Class Information & Student Checklists

Freshmen

Meet with your school counselor to learn which courses meet college entrance requirements and plan your enrollment in these courses
Create a four-year class schedule that meets both high school graduation and college entrance requirements
Take the most challenging and realistic course load, if possible
Create a floridashines.org account and complete the assessments to begin thinking about colleges and explore careers that may fit your interest

Talk with your parents about your academic strengths and weaknesses and explore tutoring resources for improvement
Enroll in honors courses in the subjects you excel at
Create a folder for college-related materials

Get involved with clubs, activities, and community involvement - all of these things look great on a college application
Record and track all of your credentials - awards, volunteer hours, etc.
Look early for summer jobs and internships - preferably those that will help you expand your academic and leadership skills
Find information in the School Counseling office, library, or online to start learning about college
Plan a challenging course load for your sophomore year

Continue to build your credentials over the summer
Along with completing all summer reading assignments, create a list of other books to read as well
Continue talking to your parents or any adults in your life about colleges and courses to take in high school
Build your community service hours needed for graduation and the Bright Futures Scholarship

Set-up a free account with collegeboard.org - you can research colleges and prepare for the PSAT/SAT
Prepare yourself to take the PSAT - link your College Board account to Khan Academy
Start preparing for the ACT by taking practice tests and studying
Participate in a college fair/attend a college financial aid workshop
Get involved with extracurricular and volunteer activities - be a leader inside and outside of school
Review your PSAT score report and discuss areas that may challenge you, to be prepared for the SAT the following year
Your GPA counts - stay on track with your courses, and if you are struggling, speak to your teachers or school counselor to explore possible solutions
With a parent, research and discuss colleges and their costs and take a tour of a local college or university

Begin your search for summer jobs, academic enrichment, and volunteer opportunities early
Meet with your counselor to discuss summer Dual Enrollment opportunities, Junior year courses and your current GPA
Plan a challenging course load for your Junior year (AP, AICE, and Honors) and discuss Dual Enrollment opportunities with your counselor

Along with completing all summer reading assignments create a list of other books to read as well
Find a summer job that offers valuable work experience and will help you along your path to college and a successful future
Build your community service hours needed for graduation and the Bright Futures Scholarship

Sign up for the PSAT during lunches at SRHS at the end of September
Continue to stay on track in all of your classes to build up your GPA
Use your test scores and current GPA to evaluate your college options – make a list and include campus size, location, cost, etc.
Find out more about college visits around your area and on campus
Begin researching scholarships https://www.raise.me/ https://www.fastweb.com/
Look for your PSAT scores in December https://www.collegeboard.org/
Practice the SAT based on weaknesses with www.khanacademy.com

Take at least one practice exam before taking the School-Day SAT in March
Take the ACT - sign up on www.act.org and practice on https://academy.act.org
Know the dates and locations of all SAT and ACT tests - deadlines pass quickly
Decide which test is better for you and focus on it - ACT versus SAT
Make a list of at least three colleges to apply for (dream, reach, and safe school)
Contact those who may be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you
Search for scholarships and plan summer college visits
Apply on time for any summer jobs or internships you might be interested in
Plan a challenging course load for your senior year - discuss dual enrollment opportunities with your counselor

Participate in meaningful and valuable educational opportunities, preferably related to your desired major in college
Keep practicing for the SAT and/or ACT
Along with completing summer reading assignments, create a list of other books to read as well
Build your community service hours needed for graduation and the Bright Futures Scholarship
Start college application essays - finalize resume and essays

Finalize your college essays
Ask references for letter of recommendation so that they can be submitted
Keep taking the SAT or ACT if needed
Take the ASVAB test in October to determine your career aptitudes
Attend the SRCHS College Night in October
Attend the PBCSD College Fair in October (a lot of out-of-state schools attend)
Make sure your transcript and records are all up to date
Familiarize yourself with deadlines for colleges of your choice - November 1st is the early priority deadline for most colleges
Check www.floridashines.org for Bright Futures eligibility
Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) - opens October 1st of senior year https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
Complete the Bright Futures Scholarship Application and other state scholarships - opens October 1st of senior year https://www.floridastudentfinancialaidsg.org
Apply for scholarships and keep track of the deadlines https://smrh.palmbeachschools.org/scholarshipsandspecialprograms
Make sure all community services hours are completed and on your transcript
Goal - complete all college applications/come up with your after-graduation plan

Maintain second semester grades and be aware of senioritis- if your grades plummet drastically or you make changes to your schedule, colleges can rescind their acceptances
Watch for admission letter in the mail or email notifications
Compare financial aid packages
Make a final choice on which college you will attend and attend orientation
Look for any summer jobs early
GRADUATE HIGH SCHOOL!

Confirm final transcripts have been sent to the colleges you will attend in the fall
Confirm AP and AICE test scores have been sent to the college you will attend
Make preparations for the following school year
Make sure that everything needed for financial aid is ready to go - check with your college’s financial aid office