College Prep review material for coaches! Review this article to understand your role, learn how to help 9th, 10th, and 11th grade students prepare for college. You’ll also learn how to help 12th grade students prepare (and apply) for college.
➡ Share the information below with students!
9th & 10th Grade
Academics: Choose rigorous and college-prep courses
Make sure you know which high school courses are required by colleges and that you’re taking those classes
Career: Explore potential careers and majors through extracurricular activities and elective courses
College Research: Attend free college fairs, watch videos online or look at college websites
Extracurricular: Choose 2-5 extracurricular activities to be involved in and stick with them! Maybe even take on a leadership role
School Staff: Meet with your school counselor at least twice (they’ll come in handy later on)
Summer: Explore summer opportunities, especially free local (city or college) programs
11th Grade
Academics: Continue to choose rigorous and college-prep courses (most important step)
Career: Take career interest quizzes
College Research: Use https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/college-search to narrow down your list. Do college representatives come to your school? Be sure to sign up for these visits if they do. Visit at least one college campus (virtual counts too)
Testing: Take the PSAT to qualify for National Merit Scholarship (only counts in 11th grade, given in October) Determine if you need to take the SAT or ACT for scholarships or college and take one in March or April.
Extracurricular: Take on a leadership role in 1 or 2 of your extracurricular activities
School Staff: Meet with your school counselor again and be nice to your teachers-especially English and Math because you’ll probably need a recommendation letter from them!
Financial: Have a conversation with your family about what you can afford to pay for college, but keep in mind that scholarships and financial aid are available! Apply for raise.me and the Collegeboard Opportunity Scholarship
Summer: Explore summer opportunities, especially free local (city or college) programs and apply for college visit (all expenses paid) programs called “fly ins”
Aug-Oct | 1. Building a College List | Decide on 8-10 colleges; include likelies, targets and reaches and at least 2 in state public school |
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Sign up for college campus visits |
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Register to join college mailing lists through admissions websites |
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Use the Net Price Calculator to compare college cost |
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Find deadlines and create your application timeline |
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Aug-Nov | 2. Take Standardized Tests | Register for SAT and ACT |
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Check out SAT/ACT prep books and online resources (UPchieve 1:1 SAT tutoring) |
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Review scores and retake if necessary |
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July-Sept of senior year | 4. Personal Statement & Essays | Use brainstorming resources to outline your personal statement |
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Brainstorm and outline Common App prompts |
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Complete supplemental Common App questions/essays |
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Varies | 5. Scholarships | Apply for state scholarships |
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Search for local scholarships |
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Search for National scholarships (Questbridge, Posse, Horatio Alger, etc) |
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Aug-Jan | 6. Applications | Contact schools and your counselor about application fee waivers |
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Ask teachers + counselors for letter of recommendations if needed |
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Complete applications |
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October | 7. Financial Aid | Complete FAFSA |
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Complete CSS Profile if required |
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Send tax forms to financial aid offices of colleges who request them |
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Jan-May | 8. Comparing offers and making decisions | Review and compare financial aid awards, accept an offer of admissions by May 1! |
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