
Take advantage of opportunities to visit
colleges and talk to students.
Work on your resume.
Revisit your personal, academic and career
goals.
Grade 11 Grade 12
Take challenging classes in all academic and
elective areas.
Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss
colleges and their requirements.
Continue involvement in school or
community-based extracurricular activities.
Decide which colleges most interest you.
Contact these schools to request information
and admission applications. Ask about
special admission requirements, financial aid
and deadlines.
Talk to college representatives at college fairs
and take advantage of opportunities to visit
colleges and talk to students.
Consider people to ask for recommendations
from
teachers, counselors, employers, etc.
Register for and take the Scholastic Aptitude
Test (SAT I), American College Test (ACT),
SAT II Subject Tests, and any other exams
required for admission.
Update your resume and apply for a job, job
shadow opportunity or internship
Revisit your personal, academic and career
goals.
Take challenging classes in all academic and
elective areas.
Meet with your counselor to discuss plans.
Fill out the FAFSA for Federal Aid. Confirm
if you need to complete the CSS Profile.
Contact colleges to request information and
applications for admission. Be sure to ask
about financial aid, admissions requirements
and deadlines.
If possible, visit the colleges.
Take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I),
(ACT), SAT II Subject Tests, or any other
exams required for admission to the colleges
to which you are applying.
Prepare your application carefully. Follow the
instructions and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION
TO DEADLINES! Be sure to ask your
counselor and teachers at least two weeks
before your application deadlines to submit
the necessary documents to colleges (your
transcript, letter of recommendation, etc.)
Generate a College and Career Planning
Checklist