8th Grade College Prep Plan
Grade
8th
When Activity
N/A
Grade
Take algebra I if available and also any other advanced classes that will help get you ready to take
"college prep" or advanced classes in high school. You should also try to find out what courses you
can take next year in high school to get ready for college.
Freshman College Prep Plan
Grade
When
Activity: Developing Your College Plan
Freshmen September
Find out who your guidance counselor is and schedule a meeting to plan out your
academic course work. You can build strong academic skills by taking challenging
courses and colleges will look for this. You should also plan on getting involved at
school. Participating in sports, drama, band, student government, clubs, or volunteer
work makes high school more fun and will help you develop leadership and
teamwork skills that college’s value.
Start talking to your parents about paying for college. Ask them how much they
think they can help you with paying for your future education. Start saving for
college, either on your own or by contributing to a savings plan that your parents
have established. Also make sure your parents are aware of
Post 911 GI Bill,
Financial Aid, and Sports College Scholarships.
Start and plan on maintaining a list of your activities, awards, community service,
and other unique educational experiences throughout high school. You would be
surprised at how hard it will be to remember when filling out your college
applications if you do not start now. This will serve as the beginning of a resume
that you can use when writing college and scholarship applications.
Freshmen Fall / Spring
Make a list of colleges you want to attend and go online and visit those college
campuses to get a feel for the different campus settings and life styles.
Ask your High/Select Sport Coach about getting into a college prep program that will
give you offseason recruiting advice for college scholarships.
Sophomore College Prep Plan
Grade
Sophomores
When
September
Activity: Update and Validate Your College Plan
(1). Inquire about taking the PLAN (practice test for the ACT) and the
PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test). These
tests are important practice tests which will prepare you for the ACT and SAT I
and II, respectively. Consult your school guidance counselor about which test you
should take. Be sure to find out the test date, time, and place. Both tests are
scheduled from October through December.
1
Sophomores October / November (2). Take the PSAT/NMSQT or PLAN on a test date offered at your high school.
(Note: Sophomore year PSAT/NMSQT scores do not count for the National Merit
Scholarship competition, but it is still a good idea to take the test to familiarize
yourself with it.) Begin to look at college catalogs and college search engines.
Sophomores
December
(3). You should update PLAN with your PSAT/NMSQT results. Read the materials
sent with your score report and consult your school guidance counselor to discuss
remaining courses that may be required or would be beneficial for college.
Sophomores
April
(4). Register for the June SAT II: Subject Tests. These are one-hour exams
testing you on academic subjects that you have already completed. Many colleges
require three SAT II: Subject Tests. Two of these should be in a math and writing
subject. It is a good idea to take these tests during your junior year, if you want
to take your third test in a subject you have studied this year (i.e. biology or
chemistry); you may want to complete that exam now while the subject is fresh
in your mind. You can take the math and writing subjects now as well if you want
to practice.
Sophomores
May
(5). Consider selecting 15 to 20 colleges and developing your college sports data
resume and putting together a sports showcase video to send out to college
coaches/recruiters. You should certainly have some fun but also be sure to make
wise use of your summer by doing official visits to your list of colleges. If you
work, be sure to save some of your earnings for your college applications fees.
Sophomores
June
(6). Take the SAT III: Subject Tests if appropriate. Your school guidance
counselor should be able to tell you this.
Junior College Prep Plan
Grade
Juniors
When
Activity: Finalizing Your College Plan
September (1). Meet with your school guidance counselor to review your classes and plan for your senior
year. Inquire about the PSAT/NMSQT test, date, time, and test location in October. You should
also read our Financial Aid 101 material and investigate private sources of financial aid. There
are several free online scholarship search services listed in our "paying for college" section.
Juniors
October
(2). Take the PSAT/NMSQT to prepare for the SAT I and II, and to be eligible for the National
Merit Scholarship competition (scores from your sophomore year will not count in the
competition).
Juniors
November
(3). Refer to our Financial Aid 101 material to start doing research on government, as well as
private, financial aid programs
Juniors
December
(4). Receive the results of the PSAT/NMSQT. Read your score report and consult your school
guidance counselor, teachers, café college to determine how you might improve. Sigh up for
the February ACT/SAT.
