Use the timeline below as your guide to preparing for college.

In 7th & 8th Grade:

• Begin thinking about the high school classes that will prepare you for college. Take the most difficult classes you can handle.
• Ask your parents or teachers to help you develop good study habits.
• Practice setting and reaching goals.
• Volunteer in your community.
• Take interest and skills assessments to help you think about possible career options.
• Talk with your school counselor and parents about careers that interest you.
• Create a tentative high school class plan.
• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

In 9th & 10th Grade:

• Take interest and skills assessments to help you explore careers options.
• Talk with your school counselor about career options and the education required for those careers.
• Talk with your parents about saving and paying for college.
• Talk with friends, teachers, counselors and your parents about college.
• Check if your school requires 10th graders to take the PLAN to prepare for the ACT.
• Participate in extracurricular activities.
• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.
• Explore internships and apprenticeships.
• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.

In 11th Grade:

• Attend college and financial aid events.
• Mentor others and have a mentor for yourself.
• Take the PSAT in the fall to prepare for the SAT, and to identify areas where you need improvement.
• Consider possible career options and investigate the type of education that is needed.
• Request materials from schools that interest you and visit their Web sites.
• Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you.
• Participate in extracurricular activities.
• Request admissions and financial aid forms.
• Consider earning college credit while in high school through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or College in the Schools.
• Register for and take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring.
• Review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork. Make sure you are meeting your high school graduation requirements.
• Enroll in a summer enrichment program.
• Get a job to earn and save money for college, or explore your skills through an internship or apprenticeship.
• Research private scholarship options.
• Get a summer job to earn money for college.

In 12th Grade:

• Meet with your school counselor to review your high school class plan. Take the most difficult classes you can handle. Stay focused on your schoolwork.
• Consider earning college credit while in high school through Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Postsecondary Enrollment Options or College in the Schools.
• Arrange campus visits to those schools that interest you (if you haven't already done so).
• Take or retake the ACT and/or SAT in the fall.
• Select the schools to which you will apply. Make a list of important admissions and financial aid deadlines for each school.
• Attend a financial aid event. Review a copy of Your Guide to Paying for College.
• Participate in extracurricular activities.
• Create a resume of your academic, athletic and work activities as well as other achievements. Prepare a portfolio if you're interested in the arts.
• Search and apply for private scholarships.
• Ask for recommendations (if required) from teachers, counselors and others who can comment on your abilities and talents.
• Apply to four to six colleges that interest you. Do not wait until just before the deadline.
• Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) as soon as possible after January 1. You and your parents must complete your taxes before submitting the FAFSA.
• Review you Student Aid Report (SAR) for accuracy. If you make corrections, return the form as quickly as possible.
• Have your high school transcript sent to those colleges to which you've applied.
• Choose a college and send in any required forms or deposits (housing, meal plan, etc.). Notify in writing those schools you don't plan to attend.
• Get a summer job to earn money for college.