College Planning Year by Year

CEEB Code: 340009

College Admissions Playlist from Kahn Academy (a series of YouTube videos that will guide you through the college admissions process): Click here

Freshman Year

Make sure you know your school counselor.
Focus on your grades. Now is when your high school transcript begins. Make the most of each and every credit you are offered.
Start exploring your interests.
Improve your study habits. More challenging courses will require studying. This is also great preparation for college.
Get involved! Find an extracurricular activity that you are passionate about and stick with it. Colleges look for involvement and commitment. They go hand in hand.
Start a file to keep track of your extra-curricular involvement dates (offices held) as well as any awards or internships you may have. This will serve you well when you are filling out college and scholarship applications in just a few short years.
Start thinking about what types of colleges you may be interested in or that suit your potential career path. CFNC is a great website for career and interest inventories.
If you go on a summer vacation, make sure to visit a college or two in the area.
Start saving for college if you have not already started.

Sophomore Year

Junior Year

The college search begins! Make sure to keep up your grades and take challenging courses.
Continue with extra-curriculars.
Update or create your resume and continue filing away your important dates and awards.
If you haven't already, reigister to take the SAT and/or the ACT in the late winter/spring.
If you plan to play sports in college make sure to sign up for the NCAA website and submit any needed forms.
Meet with your counselor to make sure you are on track.
Consider an internship or job shadowing experience in a career field of interest.
Review colleges on the internet and schedule visits during spring break and summer. If you are not able to get to the campus, schedule a virtual visit.

Senior Year

Fall

If you want to improve your scores, sign up for the ACT and SAT again (fall semester).
Start your CommonApp account to apply to most 4-year colleges
.
Attend a college fair and meet with college admissions as they visit the high school.
Begin college essays.
Complete Residency Determination if you are planning to apply to a college in North Carolina.
Review your transcript to make sure you are on track for graduation and double check things.
Meet with your school counselor.
Keep working hard! You are in the home stretch, but second semester grades can affect many things (scholarships, etc).
Don't slack off in your course load. Colleges will be looking at your senior schedule.
Continue with extra-curriculars. Remember that it is important to choose something and stick with it.
Ask for Letters of Recommendations early in the year from teachers, school counselors and employers. Do not wait until a few weeks before your application deadline.
Apply for admission.
Both the student and parent(s) will need an FSA ID to complete the FAFSA. Apply for this and keep careful records of your backup codes and register for all methods of authentication to help you in case you get locked out.
To apply for financial aid, complete the FAFSA (financial aid application) and check colleges require the CSS Profile. You should complete and submit these as soon after the application opens as possible.
Check your colleges' websites to see what scholarships are offered through the college. Pay careful attention to deadlines.

January-May

Complete the FAFSA
Ask your counseling office in January to send first semester transcripts to schools where you applied. In May, they will need to send final transcripts to the college you will attend.
Decide which college to attend, and notify the school of your decision
After accepting admission to the college of your choice, keep track of and observe deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork
Notify schools you will not attend of your decision
Continue to look for scholarship opportunities
Keep track of important financial aid and scholarship deadlines
Compare financial aid packages from different schools
Notify your college about any outside scholarships you received

Helpful College Planning Links

College Foundation of NC: Helping you plan, apply and pay for college.
College Navigator: Find specific colleges that have the program or degree you have in mind.
Know How 2 Go: Learn the steps you need to get into college and learn to succeed while you are there.

Martin L. Nesbitt Discovery Academy

College/Transcripts

Letter of Recommendation Request

Transcript Request

College Day Request

Residency Determination

College Planning Year-by-Year

College Planning Links

Resume Writing Tips