College Planning

  • Post-Secondary Planning

     

    Freshmen and Sophomore Year:

     Semester 1

    - Challenge yourself academically and take a variety of classes to explore different academic and elective areas.

    - Grades are important from day one! Find a study strategy that works for you!

    - Visit www.ruready.nd.gov to discover your interests and research careers.

    - Meet with your counselor or career advisor and discuss your four-year plan.

    - Get involved with extra-curricular activities.

    - Ask for help and take advantage of school resources if you are struggling with a class.

    - Talk to your teachers!

    - Learn how to manage money.

    Semester 2

    - Volunteer for community groups and events.

    - Begin planning your college finances. 

    - Look for ways to improve your writing skills.

    - Research colleges (courses and majors you are interested in, locations, size, cost).

    - Visit with adults who went to college and ask questions about what to expect, how they chose their major, etc.

    - Sophomore year – start preparing for the ACT.

    - Read as much as possible!

    - Practice your social skills and become comfortable visiting with adults.

    - Be careful with your texts, posts and tweets.

    - Summer jobs help you learn important life skills and how to manage your money.  www.tinyurl.com/mustangstudentjobs

     

    Junior Year:

     Semester 1

    - Take rigorous courses to prepare for your post-secondary plans.

    - Meet with your school counselor or career advisor to discuss your post-secondary plans.

    - Practice good study habits.

    - Visit www.ruready.nd.gov to take career interest assessments.

    - Go on MULTIPLE college campus visits!

    - When choosing a college, FIRST choose a Major, THEN find a college that has that major!

    - Attend a college fair.

    Semester 2

    - Start your scholarship search.  www.tinyurl.com/mustangscholarships

    - Take the ACT.

    - Create a list or resume with your extracurricular activities, past/current jobs, volunteer activities and awards to use when applying to college, for scholarships, or full-time employment.

    - Talk to your career advisor about a job shadow.

    - Go on MULTIPLE college campus visits.

    - Discuss options for paying for college with your family.

    - Be careful with your texts, posts, and tweets.

     

    Senior Year:

     Semester 1

    - Continue taking courses that challenge you and electives to help explore and solidify your interests.

    - Retake the ACT if you are unhappy with your score.

    - Visit www.ruready.nd.gov to research interests and careers if you are still undecided.

    - Sign up for an FSA ID at www.fsaid.ed.gov so you can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in October. Both the parent/guardian and the student will need their own FSA ID.

    - Complete the FAFSA at www.studentaid.ed.gov to qualify for grants and loans to help pay for college.

    - Apply to several colleges you would like to attend and make note of upcoming deadlines.

    - Check the Scholarship link weekly!  www.tinyurl.com/mustangscholarships

     Semester 2

    - Meet scholarship deadlines.

    - Review your financial aid package and make final decisions on the college of your choice.

    - Submit all forms necessary for your colleges, including housing and orientation.

    - Request your final transcript to be sent to the college you will be attending.

    - If you are not attending college after high school, meet with the career advisor to explore 18+ employment options.