Checklists for Grades 5-12

It’s never too early to start thinking about colleges and careers. Here are steps you can take now to get ready for college.

Students in classroom.
Recommended Timeline Action Steps

Grades 5-6

Things to do:

  • Explore career options during field trips and other school activities.
  • Join clubs, sports, or similar after-school activities to learn more about your interests.

Things to know:

  • There are many different career options for you!
  • Most careers require additional training or education beyond high school.
  • Your career choice can change over time as you develop new interests.

Grades 7-8

Things to do:

  • Meet with a school counselor to develop a college/career plan and discuss the costs associated with college.
  • Attend an information session and/or shadow a student at your local high school to get a feel for what’s next.
  • Take a career exploration course (online if not offered in school).
  • Participate in college and career experiences like visiting a college campus or job shadowing.
  • Participate in school and student organizations (like clubs, sports, school newspaper, theater, and more).
  • Participate in summer activities related to your interests or talents.

Things to know:

  • Different careers require different levels of college or training.
  • High school will be different from middle school. There will be more of a focus on choosing your college/career path.
  • It is important to continue to explore and broaden my academic, career, and personal interests.

Grade 9

Things to do:

  • Begin taking courses based on your personal interests and career plan.
  • Have a conversation with your parents/guardians about the costs of college and how you will plan for those costs.
  • Experiment with different organizational and study methods to see what works best for you.
  • Try something new to expand personal skills or interests (like a new sport, club, or course).
  • Schedule a meeting with your school counselor to update your college and career plans.
  • Talk to teachers, family members, and other adult mentors to work through your college and career interests.
  • Become involved with school student organizations, clubs, or teams.
  • Learn about eligibility criteria for honor societies, special diplomas, certifications, or other merit awards.
  • Start a resume to document extra-curricular activities, accomplishments, work experience, and skills.
  • Participate in college and career exploration experiences (like campus visits, hands-on events, college and career fairs, industry-specific events).
  • Volunteer in your community and/or in a professional field related to your academic, personal, or career interests.

Things to know:

  • Your GPA, along with your ACT or SAT, has a high impact on college opportunities, including admission, scholarships, financial aid, etc.
  • Learn how to backward plan from your career goals to what you should be focusing on in high school.
  • It is important to save money for college expenses (including direct costs like tuition and indirect costs like transportation, supplies, and fees).
  • It’s important to take challenging coursework to prepare for college.

Grade 10

Things to do:

  • Participate in a meaningful summer experience such as a job, internship, or early college preparation (like a pre-college summer camp, computer coding camp, apprenticeship related to CTE concentration).
  • Continue participating in school and student organizations.
  • Volunteer in your community or school.
  • Update your resume to include your work, volunteer experiences, honors, or skills that you’ve acquired since last school year.
  • Do a practice job interview with a school counselor or other adult mentor.
  • Update your college and career plan with your school counselor and have a conversation about your potential eligibility/competitiveness for admission.
  • Have conversations with a teacher, family member, or other adult mentor to talk about your college and career interests.
  • Have a conversation with a counselor and family members about tuition, fees, and other costs of college, as well as your potential eligibility for need- and merit-based aid.
  • Research course offerings for your junior year, including early college opportunities like AP, dual enrollment, and dual credit, or work-based learning.

Things to know:

  • Know the structure and content of ACT or SAT college readiness exams.
  • Understand the different postsecondary options available to you and the admissions requirements.
  • Challenging coursework and your course performance will impact future course opportunities, especially opportunities to earn early college credit and to qualify for merit-based scholarships.
  • Revisit your college and career plan regularly and discuss your plans with a counselor, teacher, advisor, or family member who can help.