2
Juniors
January
(5). Begin to finalize your list of 15-20 colleges you would like to explore. Show the list to your
parents and discuss their ideas and preferences about the kind of college you should attend.
Apply for a social security number (if you do not already have one), it is required on many
college applications.
Juniors
February
(6). Meet with your school guidance counselor to begin preparing a list of colleges to explore.
Sign up for the March SAT I. Begin to prepare for the SAT II or ACT.
Juniors
March
(7). Send letters or e-mails to the colleges on your list requesting information, and evaluate
the materials they send you. Share the materials with your parents. Take the SAT I. Continue
your research on private scholarships by finding out what awards students in your school and
community are receiving.
Juniors
March
(8). Schedule to visit colleges during your spring break so you will be on campus when classes
are in session. Call the college's admissions office before you visit a campus. The admissions
staff will schedule you for a campus tour and arrange an interview, if necessary. If possible,
schedule an appointment with a financial aid counselor to learn more about the colleges
financial aid opportunities. Be sure to bring your parents, their opinion is important and they
can gain very valuable information by talking with a financial aid counselor.
Juniors
April
(9). Sign up for the May/June SAT I and or SAT II: Subject Tests. Take the ACT. Look into
summer jobs or internships. Continue to evaluate colleges and begin to eliminate some choices
from your list.
Juniors
May
(10). Attend college fairs/seminars and sessions with college consultants/representatives at
your school or in community to get more information. Be sure to ask questions about financial
aid, as well as the academic program, student life, etc. Take the SAT II: Subject Tests. Take
Advanced Placement exams, if appropriate.
Juniors
May
(11). Consider enrolling in an academic course at a local college, pursuing a summer school
program or working as a volunteer. Remember you'll want to be sure you've got some good
extracurricular experiences for your college applications. Make wise use of your summer. If
you work over the summer, put aside some of the money for college.
Juniors
June
(12). Take the ACT.
Juniors July / August (13). Write for private scholarship applications. Work on your high school to college resume
and, if the schools or scholarships you are interested in require them, begin to assemble
writing samples, portfolios, or audition tapes. Update your online college promotion package to
send out to college coaches and recruiters.
Juniors July / August (14). Summer is a perfect time to begin work on college application essays; you will be very
busy with coursework once school begins. If you are interested in an athletic scholarship,
contact the coaches at the colleges to which you plan to apply.
3
Senior College Prep Plan
Grade
When
Seniors
September
Activity: Final Steps Before College Bound
(1). Meet with your guidance counselor to review your college plans and evaluate them in
light of your test scores and junior year grades. It's a good idea to involve your parents in
this meeting and to discuss your prospects for financial aid at this time.
Seniors
September
(2). If you have not already taken the required tests, or you and your counselor feel that
you should take it again to try to improve your score, sign up for the October ACT or
October/November SAT I and/or SAT II: Subject Tests.
Seniors
September
(3). Write to the colleges on your list and request admission, financial aid, and, if
appropriate, housing applications. Keep a checklist with all the admissions and financial
aid deadlines for the colleges you are considering. Check with your school to make sure
your transcripts and other records are up to date and accurate. Ask teachers, employers,
or coaches to write you letters of recommendation. Give them any forms that colleges
require and follow up to make sure the letters are mailed on time.
Seniors
September
(4). Pick up a copy of the CSS Profile Registration Guide from your high school guidance
office to see if any of the colleges on your list require this financial aid application form. If
so, register for the profile service.
Seniors
October
(5). Attend a regional college fair to further investigate the college on your list. Make sure
that your transcript and test scores have been sent. Set aside plenty of time to draft, edit
and re-write application essays. Be sure to give your parents enough time to help you fill
out any college financial aid forms, such as the CSS Profile. If applying for 'early decision,'
send in your application now. Sign up for December/ January tests, if necessary. Begin to
send in applications; be sure to keep copies of everything you send, with the date on
which it was mailed.
Seniors
November
(6). Continue to file admission applications. You should also file the Free Application for
Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) online at http://www.fafsaonline.com/
Seniors
December
(7). File your last college applications. If you've applied for early decision, you should
have an answer by now.
