Use this checklist to help you prepare for college.
9 th and 10 th grade
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Do your best academically. The grades you earn in 9 th and 10 th grade count towards your final GPA, class rank, and scholarships.
Chart out what classes you plan to take during your high school career.
Research college entrance requirements and make sure that you take the appropriate courses to meet the entrance requirements of the type of college you plan to attend and /or to keep your options open.
Colleges recommend challenging courses.
Develop good study habits.
Work on your writing skills. Writing skills are important in every field.
Read and stay informed of national and world affairs.
Join clubs and activities in various areas of interest. Seek out leadership roles.
Begin building relationships with teachers, counselors, coaches, and employers.
Explore career options with your parents, guidance counselor, teachers, etc.
Tour a nearby college, if possible. Visit family or friends who live on campus. Become familiar with college finances with your family.
Sign up for the PLAN test in the fall of 10 th grade year (optional). Test administered at Spencerville High School.
Prepare for and take the Ohio Graduation Test – successful completion necessary for graduation
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11 th Grade
Continue to develop and improve your reading, writing, and study skills and to keep your grades at a high level.
Research college entrance requirements and make sure you take the appropriate courses to meet the entrance requirements of the type of
college you plan to attend and/or to keep your options open. Take the
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 most challenging programs/classes that you can successfully complete.
Discuss post high school plans with your counselor.
Make a list of colleges of interest and request information from those institutions.
Develop a filing system with individual folders for each college’s correspondence. It is not necessary to keep a copy of every brochure you receive, but file information from colleges you are sincerely interested in. Keep copies of everything you send to a college.
Begin research on scholarships – The library, the Internet, OCIS, the high school guidance calendar, etc.
Gather career information. Schedule a meaningful job shadow
experience for your senior project.
Sign up for the PSAT in the early fall (optional). Test administered at
Spencerville High School. You need to take the PSAT to be eligible for the National Merit Scholarship.
Take the spring ACT test (Mandatory for students planning to attend a four year college/university). Tests are administered at testing sites throughout the state in February, April, and June. Remember to
complete your registration on time. Typically, form and fees must be
submitted at least five weeks prior to the test date.
Check if your college requires you to take the SAT. Many schools will accept either the ACT or the SAT, but some schools prefer one over the other.
Stay involved with and find your passion through diverse extracurricular activities. Consistency and depth look good to colleges.
Request applications from schools you are interested in or check out the school website on-line. Currently, many colleges prefer students to apply on-line verses submitting a paper application.
Visit campuses of your top choices during the summer or early fall.
12 th Grade
Double check graduation requirements and continue to pursue a
strong academic curriculum. Make any class changes as needed.
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Talk to counselors, teachers, and family members about your final college choices.
Take the ACT in October if necessary.
Ask teachers, coaches, employers, etc. to write letters of recommendation a minimum of two weeks before you need them.
Make a calendar showing application deadlines for admission, financial aid, and scholarships.
Check publications, the Internet, the guidance office, and your selected college resource center for information on scholarships and grants. Make copies of everything you send out for your own records.
Check the websites of the colleges/universities to which you are applying for scholarship opportunities.
Set up an account on Fast Web and/or other scholarship search engines for additional scholarship opportunities.
Submit applications to colleges by December. To keep the process affordable, narrow your choices to a reasonable number (3?).
Check the admission requirements/process at each school to which you are applying to make sure you have correctly and completely completed the process.
Have your ACT or SAT test scores sent directly from the testing agency.
Many institutions do not accept scores sent from the high school.
Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in January
or February. Forms can be obtained from http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Be sure you receive FAFSA acknowledgement by spring. Obtain a Personal
Identification Number (PIN) at www.pin.ed.gov
to help with filling out the FAFSA.
Make your final choice and notify all schools (with which you have been in contact) of your selection by early spring. Complete follow-up paperwork and activities such as housing forms, scheduling, orientation sessions, etc. Plan to live on campus your freshman year? Complete your housing application as soon as possible after making your
decision.
Inform the guidance office of your final choice so a final, official transcript can be sent to your college.
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