LACES College Center Checklist HIGH SCHOOL
9th Grade
Students: Sign-up to take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test) in September of the 8th and 9th grade year. This exam helps you prepare for the SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) in high school. Colleges and universities require that students take this exam for admissions selection. The more time you take the PSAT, the better prepared you will be to take the SAT in high school.
Students: Remember to enroll in a math and foreign language class each year that you are in high school. Courses that you will need to take are Algebra I and II, Geometry and a foreign language class such as Spanish, French, Italian, etc.
Parents: Continue to talk about college and university opportunities with your children.
Students: Make appointments with your counselor to inquire how well you are progressing in the academic classes needed for colleges.
Parents/Students: Take the opportunity and attend 'College Days' or ' College Nights' at your school.
Parents: Continue to call or see your child's counselor periodically.
Students: Continue to maintain "A's" and "B's" in your classes.
10th Grade
Review your 9th and 10th grade class schedules with your school guidance counselor to make sure that you have taken, and are taking, the college preparatory courses required for admissions to a selective university.
Maintain an "A" or "B" grade point average.
You can choose to take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholarship Assessment Test) this year, rather than waiting until the 11th grade. Speak with your school guidance counselor about test dates, descriptive questionnaires , registration fees, and registration fee waivers. See also the 11th grade checklist.
Update your personal file with materials and information at the end of each semester.
Continue visits to local colleges and universities with your family and friends.
Participate in academic enrichment programs.
11th Grade September
Register for PSAT.
Be sure you are taking a strong academic program.
Purchase or borrow college reference books.
Plan the next two years extracurricular and community service activities.
Be sure you have a Social Security Number.
Learn LACES CEEB Code Number 051-561.
Apply to CSF if you are eligible.
October
Take the PSAT.
Study hard- these grades count!
Keep a file of awards, honors and volunteer work.
November
Begin to familiarize yourself with college jargon.
Keep your grades up.
December
Talk to your senior friends about their applications.
Begin SAT studying.
Read- anything and everything! The more you read, the higher your SAT/ACT scores will be.
January
Consider and research colleges. Use handbooks, videos, computer programs in the College Office; College Board, Expan, My Road.
Begin SAT studying.
Read- anything and everything! The more you read, the higher your SAT/ACT scores will be.
Using PSAT results, begin to narrow range of colleges.
February
Plan your testing schedule.
Sign up for SAT 1.
Apply to CSF if you are eligible.
Consider a college summer program.
March
Register for AP exams.
Sign up for SAT I, ACT, SAT II.
Begin visits to nearby colleges.
Research interesting and challenging summer courses, job or activity.
Schedule a meeting with the College Counselor and your family to discuss college options.
Attend College Knowledge Night at LACES.
April
Use spring break to visit a college.
Take the ACT.
Send for college view books.
Attend the National College Fair.
Remember to read.
Plan an interesting and challenging summer.
May
Take the SAT or SAT II.
AP exams.
Plan a challenging senior year.
June
SAT I or SAT II Take the ACT.
Study hard for your finals.
Summer
Do something extraordinary.
Send for applications.
Begin your personal statement/ essay for college.
Study for your SATs.
Read- anything and everything! The more you read, the higher your SAT/ACT scores will be.
12th Grade September
Register early for SAT/ACT/SAT II.
Send for applications.
Begin a file for each college.
Photocopy applications and begin to fill out draft.
Be sure you are taking the correct courses for the colleges of your choice.
Get off to a good start academically.
Make an appointment with the College Counselor if you haven't completed your college list.
AVOID SENIORITIS!
October
Take the SAT I or ACT.
If you need a letter of recommendation, make an appointment with the College Counselor.
Begin filling out UC and/or CSU applications.
UC applications must be postmarked between October 1st and November 30th. Work on college essays.
Many college representatives will come to LACES. Come to the College Center to make an appointment and talk to your teacher.
Plan college visits.
Get a copy of your unofficial transcript.
November
Take SAT I or SAT II.
Remember to get a proof of mailing at the Post Office for your UC application.
CSU priority deadline is November 30.
Most Early Action and Early Decision deadlines are this month.
Think about which teachers you will ask to write letters of recommendation, if you need them.
Ask politely for teacher recommendations - remember to provide SASE (by end of November).
December
Last time to take SAT I, ACT, or SAT II for UC's.
Remember UC's need 2 SAT II's
Remember to get proofs of mailing at the post office for all your applications.
Financial Aid applications (FAFSA) are available in the College Office.
January
File FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.
UC deadline for scholarships is this month.
Bring midyear report forms to College Center.
If your college wants fall grades, request them from the Counseling Office.
Continue to check for scholarships.
PROFILE (financial aid form for private colleges) should be sent by the end of the month.
February
Check that colleges have received all materials, applications, test scores (sent by ETS), and financial aid forms.
Carefully read all information from colleges.
Continue to check for scholarships.
Contact your local community college for applications.
Make sure you have requested all required mid-year reports to be sent.
March
UC decisions will be mailed this month.
If colleges request additional information, send it to them immediately.
Register for AP exams.
Register for CSU placement tests.
If you are accepted to a college, please come to the College Center and let Ms. London know.
April
All colleges should respond.
Decide where you wish to go.
Financial aid offers will begin to arrive.
If you are on a wait list, write letter of sincere interest and send any supporting material you can.
If you are accepted to a college, please come to the College Center and let Ms. London know.
May
AP exams.
Make final decision - send notification and deposit by May 1.
Fill out housing forms.
Write "Thanks, but no thanks" letter to colleges you are not attending.
Subject A test for UC bound students.
Inform the College Counselor if you have received a scholarship, so it can be included in Senior Awards.
June
Graduation!
Order final transcript from Counseling Office to be sent to the college you will attend.
Summer
Make sure you have responded to all requests by your college.
Remember to thank everybody who helped you this year - your parents, relatives, teachers and friends.
