High School Checklist

9th Grade (Freshmen)

1. Attend ninth grade orientation-pick up class schedule and review your campus planner. Develop an understanding of: a) graduation requirements, b) athletic eligibility requirements, c) college/career program requirements, d) testing, e) additional options.
2. Learn study/time management skills
3. Become involved with extracurricular interests (i.e., clubs, athletics, student government).
4. Be serious about your grades and courses; some count for college entrance.
5. Attend the Career/College Exploration night at CSULB.
6. Take Golden State or AP exams, if appropriate.
7. Re-think, re-check your four-year high school plan with parent/guardian. Take college-prep classes. Take courses that will enable you to meet prerequisites for additional courses.
8. Talk with your counselor, as needed.
9. Check into the Military Academy/ROTC, if interested.
10. Attend summer school if you need to raise a grade. Get a head start--earn degree credits at the community college.

10th Grade (Sophomores)

1. Review your campus planner.
2. Join the California Scholarship Federation (CSF), if you are eligible.
3. Participate in extracurricular activities and/or get involved in community activities to provide background experience for college acceptance. (Join boy/girl scout clubs; volunteer in politics or hospital, etc.)
4. Think about career area(s); investigate colleges.
5. Be serious about your grades and courses. They count for GPA, college entrance, class ranking and many scholarships.
6. Attend the Career/College Exploration Night at CSULB.
7. Re-think, re-check your four-year high school plan with parent/guardian. Take college-prep classes. Take courses that will enable you to meet prerequisites for additional courses.
8. Talk with your counselor, as needed.
9. Check into the Military Academy/ROTC, if interested.
10. Attend summer school if you need to raise a grade. Get a head start--earn degree credits at the community college.

11th Grade (Juniors)

1. Review your campus planner.
2. Join the CSF, if you are eligible.
3. Take the PSAT in October.
4. Plan to participate in leadership and extracurricular activities.
5. Attend the Career/College Exploration Night at CSULB.
6. Take Golden State or AP exams, if appropriate.
7. Re-think, re-check you four-year high school plan with parent/guardian and counselor.
8. Take the SAT I, SAT II and/or ACT (college admissions tests) in the spring. Take preparation class, if needed.
9. Read college catalogues; write to colleges for information. Attend scheduled college admissions conferences or college fairs. Visit college campuses, while in session.
10. Be practical! Look at your top five college choices and ask: Do I qualify? Can I afford the school? Do I need to schedule an interview? Have I talked with students who now attend the college? Does the school offer my major? Does the school's housing meet my needs? Does the social life fit my style? Have I seen the campus? What are the summer opportunities regarding honors programs, work, study, etc.?
11. begin reviewing scholarships.
12. Attend summer school if you need to raise a grade. Get a head start--earn degree credits at the community college.

12th Grade (Seniors)

1. Take college required courses, preferably two AP/honors classes.
2. Confer with your counselor.
3. Take or retake the SAT I and/or ACT.
4. Attend Career/College Exploration Night at CSULB; attend college information night and college financial planning workshop.
5. Narrow down your college choices.
6. Send in college application(s); write out autobiographical sketch.
7. Obtain teacher/counselor references in advance.
8. Take achievement tests, if considering a UC college or any other college that requires them.
9. Check monthly scholarship lists. Apply.
10. Check transcript with your counselor. Request counselor to send transcript to your college/university.
11. Take English and math tests for college placement, if needed.