Planning Calendar
Your College Planning Calendar for Each Grade Level
Planning is a key factor to success after high school. Whether you’re a freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior—use this calendar as a month-by-month guide toward your path to success.
- Grades 9–11: Apply for PSAT (especially if enrolled in Geometry or higher and honors level courses.) This is good practice for the SAT. The cost is approx. $10.00.
- Grades 9–12: Become involved in your community. Don't wait until the last minute to accrue volunteer hours. Turn in your volunteer hours to your counselor at your school of record.
- Grades 9–12: Meet with your counselor to determine if you are on the right track for graduation.
- Grades 9–11: Take the PSAT (must take during junior year to qualify for National Merit Scholarship).
- Grades 9–12: Attend college fairs in your area. College, Vo-tech and Military reps will be there!
- Grades 9–12: Review your report cards. Make adjustments in study habits. Reward yourself for good grades.
- Grades 9–12: Become involved in extracurricular activities (clubs/sports/community service).
- Grades 11–12: Florida students: RE-take the FSA/EOC as needed for public school graduation if you failed the test during 10th grade.
- 12th Grade: Check "early-decision" application deadlines! Universities set these dates. Check with your counselor to see if you should apply early.
- 12th Grade: Register with NCAA if you are planning on playing sports in college.
- 12th Grade: Florida Seniors will apply for Florida Student Financial Aid online. This is the application for Bright Futures Scholarship as well.
- 12th Grade: Gather information on scholarships, loans, grants, application deadlines, and tax laws. FAFSA applications are available October 1st. Send your application in ASAP. Money is first come/first serve.
- Grades 9–11: Continue your search for colleges. Use the web/interest inventories to find schools that meet your needs and criteria.
- Grades 9–12: Concentrate on grades. You still have time to pull your grades up for the semester! Consult with your teacher on options to improve your grade point average.
- Grades 9–12: Attendance is important!
- Grades 10–12: Talk with military recruiters.
- Grades 10–12: Take the SAT/ACT this month. Make sure you put your school's CEEB code on the registration form.
- 12th Grade: Fill out college applications. Gather letters of recommendation, check your essays for grammar, interest, and neatness and request transcripts from the Registrar.
- Grades 9–11: PSAT results are returned this month. Use your scores to help prepare you for the SAT/ACT.
- Grades 9–12: Assess 1st semester grades. Sign up for night school/adult ed, if necessary.
- Grades 9–12: Create a file to help manage your college searches, testing, application and scholarship information. Begin compiling tax information for Financial Aid Applications.
- 12th Grade: Colleges notify early decision students of acceptance.
Grades 10–12: Start preparing for the spring SAT/ACT. Free study guides are available online, at the library, and from your counselor.
- 11th Grade: Plan to take the ASVAB if you are going into the military after high school.
- Grades 11–12: Be aware of scholarship requirements. Don't let deadlines sneak up on you.
- Grades 11–12: Do a financial aid calculator online to determine your Expected Family Contribution (EFC) for college tuition. http://www.finaid.org
- 10th Grade & Grades 11–12 (retakes): Florida students take FSA/EOC as needed for public school graduation
- Grades 10–12: Registration deadlines for May SAT/ACT.
- 11th Grade: Update top college choices and search for majors/programs using various websites.
- Grades 9–12: Notification of possible failures. Sign up for adult ed/night school if necessary.
- Grades 10–12: End the year on a good note. Think about summer employment, community service, and visiting post-secondary institutions.
- Grades 9–12: Stay involved. Attend a summer program, visit colleges, get a job to help pay for post-secondary education, volunteer, or do an internship.
- Grades 9–12: Create a resume for summer employment.
- Grades 10–12: AP examinations.
- 12th Grade: Request final transcripts.
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