College Preparation Checklists
Juniors: Preparing for College Checklist
Senior: Preparing for College Checklist

University Admissions Tour Virtual: Click Here

Resume Template- Resume Template

Recommendation Letters:
Do you need a letter from your School Counselor or a Teacher? Request them early because it does take time for a teacher and counselor to write your letter (please allow a two week window).

Things to think about before asking a recommender:
Can they tell the reader what kind of student you are?
Have you struggled in class yet managed to persevere?

Colleges and Universities want to know if you have the characteristics such as grit, determination, and the type of work ethic you have shown while in high school.  
  
Fill out the questionnaire below and send an email with your request.
School Counselor Recommendation Questionnaire
Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire

Frequently Asked Questions:
Should I take Advanced Placement (AP) or Dual Enrollment (DE) courses?
There is no right or wrong, better or worse choice. Colleges are looking for well-rounded students that challenge themselves in their coursework - this includes AP and DE courses. Much consideration should be given to where you want to end up; out-of-state vs. in-state. It is best to contact the college you are applying to and ask their admissions office what they prefer. Please keep in mind, preferences may vary year to year.

When should I start taking the SAT/ACT?
Students should typically begin taking the SAT/ACT the Winter / early Spring of their Junior year.

When should I start looking for colleges and visiting them?
Students should start narrowing down their college choice the beginning of their Junior year and visiting them the following Spring. We suggest visiting the school while it is in session meeting with an admissions counselor. 

When should I start applying to college?
Start preparing your applications in the Summer before Senior year. Colleges say the sooner you apply the better chance you have at being admitted. Please keep in mind when applications open and their deadlines. Many schools accept early admissions applications beginning August 1st of your Senior year. 

How do I get a recommendation from a teacher or counselor?
Recommendation letters should be requested from teachers and counselors two weeks prior to an application deadline. To assist the teacher(s) and counselor in writing the best possible recommendation, Counselor and Teacher Profiles are available in Student Services. As soon as the School Counselor and/or Teacher Profile is completed, be sure to make copies for every recommender as well as for your records and deliver it to each recommender.

How do I get my SAT/ACT scores to the college/university I am applying to?
Colleges require official scores be sent directly from CollegeBoard or ACT. This can be done by logging into your CollegeBoard/ACT account and requesting your scores to be sent to the colleges/universities of your choice.

What is FAFSA?
The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) is a form that can be prepared annually by current and prospective college students in the United States to determine their eligibility for financial aid. Although you may feel that you do not qualify for financial aid, many grants, scholarships, and schools require the FAFSA to be completed. FAFSA information and application

How do I get help deciding on what career I want to go into?
There are many resources to help you decide what you want to do after high school and what to do to achieve your goals. Some resources we recommend are:

- Scoir (pronounced 'score') is designed to break down the college admissions process into manageable steps that help students evaluate all the important questions one step, one day at a time. Students are able to search for colleges based on personal and academic interests, build their college list, and explore campus communities to understand what type of environment will fit them best. Utilizing the resources in Scoir can help students better understand their unique talents, see how they translate to majors, and begin career exploration. Log into your Launchpad student account, click on the Scoir icon. 

- CollegeBoard's MyCollegeQuickStart
- My College Options
- Learn How to Become
- myFUTURE
- U.S. Department of Labor

- ASVAB (Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery) - an optional test measuring mechanical, clerical, verbal and mathematical skills with a variety of short, timed multiple answer tests. It is administered to sophomores, juniors, and seniors in the fall of the year. The test can identify occupations and skills for which students are best suited. Taking the test does not require a commitment to military service - Official ASVAB Site ASVAB Practice Test