List: College Prep Checklist – Don’t Forget About These!
- Apply for as many scholarships (especially local grants) as possible.
- Ask as many questions as you can – your guidance counselor, parents, mentors, etc.
- Contact college admission representatives to make sure your application isn’t missing any information.
- Ensure your high school graduation requirements are on track.
- Fill out the Common Application; this single app allows you to apply to hundreds of colleges, both private and public.
- Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form.
- Firm up your financial aid; find out how much grant & scholarship money you’re getting, what types of loans you need, etc.
- Follow up with your guidance counselor and look at additional career choices.
- Go to as many college fairs as you can, especially ones sponsored by your high school.
- Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss possible career choices.
- Narrow down college choices to less than five.
- Register for the ACT and SAT tests.
- Sign up for AP (advanced placement) courses, if you haven’t already done so.
- Sign up for the PSAT. If you’re following this college checklist, you’ve already completed a few practice rounds.
- Start a log of all your accomplishments and accolades; continue this until your senior year.
- Start looking into grants and scholarships; next year at this time, you’ll be eligible for actual college money!
- Take a few informal visits to colleges.
- Talk to your parents or guardians about how you’ll pay for college.
- Try to take academically challenging courses – this is the perfect way to prepare for college’s rigorous and challenging schedule.
- Visit all the colleges on your wish list.
- Take practice tests for the SAT, PSAT and other college-level entry exams.
- Talk to professionals that work in the fields you’re interested in.
