Page 9 - Course Catalog 20-21

www.lodiusd.net COURSE CATALOG & COLLEGE/CAREER PLANNING GUIDE 8

PREPARING FOR COLLEGE

Freshman  Meet with your counselor to discuss your college plans.
 Make sure you are enrolled in College Prep and/or Pre-AP courses.
A STEP BY STEP GUIDE: PREPARING FOR COLLEGE
 Sign up to take the PSAT in October (optional) and AP exams in November
 Start a college search to find out required courses and tests of colleges you
might want to attend. Attend college fairs when possible.
 Start a calendar with important dates and deadlines.
 Get involved in extracurricular activities.
 Learn about college costs and how financial aid works.
 Create a personal resume file to save: report cards, certificates, a list of honors
and awards, a list of school and community activities, a list of offices you hold,
and a list of both paid and volunteer jobs.
 Research College and/or Career options in school Career Center or on Navi-
ance

Sophomore  Review your schedule and college plans with your counselor.
 Enroll in elective courses that align with your career goals.
 Sign up to take the PSAT in October and AP exams in November.
 Continue your college search and visit local schools.
 Stay involved in extracurricular and enrichment activities.
 Update your resume file in Naviance Family Connection.
 Consider enrolling in Career Technical Education courses that earn college
credit and align with your desired career path (see page 20).

Junior  Discuss college plans with your counselor.
 Take PSAT for National Merit Qualification; sign up for AP exams; consider tak-
ing ASVAB.
 Plan to take the SAT and ACT in the Spring.
 Visit as many colleges as you can.
 Explore career options in your school’s College and Career Center.
 Update your resume file in Naviance.
 Plan your senior year class schedule with your counselor.
Senior  Narrow your list of colleges; get applications & financial aid information for
each.
 Enroll in elective or Career Technical Education courses that align with your
career goals.
 Keep a calendar with test dates, application deadlines, and other important

info.
 Register for, and take, the SAT/ACT by December.
 Ask for letters of recommendation well in advance.

 Write application essays; have teachers and friends edit.
 November 1: File your UC and CSU applications.
 November is a critical time for private college early-consideration applications
and merit scholarships.
 Search for scholarships and ask your college/career counselor for scholarship

info.
 November 1—February 15: Send in your college applications and have your
high school send transcripts.
 January: Complete and submit your FAFSA/Dream Act applications.
 May 1: You must choose your college by this date and inform colleges of your
acceptance or rejection of offers of admission or financial aid.