Seniors
January
Request that your high school send the transcript of your first semester grades to the
colleges to which you've applied.
Seniors
January
(8). Work with your parents to complete the FAFSA on or as soon after January 1 as
possible. Send it in no later than February 1. If the financial aid processor requests
additional information in order to process your application, submit it promptly. Check with
your high school to find out if your state student aid program requires an additional
application.
4
Seniors February / March (9). Monitor your applications to make sure that all materials are sent and received on
time. Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy. If necessary, correct any
inaccurate items on the SAR and return it to the FAFSA processor (if you had a college
transmit your FAFSA data directly, you must notify the college of any changes or
corrections). If you have not received an SAR four weeks after you file your FAFSA, call 1800-4FED-AID to inquire about your application status.
Seniors February / March (10). When a corrected SAR is returned to you, review it one more time. Then, if it is
correct, keep a copy for your records. If a college requests your SAR, submit it promptly.
DO this even if the SAR says you are not eligible to receive a Federal Pell Grant, as the
college may be able to offer you other aid based on the information in that report.
Seniors February / March (11). If you haven't decided on a favorite campus, try to arrange a second visit. Talk to
students and sit in on some classes so you can make an informed decision.
Seniors
April
(12). Review your financial aid award letters with your parents; be sure that you
understand the terms and conditions that apply to each type of aid offered.
Seniors
April
(13). Decide on the one college that you will attend and send in your tuition deposit.
Notify in wiring the other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another
school. This is an important step. Other students will be hoping to receive your spot! Be
sure to respond by May 1.
Seniors
April
(14). If your first choice college places you on its waiting list, do not lose all hope. Some
students are admitted off the waiting list. Contact the college, let the admissions office
know you are still very interested, and keep the college updated on your activities.
Seniors
April
(15). Remind your parents to check their eligibility for the HOPE and Lifetime Learning tax
credits when they file their taxes. Next year, they may be able to reduce their taxes by up
to $1,500 by claiming one of these credits for college expenses.
Seniors
May
(16). Work with your parents to establish a budget for your books, supplies, and living
expenses. Determine how much of that budget grants and scholarships will cover, how
much your parents will contribute, and how much you will need to supply. Then
determine how much of your contribution will come from savings, from a student loan,
and from what you might earn at an academic year job. Then, if necessary, complete a
loan application form. Be sure you understand the terms of the loan before you and/or
your parents sign a promissory note.
Seniors
May
(17). If you want to live on campus, and have not already done so, complete a
housing/meal plan application.
Seniors
May
(18). Take Advanced Placement exams, if appropriate.
Seniors
June
(19). Request that your high school send a copy of your final transcript to the college you
will attend. Notify the college of any private grants of scholarships you will receive.
Seniors
June
(20). Find out when payment for tuition, room, board, et. Will be due and investigate
5
whether your college offers a tuition payment plan that lets you remit these charges in
installments. Be sure you understand how financial aid will be disbursed and whether you
can defer bill payment until the funds are available.
Seniors
June
(21). Apply for a summer job. Plan on saving a portion of your earnings for college.
Seniors
July
(22). Look for information from your new college about housing, orientation, course
selection, etc. If your financial aid package included a Federal Work-Study award, it may
be your responsibility to find an appropriate job. Plan to follow up with the financial aid
office as soon as you arrive on campus.
Seniors August / September Pack for college and look forward to a great experience.
Note: This calendar is adapted from the American Council on Education's College Admission and Financial Aid Calendar.
It's based upon on material from the National Association for College Admission Counseling and the National Association
of Student Financial Aid Administrators. The dates in this calendar are approximate. Be sure you know and adhere to all
college deadlines.
6
Why parents cannot objectively evaluate the athletic abilities of their children
and how that can factor into the recruiting process
Everyone reading this may think that they are a Division I player in their sport of choice but that is obviously not the
case. And because being realistic is such a vital part of the athletic recruiting process, in my opinion, getting a better
feel of what level you really can play at is important. I have mentioned how vital it is to get an evaluation that is not
bias because that should help you figure out where you really are.
