• Maintain good study habits

• Participate in extracurricular activities. Look for leadership opportunities.

• Identify career interests

• Consider dual credit courses to get a jump start on college

• Take the PSAT in October

• Prepare for the ACT and/or SAT

• Attend College Fair in the spring

• Begin the college application process by identifying college and scholarship opportunities

• Visit colleges of interest

• Select senior year courses

• Take ACT and/or SAT

• Visit Next Steps Idaho for 11th Grade preparation resources

• Visit Next Steps Idaho for 11th Grade preparation resources

• Maintain good study habits

• Participate in extracurricular activities

• Look for leadership opportunities. Some scholarships require it.

• Take dual credit courses

• Complete college application process

• Seek financial aid

• Take ACT and SAT exams or Compass Test

• See your school counselor often

September

• Check your course schedule with your guidance counselor. Make sure you are completing all graduation requirements

• Develop college application plans

• Begin working on applications. Carefully note deadlines.

• Keep track of all correspondence with colleges

• Register for ACT and SAT exams

• Look for scheduled college visits and attend information sessions

• Plan campus visits and interview, or take “virtual tours”

• Request letters of recommendation from your teachers

• Prepare your resume

• Submit requests for transcripts and counselor recommendations at least three weeks before application deadline

• Check scholarship lists on FHS website

October

• Take ACT or SAT exams

• Continue preparing and finalizing college list

• Continue meeting with college reps, visiting colleges, and interviewing

• If applying Early Decision, prepare application and request all required documents

• Obtain financial aid information from college of interest and make note of financial aid priority dates

• Review updated scholarship list on FHS website

November

• Take ACT or SAT exams

• Complete Early Decision applications

• Finalize college list

• Keep copies of all forms and completed applications

• Check scholarship lists on FHS website

December

• Take ACT or SAT exams

• Submit college applications

January/February

• Complete income taxes

• File Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)

• Review grades with school counselor. Do not drop any classes.

• Complete community service requirements

• Continue checking scholarship lists on FHS website

• Respond to college for additional information needed

• Maintain high level of academic performance

March/April

• Compare financial aid award letters from colleges

• Schedule overnight visits at top-choice colleges

• Check scholarship deadlines and turn in applications

• Investigate payment options with each college

• Make final decision for college which you plan to attend

May

• May 1st Deadline – National deadline to deposit at a college. This secures a place in the freshman class.

• Send thank yous to teachers, counselors, coaches, and others who assisted in your application process.

• Accept all or part of financial aid offered

• Notify other schools that you are declining admissions

June/July

• Attend summer orientation

• Find a summer job and save, save, save!

July/August

• Watch for your housing and roommate assignment

• Be sure you have completed all necessary paperwork

• Bills are due by the middle of August for the first semester

• Attend Fall Orientation