This is an action plan with suggestions to help you stay on track for college. 

• Meet with your Guidance Counselor

• Establish goals for the year, like:

  • Academic

  • Social

  • Extra-curricular

  • Outside school

  • New interests

  • Mastering existing interests

• Focus on doing well in your courses and seek extra help from peers, teachers, and tutors when needed

• Consider taking up a leadership role within your sports teams, clubs or volunteer organizations

• Attend college fairs or college open houses in your area

• Apply to College Horizons

• Apply to MAP

or

• Apply to INMED (Indians Into Medicine)

  • Even if you are not interested in the field of medicine, INMED offers a great college-like experience away from home with challenging courses.

• Analyze what you want in a college by answering the following questions:

  • Do I want a small, medium, or large school?

  • Do I prefer an urban, suburban or rural campus?

  • How far from home? How often do I want to go home?

  • What am I looking for in a student body?

  • Is graduate school part of my plan?

  • Do I want a school with a widely recognized name, or a hidden gem?

  • Are there rigorous admission requirements?

  • What academic programs am I interested in? Does the school offer them?

  • How important are the social aspects od the college (Greek, community service, organizations, sports, etc.)

  • What kind of financial aid/assistance is provided?

• Create a more targeted list of schools that meet the criteria established by your requirements

• Keep focused on doing well in classes and seek extra help when needed

• Prepare to take the ACT or SAT by taking practice tests

• In January/February, register for the ACT or SAT March–May test dates

• Schedule a time to meet with your Guidance Counselor to select courses and establish goals for Senior year

• Study and take AP exams you've completed (if applicable)

• Plan college tours of schools high on your list. Schedule tours of campus and meetings with staff to answer questions about campus life and program offerings

  • Apply to college "fly-in" opportunities to learn more about what it might be like to attend school further away from home.

• Review college application format/content (individual vs. the Common Application)

• Strategize on college essay themes

• Create a draft resume

• Establish application timelime and task list

• Use the College Planning Guide to help you evaluate potential schools and create a list of schools to investigate in more detail

• Establish summer plan, like:

  • A Summer enrichment program at a local college

  • A paying job

  • Apply to QuestBridge

  • An internship or apprenticeship

• Work with family to track college financing plan