Soaring to the Future
Graham Kapowsin High School
12th Grade Planning Timeline
FALL
o Visit college/universities
o Fall is a great time to visit colleges because classes are in session and you may be able
to meet and talk with students and professors.
o Stay on track with your grades and extracurricular activities.
o Colleges will look at what you’ve done your senior year, so stay focused on doing well.
o Evaluate Your Education Options
o Decide whether you want to pursue full-time employment, further education or training
(two-year college, four-year college, or apprenticeship) or a military career.
o If you are still undecided, visit the GKHS Career Center or see your counselor.
o Take standardized tests.
o Register for and take ACT, SAT, and SAT Subject tests as necessary.
o Take the ASVAB if you are planning a military career.
o Keep track of deadlines.
o You’ll be filling out many forms this year. Know when forms are due by making a
calendar with deadlines for employment applications, college admission, financial aid,
scholarships, and testing.
o Ask for letters of recommendation.
o Give letter of recommendation forms to teachers or other adults you have chosen along
with stamped addressed envelopes so your teachers may send the letter directly.
Discuss your goals and ambitions with your teachers so they’ll be more prepared to
write about you.
o Meet with your GKHS Counselor.
o Your GKHS counselor will meet with you during the first month of school to make sure
you are on track to graduate and to help you with your post high school plans.
o Your counselor can help you stay on track with college admissions requirements
throughout the school year. Give your counselor any necessary forms much earlier
than the actual deadlines so they’ll have time to complete and send in the forms.
o Your counselor can help you complete job and apprenticeship forms.
o Complete applications
o Complete application forms for employment, apprenticeship, and colleges. Proofread
them and make a copy before you send them. Ask an English teacher to proofread
your application essays.
o Search for scholarships.
o Search for scholarships online (such as www.washboard.org or www.fastweb.com) and
through the GKHS Career Center. Ask colleges about their scholarships.
o Focus on scholarships and financial aid immediately after your college applications are
sent.
WINTER
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Follow up on your applications.
o Log on to the college websites to make sure that your application is complete. If not
complete, follow up with what still needs to be sent to the colleges.
Submit financial aid forms.
o Fill out the FAFSA. No matter what your family’s income level is, the FAFSA is your
main priority for financial aid purposes.
o The FAFSA may be completed beginning January 1.
Stay on track.
o Continue to work hard throughout your senior year. Colleges and employers like to see
that you kept your grades up all through high school.
Two-Year college applications.
o It you plan to attend a 2-year community or technical college, January is a good time to
complete the application form.
Military options.
o Keep in contact with your recruiter throughout the school year. If you haven’t taken the
ASVAB, arrange to take it soon.
SPRING
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Stay on track with your classes and grades.
o Meet with teachers for extra help to make sure you pass your classes. Meet with your
counselor to make sure you are meeting graduation requirements and college entrance
requirements.
Watch your mail for notification from colleges.
o You should receive an admissions decision from colleges by March or April.
Notifications of financial aid awards should arrive by the end of April.
Take the COMPASS/ASSET.
o If you plan to attend a 2-year community or technical college, spring is the time to take
the college placement test. Check with the college testing office for their testing hours.
Prepare for any last standardized tests.
o Finish your AP classes strong!
Make your final college decision
o Notify all schools of your intent by May 1. Make sure to send your deposit to your
chosen school by their deadline. Request that your final high school transcript be sent
to the college you have chosen.
Register for classes at 2-year community and technical colleges
o Spring is when you register for your fall classes at 2-year community and technical
colleges. If you wait until fall to register, you may not get into the classes you
want/need.
Follow-up on financial aid information.
o Make sure you have received a FAFSA acknowledgement. Complete any paperwork
needed by your college for your financial aid package.
Complete enrollment paperwork for the college you will attend.
o Once you accept an offer, you should receive information from the college about course
scheduling, orientation sessions, housing arrangements, and other necessary forms.
Make sure to complete all forms by the appropriate deadlines.
Attend the GKHS graduation ceremony!
o Congratulations, you have finished high school and are about to start an exciting new
phase of life!
*Adapted from www.petersons.com.