Post Grad Timeline

Middle School

Understand importance of going to college/post-secondary
- 1.7 x salary of high school education salary
Importance of financial aid, and ways to pay for school
- Introduce middle schoolers to importance of post-secondary education, and all the scary terms
Explore interests & discuss them
- Career interest workshop
- Bring in professionals – career panel/information interviews
Explore schools – virtual exploration/going to local schools
Start study habits and encourage tutoring
- Emphasize importance of grades for getting accepted into school and getting better scholarships
(8^th grade) Explore class interests and map out high school path for classes
- Helps student pursue interests
Educate on Honor’s classes in HS – Good for application, can hurt GPA and Financial aid

Printable 8th Grade Checklist

9th Grade

Understand importance of going to college/post-secondary
- 1.7 x salary of high school education salary
Educate on AP and dual enrollment (often taken sophomore – senior year)
- Gain college credits during high school – may make college more affordable
Explore and join extracurricular activities of interest
- Good to explore self-interests. May help with finding financial aid, and gain competitive edge for some schools
Meet with a counselor or College Connect Advisor!
- Discuss plans for after schools. Discuss options: community college, university, trade school, etc
Reflect on study habits
- Better grades mean better chance of school acceptance and financial aid
Take career quiz/interest assessment/explore interests
- Always good to reflect on interests

10th Grade

Review classes being taken and classes needed for next two years to complete high school and enter college
- Good to ensure student is on path to graduations and lessens likelihood of being turned down by schools for missing credits
Continue extra curriculars/explore volunteering opportunities
Grades grades grades
- Review study habits, check out tutoring, review work load
PSAT
- High school may offer it for free, fee waivers offered for those who are eligible
Discuss financial aid with counselor/advisor – scholarship finders, ex: Raise.me & BigFuture
- Introduce FAFSA. The sooner the students understand it, the better
Review career interests
- Have they changed?
Plan if AP/dual enrollment/CTE/other is good fit for student for next two years
- Get ahead on associates/bachelor’s degree, make post-secondary ed more affordable

11th Grade

Find a job of interest/join/continue extracurricular activities
Begin college searching if not done yet
- Review what class credits are required, price, financial aid offered
Review if colleges require SAT and ACT
- If so, find out if high school offers test
  - Otherwise, register for SAT or ACT. Fee waivers offered for eligible students
- Take SAT/ACT if needed (Spring time)
Meet with counselor/College Connect advisor!
- Discuss goals
Grades grades grades
Explore schools virtually/in person
For summer - Look for potential internships/explore interests
- Stay active! Keep growing in your interests
Look into scholarships and financial aid
Able to start school applications that end of summer!

12th Grade

This is the BEST time to meet with a College Connect Advisor!

Grades grades grades
- Some institutions review grades up to Spring of grade 12
Review colleges applied to/make list of colleges to apply to
File FAFSA in October
- Sooner the better if you can file during the priority deadline
If needed, begin asking for letters of recommendation
If needed, begin writing personal statements/essays
Register final time for SAT or ACT if needed (Fall is best)
Understand loans and financial aid options
If considering a gap year, look at the pros and cons of gap year