9th grade
-Take college prep math-Algebra 1 or Geometry
-Take a foreign language
-Earn a ‘C’ or better in all classes (colleges do not accept D grades and you will have to
repeat any D/Fail grade earned)
-Begin to participate in school clubs/activities, volunteer work, and community service
-Visit the college center and begin to meet the college representatives who visit the
school
-Attend local college fairs
-Visit local colleges to see if you would like to attend there after graduation, find out
what the requirements are to be admitted.
Classes
Requirements First Semester Second Semester Notes
(class name and grade) (class name and grade)
English
Mathematics
Foreign Language
Biology or Tech Art
Life Skills/Health
PE
Summer school is used to ‘fix’ any D or Fail grades earned or attend a community
college for enrichment
10th grade
-Earn a C or better grade in all classes, but try to earn a B or better average, as this year
and next year are the years the colleges will evaluate your grades & course work
-Take the PSAT (practice SAT test)
-Your math class should be college prep (Geometry or Algebra 2)
-Take second year of foreign language
-Continue to be involved in your school &/or community
-Visit the college center and continue to meet the representatives
-Attend the college fair
-Visit colleges during vacations, school breaks or on weekends
Classes
Requirements First Semester Second Semester Notes
(class name and grade) (class name and grade)
English
Mathematics
World History
Biology or
Chemistry
Foreign Language
PE
*Summer School is used to ‘fix’ any D/Fail grades or take an enrichment class at community
college
11th grade
-Take the PSAT in October (it is only given one day per year)
-Take the ACT & SAT’s in Spring (both SAT Reasoning & SAT Subject)
-Continue to earn the best grades possible, remember this is an important year for your
college applications & financial aid GPA
-Take the third math class in the college prep sequence (Algebra 2 or Trig/Math
Analysis)
-Take another science class, preferably chemistry, physics or AP Bio
-Take a the third year of a foreign language
-Discuss with your parents your future plans
-Continue to be involved in your school &/or community
-Visit colleges during vacations, school breaks or on weekends
-Begin to live in the college center, meet the college representatives visiting the campus.
–Become familiar with the college counselor tell them about you, your interests,
career/education plans
-Call or email colleges to get information sent to you, begin to narrow down your list of
colleges you will apply to. Plan to apply to 4-5 colleges
-Research colleges over the Internet. The website for CSU is www.csumentor.edu and
the website for UC is www.ucop.edu/pathways
-Attend the college fair
-Athletes apply to the NCAA if they plan to play sports in college at
www.ncaaclearinghouse.net
Classes
Requirements First Semester Second Semester Notes
(class name and grade) (class name and grade)
English
Mathematics
US History
Chemistry or
Physics
Foreign Language
Academic Elective
Fine Art
* Summer school is now the last time to ‘fix’ any D/Fail grades
th
12 grade
-Apply to 4-5 college/universities-most colleges/universities prefer applications
completed over the Internet, if you can not apply ‘on-line’ then contact the colleges to
request paper applications. UC website is www.ucop.edu/pathways , the CSU website is
www.csumentor.edu
-Identify the application deadline for each college; be sure to apply at least one week
prior to the application deadline. Keep a copy of your application, if applying by paper
send your application with a ‘certificate of mailing’ receipt from the post office
-In January apply for financial aid-deadline is March 2.
-Apply for scholarships (local scholarships will be available February-April)
-Sign up to take the SAT’s in September or October and perhaps again in November or
December, registration is over the Internet at www.collegeboard.com *all testing must be
complete by December.
-Take a forth math class especially if you are planning to major in engineering or the
science field
-Take another science class (majoring in science)
-Take another year of a foreign language (if you enjoy it)
-Continue with your involvement in school/community
-Discuss with your parents your future plans
-Visit colleges during vacations, school breaks or on weekends
-Make the college center your permanent home away from home, continue to interview
the college representatives who are visiting the school, continue to become familiar with
your college counselor and let them know about you, your interests, career/education
plans/goals
-Attend campus open houses & receptions so the schools know you are seriously
interested in attending their school (this is especially helpful for the private out-of-state
schools to stay on the top of their list)
Classes
Requirements First Semester Second Semester Notes
(class name and grade) (class name and grade)
English
Mathematics
elective
Government &
Economics
Science elective
Foreign Language
Academic Elective
A Guide for
Preparing for College
Nancy Budar
College Counselor