planning_for_college_sophomore_year

							          Planning for College: Sophomore Timeline
       (Ongoing: Take the most challenging courses your abilities will allow, while
      maintaining the highest grades possible. Develop good study habits. Search for
    scholarships online, in local newspapers and by visiting college/university websites.
       Visit DHS’s College & Career Center website often to learn about scholarship
                             opportunities AND MUCH MORE.)

                           Fall of Sophomore Year
     Study for your upcoming PSAT/NMSQT (given in mid-October during the
      school day and paid for by SISD). The PSAT is a preliminary test that will
      prepare you for the SAT. Go to www.collegeboard.com for online study
      information or come to the College & Career Center for a free study guide.
     If you plan to take the ACT, talk to your College & Career Counselor about
      taking the PLAN this fall. The PLAN is a preliminary test that will give you
      some preparation for the ACT.
     Attend College Night, a college fair with over 100 college & military
      representatives from throughout the United States. Watch for signs posted
      around DHS or come by the College & Career Center for exact date in
      September. This event will be hosted by one of our SISD high schools.
     Attend the Performing & Visual Arts College Night hosted by Rice University
      each September, if you are interested in majoring in the Arts. Go to
      www.nacacnet.org/MemberPortal/Events/CollegeFairs/ more information.
     Attend the Financial Aid session provided during College Night.
     It is never too early to start your college search: Make lists of your abilities,
      preferences, and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and
      do in college. Surf the web, check university websites and write colleges to
      get on their email or mailing list.
     Jumpstart your college planning by reading about majors and careers. Go to
      www.collegeboard.com/csearch/majors_careers
     Use College Search at www.collegeboard.com to find colleges with the right
      characteristics. Begin researching colleges at www.campustours.com
     Attend Saturday events on college/university campuses. To learn about the
      events, come by the College & Career Center or visit college/university
      websites.
     Make a file to manage your college search, testing, volunteer work, and
      application data.
     Stay “on top of” your academic work. If necessary, meet with your teacher
      for additional help.
     Have you joined Spring ISD’s Distinguished Service Program (a program to
      encourage volunteer work that is open to all students)? Your volunteer work
      now will look good on your resume, college & scholarship applications. Come
      by the College & Career Center to learn more!
     Are you interested in transferring to Carl Wunsche Sr. High School next year?
      Remember, you must apply online during the month of October & submit your
      essay. Tour Wunsche in October if you’d like to learn more about the
      opportunities available on this campus.


                        Winter of Sophomore Year
     Meet with your College Connections Counselor after new GPA is calculated
      (around February) to discuss your GPA/Class Rank & College Admissions
     Your 10th grade PSAT/NMSQT score will be retuned to you in early January.
      Use it to improve your skills and prepare for the SAT. Attend the PSAT
      Explanation Night in January or see your College & Career Counselor if you
      need help understanding your results.
     When completing your course selection sheet for next year, think carefully
      about the classes you select. Are you challenging yourself? Are you taking
      courses that will most prepare you for college & your future career?
                     Spring of Sophomore Year

   Get ready for SAT and ACT. Take full length practice tests available at
    www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/prep-one/prep/one.html and
    www.actstudent.org/sampletest/index.html
   Plan summer activities early. Enrich yourself by volunteering, getting an
    interesting job or internship or signing up for special summer enrichment
    programs.
   Review your junior year class schedule with your counselor. Challenge
    yourself with honors, dual credit or AP classes. Ensure high school course
    selections for your junior year meet the college admissions requirements.
   Watch for a letter in the mail inviting you to become a part of the “Bridge
    Program”. This program will allow you to take the college placement test
    (COMPASS) for free during a Saturday in March. This is a $29 value. The
    results from the COMPASS will help you know if you are at or near college
    level in Reading/Writing & Math. Those at college level Reading/Writing may
    take dual credit (college level) classes in the summer or during the upcoming
    school year. Those scoring below college level will be given information on
    how to strengthen their skills and may retest for free during March of their
    junior year again to track their improvement.


      Spring Break/Summer Prior to Junior Year
   Visit Colleges, talk to college students. Start visiting local colleges: large,
    small, public, and private. Get a feel for what works for you. Develop a list
    of 15-20 colleges that interest you. Search for colleges at My College List:
    www.collegeboard.com and other websites
   Make sure you are lined up for High School graduation.
   Go to Spring ISD’s summer school if needed.
   Take a dual credit class at Lone Star College North Harris this summer. A
    great class is U.S. History dual credit. This is a 6-week summer class, but
    awards one full year of high school credit for U.S. History & gets you top
    grade points. See the College & Career Counselor for details during April or
    May. College placements and fees required.
   Sign up with the College & Career Counselor if you are interested in attending
    “College Quest” (a 4-day camp for rising sophomores, buses will visit at least
    5 college campuses, usually held during the first week after school gets out
    for the summer, cost is approx. $35, limited space so inquire around Spring
    Break if you are interested)
   Begin organizing, planning, and writing college application essays ( check the
    college/university website to if they require an essay)
   Make your summer productive. Continue reading to increase your
    vocabulary.