College Planning
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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.