Embedded Files
College-bound HS Checklist
Tips as you navigate four years of high school and begin to think about college...
Freshman Year
Focus on your grades!
HS is a time for discovery! Start getting involved at school or in our community through extracurricular activities, jobs, or volunteering.
Start keeping track of your activities & accomplishments. A GoogleDoc that you can always update would be great!
Sophomore Year
Focus on your grades!
Stay involved & seek new opportunities. Consider taking on leadership roles in your activities.
Start looking into colleges. Go to college fairs (Mr. Salme will announce these field trips).
Take the PSAT.
Update your activities & accomplishments GoogleDoc.
Junior Year
Focus on your grades!
Take advanced classes (College in the HS or Running Start).
Draft your list of colleges you're interested in. Ask Mr. Salme for help!
Continue being involved and looking into leadership roles in your extracurriculars.
Continue updating your activities/accomplishments GoogleDoc.
Continue looking at colleges. Attend college fairs. Make college visits (ideally, during school days...but weekends & summer are fine, too!). Visit all the colleges on your list!
Take the SAT or ACT (in the Fall).
Senior Year
Focus on your grades!
Continue taking advanced classes.
Continue being involved and assuming leadership roles.
Continue updating your activities/accomplishments GoogleDoc.
Have your parents file the FAFSA in October. This is a college requirement, for financial aid.
Retake SAT or ACT for a better score?
Use the PrepScholar website to compare your ACT/SAT/GPA to the average scores at the colleges you're considering!
Finalize your college list, determine which colleges & scholarships you're applying to, which financial aid applications you'll fill out, and be on top of your deadlines!
Make a calendar to mark down deadlines!
Ask teachers for recommendations. See Mr. Salme for a form to complete to hand your teachers when you ask, and provide two weeks' notice before you need them.
Have Mr. Salme submit transcripts to the colleges you're applying to. (You'll also need to send CC/CWU/EWU transcripts if you did Running Start or College in the HS)
Helpful College links (students & parents):
Helpful College links (students & parents):
Ready Set Grad helps students earn their high school diploma and postsecondary credential. We are your resource to find, pay for, and complete the education path that’s right for you or the student in your life. The tools, information, and supports on this website are provided by the Washington Student Achievement Council.
FAFSA (opens October 1)
Need money for college? Complete the FAFSA® (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) form to apply for financial aid for college, career school, or graduate school.
College: Financial Literacy (Annuity.org)
A college education is one of the most important investments you will ever make. By managing how you pay for school and what you spend money on, you can worry less about debt and more about your career come graduation time.
The College Board connects students to college success and opportunity, helping them transition to college through programs and services in college readiness. This site also includes tons of information on SAT tests: registration, Khan Academy individualized test-prep practice, and more!
College Board for Parents/Guardians
This website is for parents, guardians, relatives, and other adults helping a student plan for college. Sign up to receive emails and texts with college info, advice, and reminders.
Learn about financial aid, search for schools that are the perfect fit for you, and start your step-by-step college plan! Do you have social media? If so, follow BigFuture on Facebook and @MyBigFuture on Twitter!
College Knowledge (WA College Access Network)
Excellent resources and handouts for all HS students with questions regarding college and opportunities after high school.
Everything you need to know about the ACT test, including registration, test prep, scores and more!
Could you possibly play a sport in college? You need to be certified by the NCAA Eligibility Center to compete at an NCAA Division I or II school. Create a Certification Account and we'll guide you through the process.
What are colleges looking for?
What are colleges looking for?
Report abuse