Grade 11

Things to do:

  • Continue to visit college and career-related campuses or events.
  • Volunteer in your community or school regularly.
  • Attend a college planning information event at your school.
  • Prepare for and take the ACT or SAT.
  • Continue to participate in school and student organizations and take on leadership roles and increased responsibility.
  • Update your resume to include your work, volunteer experiences, honors, or skills that you’ve acquired since last school year.
  • Schedule a meeting with your school counselor to discuss details of the college application process, how to choose a program of study, and how to identify colleges that are a good “fit” for you.
  • Complete and pass early postsecondary opportunities (Dual Credit, Dual Enrollment, AP, IB, Cambridge).
  • Research and apply for college scholarship opportunities – it’s never too early!
  • Write a draft of a college essay, personal statement, or cover letter, and get feedback from a teacher, counselor, or college access professional.
  • Identify two or three teachers who you think would write you a letter of recommendation for postsecondary and talk to them before the end of the school year.

Things to know:

  • Understand the major components of the college application process including admission, financial aid, and choosing a major, concentration, or certification.
  • There is a difference between scholarships, loans, and grant aid. Now is the time to learn about these opportunities.
  • Challenging coursework will prepare you for success in college.
  • Your school counselor is a great resource to learn more about scholarship opportunities.
  • Learn how to request a transcript for a summer program, job, internship, or scholarship applications.

Grade 12

Things to do:

  • Continue to research and apply for scholarship opportunities.
  • Finalize your college application list and which schools you will be applying to.
  • Participate in the ACT senior retake if you would like to improve your score.
  • Take rigorous academic coursework that aligns with your college and career plan.
  • Ask a trusted counselor, teacher, or college access professional to provide feedback on your application documents before submitting.
  • Complete Promise Scholarship and other state financial aid program applications.
  • Track and celebrate college application submissions and results.
  • Understand the requirements and benefits of the Promise Scholarship and other state financial aid programs.
  • Complete the FAFSA by the Promise Scholarship deadline.
  • Update your resume to include your work, volunteer experiences, honors, or skills that you’ve acquired since last school year.
  • Meet with admission officers from the colleges to which you applied or have been admitted.
  • Review the financial aid options and awards you received from colleges with a trusted school counselor and your family.
  • Make a financial deposit at your chosen college (if applicable) and attend orientation.
  • Identify and participate in volunteer opportunities related to your college and/or career goals.

Things to know:

  • Know the deadlines for the major components of the college application process, and plan to meet each of them.
  • Senior year grades still matter for admission and scholarship opportunities.
  • Understand the differences between the postsecondary institutions and how to choose between them.
  • You should apply to several schools with a range of acceptance requirements based on your GPA and ACT or SAT scores.
  • It is important to have a teacher or college access professional review your application before submitting.
  • Understand the requirements and benefits of the Financial Promise program.
  • Know how to complete the FAFSA, and I know who to go to for help.
  • Know all the facts when deciding which college is the best match for you (academically, financially, and with regard to your career goal).
  • Know who your admissions and/or financial aid officers are and how to contact them at your college.
  • Know who to contact regarding your financial aid, course registration, housing, academic support/advising, and how to make a deposit.
  • Evaluate your financial aid awards to determine the net cost of each institution and compare your different options.

Postsecondary

Things to do:

  • Schedule a meeting with your college academic advisor to discuss required coursework for graduation and/or transfer, eligibility for selective opportunities like honor societies or departmental scholarships or grants
  • Utilize the academic supports available such as tutoring, writing centers, or office of academic advising and student support
  • Update your resume to reflect your career goals and qualifications, and be sure to include your work, volunteer experiences, honors, or skills that you acquire during college
  • Choose a major or concentration
  • Monitor financial aid program requirements to ensure you maintain eligibility (e.g., GPA requirements for Promise Scholarship, community services requirements for WV Invests, etc.)

Things to know:

  • Understand how to plan course choices to meet requirements on time and in the proper sequence to earn your intended degree, certification, or diploma
  • If attending a community college, there are several pathways and requirements for transferring to complete a four-year degree
  • Know where to find the office of student support
  • Know where to go and who to contact for career services related to resume-building, job opportunities, interviewing, networking, etc.
  • Know where to go for health and support services such as counseling, wellness, tutoring, etc.
  • Know the requirements in order to maintain good standing at your college, and to maintain your scholarships or financial aid
  • Using support services on campus— such as a writing, tutoring, or counseling center—can help ensure that you stay on track for graduation/completion of your degree