College Preparation starting from 8th Grade at JC Education   

8th grade

  • Manage your GPA from here by using homelinks
  • Plan your math honors classes from 9th grade so you can start you AP classes from 10th grade
  • Focus your interest in an extracurricular activity to continue throughout high school: sports,     instruments, visual art, performing art, etc.
  • Choose an unpopular sport because it’s less competitive, and become a captain
  • Join and participate in club activities, and take a leadership role if possible
  • Read, Read, Read!

9TH GRADE

  • State Colleges (Universities) do not count the 9th GPA, however overall GPA and class rank is very important
  • Again Read and Read—it will help manage your GPA, PSAT, SAT, ACT test prep, etc.
  • Expand your Vocabulary
  • No grade below “B”

10TH GRADE

  • Start to take SAT practice tests so that you can be able to take the real SAT by the end of 10th grade
  • Start to take AP Classes—take at least 1 AP class
  • Take honor classes (math, science)
  • Continue to participate in club activities
  • Don’t be overloaded with volunteering hours—you only need to satisfy required hours.  (keep a record)
  • Take SAT Subject Tests
  • Build good relationships with teachers and your counselor

11TH GRADE

  • Take SAT I, or ACT and take the PSAT to get the National Merritt Scholarship
  • By now, you are done with SAT I and SAT Subject Tests
  • Take AP exams and try to receive a score of 3 or better
  • Narrow down college choices (1st, 2nd,3rd choices)
  • School tours are recommended

12TH GRADE

  • Prepare college applications and essays
  • By now, you must have a catalogue from the college you wish to attend
  • Grades in 12th grade do not get evaluated for acceptance, however, if a student doesn’t do well, especially if he or she does not pass a class, his or her acceptance to the college can be revoked

12TH GRADE Schedule

*****July*****
-Contact schools by email and ask for information to be sent, including the application form
-Research scholarships
Visit schools and talk to a pre-admission advisor, if available

www.collegeboard.com
www.collegeconfidential.com
www.review.com
www.petersons.com
 

*****August*****
-Find out prompt for the college essay(s) and finish first draft
-Write a Personal Letter of Intent if it is required by the college
-Research Scholarship
www.fastweb.com
www.wirescholar.com
www.supercollege.com
-Finish your SAT subject tests and if you still need to take the SAT or ACT, then check the schedule and register
-Register NCAA Clearing, if you are applying for a sport in Div. I or II

*****September*****
-Continue filling out your college applications
-Narrow down your college choices (it’s always better to have three choices)
-If required by the college you are applying to, start to talk to people who you would like to write your recommendation letters and have them ready
-Register a CSS Profile (need-based financial aid)
-Finish registering the last tests (October and November SAT,ACT,SAT Subject)


*****October*****
-Ready to submit Early Decision/Action form
-Complete the College Application
-Request recommendation letters/transcript to your school teacher and counselor. Make sure you provide them a return envelope with US postage if they are not doing it online
-Complete the CSS Profile form and financial documents
-DO NOT FORGET DEADLINES FOR APPLICATIONS (REMEMBER SOME COLLEGES WILL HAVE DIFFERENT DEADLINE DATES)
-Send your application earlier for colleges that have Rolling Admission such as U of Michigan, Arizona, Oregon, Wisconsin, Colorado, etc.


*****November*****
-Start to schedule interviews (If needed)
-Application is due—send it online (if by mail, do not forget to make copies of all documents)


*****December*****
-Open FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) Application and receive your pin number
www.fafsa.ed.gov
-Contact colleges and request financial aid and scholarship materials
-Go over your checklists for the application and find out if there are any additional documents to be sent.
-Remember to make copies of all the documents for yourself
-Take last SAT I, ACT (if needed)

*****January (new year)*****
-Submit the FAFSA (They are first come first serve)
-Contact and find out if the schools you applied for received all the documents


*****February*****
-Confirm your CSS profile, FAFSA, and GPA Verification for Cal Grant and Supplementary Financial Aid documents have been received (Most colleges will end on February 1st/priority filing)
-Do your best to finish the 2nd semester of your final school year strong


*****March/April*****
-You will receive acceptance letters and waiting list letters during these months
-Make a final decision (carefully choose the school you wish to attend—visiting schools will help, and a comparison of maximum financial aid offers from each school is needed)
-If you receive a waiting list letter from the school you want to attend, do not give up, but continue to contact them and find out if they need any updated or additional information


*****May*****
-Let your chosen school know you will surely attend and confirm the address for sending your final transcript
(You may only choose 1 school and sending a “Thank you, but I’m regrettably declining” letter is polite)
-Also send a “Thank You” card to all the people who helped you in your college application process
-Send tuition deposit to the school
- PLAN YOUR LAST SUMMER VACATION WELL BEFORE STARTING COLLEGE!
 Information can be updated as needed