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Your College Plan
Freshman Year
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Build strong academic, language, mathematics and critical thinking skills by taking challenging courses.
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Study hard and get excellent grades. Colleges see your year end grades from ninth grade and the GPA becomes a part of the cumulative GPA on your transcript.
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Strengthen your vocabulary by increasing your reading.
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Get involved in extracurricular activities at school and in your community
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Browse through college websites and social media accounts to get an idea of what kinds of schools may be of interest to you.
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Check out which high school courses colleges require or prefer
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Keep an academic portfolio and co-curricular record or resume.
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Research career possibilities.
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Look for a great summer opportunity.
Sophomore Year
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Continue taking challenging courses.
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Work hard and continue to make excellent grades.
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Take the PSAT in October and the PreACT in November.
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Get more involved with your extracurricular activities.
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When you receive your PSAT results in December, read the materials sent with your score report and work on the areas you need to improve along with your teachers.
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Introduced to SCOIR and granted access
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Consider minimum and preferred high school courses for college admissions and certain career paths.
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If there are college representatives visiting in the spring, come to the visits that may be of interest to you.
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Look for a great summer opportunity.
Junior Year
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Aug. Log into SCOIR to start following colleges of interest and to sign up for college visits to RCHS.
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Oct. - Take the PSAT at school
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Feb./Mar - Log into SCOIR and Complete Junior Conference Questionnaire for students and parents. Take the ACT at school and register for March or May SAT
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Apr. - Discuss your college plans with your college counselor. Think about which teachers you will ask to write letters of recommendation.
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May - Take AP Exams, and take or retake SAT
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July - Research and visit colleges, think about your college essays.
Senior Year
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Aug. Finalize your list of colleges with your college counselor. Start a checklist of all application materials, deadlines, fees, etc. If applicable, request application fee waivers from your college counselor.
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Sept. - Create your FSA ID online in preparation to complete the FAFSA. Consult with your college counselor to determine whether Early Action/Early Decision options are appropriate for you.
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Oct. - Take or retake SAT if applying early. Follow up with teachers about recommendation letters. Start filling out financial aid forms, such as FAFSA and CSS Profile.
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Nov. - Take or retake SAT I. Submit Early Action/Early Decision applications, if applicable.
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Jan. - Submit Financial Aid forms, Sends test scores to colleges
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Feb-March. - Wait patiently for college acceptance letters.
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Apr. - Make your final decision on what college to attend
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May - Reply to all colleges
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June - Graduate - CONGRATULATIONS!!