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A College-Bound Student's Guidelines
College Timeline
Here is a list of tasks that will guide you to college admissions. Tasks labeled "S" are for students to complete. Tasks labeled "S/P" are for students and parents to complete together.
AUGUST OR EARLY SEPTEMBER |
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Activity or Task
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9
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10
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11
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12
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| Take challenging couses; note progress towards graduation & college. |
S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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| Apply for a social security card for work or for college |
S
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S
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S
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S
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SEPTEMBER |
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Activity or Task
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9
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10
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11
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12
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| Develop strong study skills; identify school staff to assist you |
S
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S
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S
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S
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| Participate in extra-curricular activities, clubs, or other organizations |
S
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S
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S
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S
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| Contact the counseling center for dates of Career Days or College Nights |
S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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| Sign up at school take the PSAT, Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test |
S
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| Begin to research scholarship opportunities |
S
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| Register for ACT or SAT tests, if applicable |
S
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| Finalize 1st, 2nd, 3rd choices for colleges |
S
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OCTOBER |
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Activity or Task
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9
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10
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11
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12
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| Take the PSAT. Check "yes" for Student Search Service on the test |
S
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S
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S
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S
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| Register for the SAT I or SAT II or ACT |
S
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Ask for necessary letters of recommendation |
S
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| Obtain college applications at your school or by contacting the campus |
S
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| Surf the net for future careers or colleges |
S
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S
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S
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| Inquire about applying for EOP, the Educational Opportunity Program |
S
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| Attend College Nights or college represtative meetings |
S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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| Begin to write an essay about yourself for college admission |
S
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| Identify staff who can write strong recommendation letters |
S
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NOVEMBER |
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Activity or Task
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9
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10
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11
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12
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| Mail admission aplication to US and CSU systems |
S/P
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| Obtain recommendation letters by November 15th |
S
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| Pick up FAFSA, Free Application for Federal Student Aid |
S
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| Have your transcripts sent to requesting colleges |
S
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| Explore careers by interviewing adults in a variety of occupations |
S
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S
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| To attend a Service (Armed Forces) Academy, contact a representative |
S/P
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S/P
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| Mid-year graduates can obtain community college applicatons |
S
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DECEMBER |
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Activity or Task
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9
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10
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11
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12
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| The last month to take the ACT or SATs for UC |
S
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| Attend school-sponsored meetings on the Financial Aid process |
S/P
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S/P
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| Review the FAFSA form; complete as much as possible before January |
P
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| Visit college campuses during vacation |
S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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JANUARY |
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Activity or Task
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9
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10
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11
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12
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| File FAFSA and Cal Grant GPA verification form after January 1 |
S/P
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| Discuss PSAT scores with our counselor to prepare for SAT |
S
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| Mid-year graduates request final transcript for college |
S
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| See your school scholarship advisor to discuss local sholarships |
S
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| If you plan to take AP exams, register with the AP Coordinator |
S
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| If required by colleges, request that seventh semester transcripts be sent |
S
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| Inquire about learning opportunities like ROP orcommunity college |
S
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S
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| Record progress towards graduation or college; plan for next year |
S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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FEBRUARY |
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Activity or Task
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9
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10
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11
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12
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| Ask your scholarship advisor about CSF (California Scholarship Federation) |
S
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S
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S
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S
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| Update your "portfolio" for a job or college applications |
S
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S
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S
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S
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| Use PSAT scores to begin college search |
S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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| Review materials on colleges, jobs, and career fields |
S
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S
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S
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| Ask about scholarships from a parent's employer |
S/P
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S/P
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| Register for the SAT I, SAT II or ACT |
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| File FAFSA no later than March |
S
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| Ensure tht your school sent your GPA Verification Form to Cal Grants |
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| File College Scholarship Service PROFILE, if required |
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| Follow specific campus guidelines regarding housing |
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MARCH |
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Activity or Task
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9
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10
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11
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12
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| Plan your summer activity: school, work or community |
S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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S/P
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| Take the high school exit exam if not on year-round school |
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| Mail SAT I/ACT/SAT II registration forms for spring |
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| Apply to community college; take placement exams |
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| Attend college informational meetings and visit campuses |
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APRIL |
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Activity or Task
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9
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10
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11
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12
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| Register for summer classes at community colleges or ROP |
S
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S
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S
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| Start researching summer jobs and begin "networking" |
S
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| Start researching colleges; develop a list of colleges to contact or visit |
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| Investigate financial aid from Federal, State, and private sources |
S/P
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| Return intent to register forms to your chosen campus before the May 1st |
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| Notify the colleges you are not attending |
S
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MAY/JUNE |
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Activity or Task
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9
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10
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11
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12
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| Take the high school exit exam if on year-round school |
S
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| Get a job and save your earnings |
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S
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| Take AP exams and/or SATI/ACT/SAT II |
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| ATHLETES: To play college athletics, you must be certified by the NCAA Clearinghouse at the begining of secons semester |
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| Take Subject A exam if attnending the University of California in fall |
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| Register for summer programs at college campuses |
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| Contact your Congressional Representative to apply for a military academy |
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| Notify scholarship advisor of grants to be included in Awards Assembly |
S/P
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| Ensure that your school sent your final transcript to your chosen college |
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| Thank those who helped you, e.g., those who wrote recomendations |
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| Return forms for on-campus orientation programs to your campus |
S
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JULY |
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Activity or Task
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9
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10
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11
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12
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| Send for college applications if you plan to be a mid-year graduate |
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| Tour college campuses during summer vacation |
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| Continue with work or school or do a Communiy Service project |
S
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