The problem with this is that parents think that they can give the evaluation. They can take the 15-18 years of
parenting out of the equation and the hard work that their child has put in yet still give an honest evaluation about
what level an athlete can play at. Even if they could find a way to take out the baggage included in the equation,
parents and even more high school coaches have no clue what it takes to play at certain levels athletically. I have
been doing this for over a decade now and I still don’t think that I know everything about the recruiting process and
what makes an athlete Division I vs. Division II.
The reason why that an evaluation from parents can be so tough is because it throws out of whack where an athlete
should be looking to continue their career at collegiately. For example, you have a crazy dad who thinks that you can
play Division I football (even as a 5-foot-8, 170 pound linebacker) because he is a college football expert and
watches games every Saturday.
Even if you played varsity as a freshman, that size will come back and haunt you every year that you try to get
recruited. You follow the advice of this site and market yourself only to Division I-A (BCS) college football
programs. They show some interest because you do have a solid recruiting highlight video. He takes that as they
really want you and they are probably going to offer you a full ride. Obviously in this scenario, the dad is living his
life through you so get used to it.
Because of his high feelings about your abilities, he doesn’t want to stoop to the level of Division I-AA (FCS) and
Division II programs. He tells you not to return phone calls from them or fill out questionnaires because you are a
sure fire Division I-A player (still not realizing the whole 5-foot-8 thing). This type of effort will sabotage the entire
recruiting process for you. Not only will it shut door, it will piss off college coaches who your dad is making it seem
that you are better than. When it is too late, they will have already moved on in the process.
Five Keys to a Basketball Recruiting Scholarship Offer
Last week we put together a list of five keys that will help you to a
football/basketball scholarship offer. But since I know football is not the only
sport that athletes out there play, I thought I would do something for basketball
as well.
7
While the sports are similar in the chase for a scholarship, the one major difference is AAU. Football
camps cannot compare to the fact that top basketball players spend a good portion of July on the road
playing in tournaments. And in order to get a major Division I scholarship, I feel that they basically have
to do this. Find out what is included in the top five now.
1.) Playing for an AAU team that travels nationally
Here is what Tennessee head basketball coach Bruce Pearl said recently about the basketball
recruiting process: “If you’re in the AAU program and you’ve got a decent team, then the summertime is
when you’ve got a chance to make a name for yourself. You can’t hunt bear in the lodge, so kids have
got to go out there at these tournaments and give us a chance to evaluate them.” Playing on an AAU
team that travels the country in tournaments is the #1 factor in getting a Division I basketball offer. I
have seen numerous kids get scholarships simply because they played on a good AAU team. They had
to play well at the right times but this certainly beats sitting at home working out with your teammates.
With basketball, I cannot stress the importance of getting on the AAU circuit.
2.) Skill/Abilities
Unlike football, skills and abilities do trump size for college basketball. That is the reason why you will
occasionally see a 5-foot-6 point guard or a 6-foot-6 center at the Division I level. They just have more
abilities as well as a knack for playing beyond their size. The skill level of basketball players needs to
be high and that is why there will be some smaller players on the court. It is because they have some
abilities and know how to play the game.
3.) Size/Athleticism
College coaches will take chances with projects but they want players who can contribute early and
often. Most of these coaches know that if they recruit the wrong players, it will likely cost them their job.
That is why a project is much harder for a basketball coach to take versus a football coach. These
basketball coaches are limited in the amount of scholarships that they have every year so they have to
be careful. Taking too many projects that don’t pan out could easily get you fired.
4.) Work Ethic
There is no doubt that being a gym rat definitely can help you in the chase for a scholarship. But if you
are not big enough, don’t play for a good AAU team, and lack the ability, it doesn’t matter if you workout
twelve hours a day. God-given talent will trump work ethic at times in the chase for a scholarship. It
sucks but it is true.
5.) Grades/Character
I hate to say that this is last on the list but it seems academics and character are even less important at
the Division I level in hoops. Obviously you want the #1 player in the country to have fantastic grades
and strong character (see Harrison Barnes) but it doesn’t always happen that way. The other areas are
more important. However, having good grades and strong character can open the door for more
opportunities if you find the right situation.
8