To help Upward Bound students in preparing for college, we developed a set of checklists to follow. There is a checklist for each grade level.

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• Ninth Grade Checklist
• Tenth Grade Checklist
• Eleventh Grade Checklist
• Twelfth Grade Checklist

Ninth Grade Checklist

To print this checklist:

1. Download Ninth Grade Checklist (21 KB).
2. Select "Open" to open the checklist.
3. Pull down the "File" menu and select "Print."

• Welcome to High School! This is officially your first year of high school and your grades will be included on your high school transcript.
• Remind your parents and other adults that you want to go to college. Make an appointment with your guidance counselor and talk with him/her about your plans.
• Talk with your Upward Bound counselor about your plans.
• Make sure that you are taking college preparatory courses.
• Do your best in school. If you are taking an honors course and having difficulty— don't give up—get help from a teacher, tutor or mentor.
• Get involved in extracurricular activities.
• Think about careers that interest you and talk with people in those careers.
• Visit a local college or university.
• Create a college file and include the following items:
  • Copies of your report card
  • A list of awards and honors you receive
  • A list of community organizations and clubs you join, including dates of service and offices held
  • A list of paid and volunteer jobs you have held
    
    

Tenth Grade Checklist

To print this checklist:

1. Download Tenth Grade Checklist (21 KB).
2. Select "Open" to open the checklist.
3. Pull down the "File" menu and select "Print."

• Talk with your parents and guidance counselor to make sure that you are taking all preparatory courses required for admission to college.
• Keep doing your best in school.
• Start getting ready for standardized tests. Most college and universities require you to take the SAT I or the ACT test. The SAT I test measures your verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities. The ACT is a test of the American College Testing Program. It includes tests in English, math, science reasoning and reading.
• This year you may want to take thePreliminary SAT (PSAT) to help you prepare for the SAT I. It will be especially difficult to take in the 10th grade if you have not had Algebra I and Geometry. Most students take the PSAT in the 11th grade. The PSAT scores are not sent to colleges. Use it to strengthen your test taking skills. Your 11th grade PSAT scores may qualify you for some scholarships. The PSAT is only offered in October. Your counselor can provide information about registration fee waivers. These are available to students who have difficulty paying for the test.
• Try some new extracurricular activities or expand the ones you are currently involved in.
• If you need to work, try to find a part-time job that is related to your career interests. Start saving money for college!
• Update your college file: include any new awards or certificates received.
• Visit colleges and universities to acquaint yourself with the collegiate environment.
• Ask your counselor to explain the differences between colleges and universities, private and public colleges, two-year and four-year colleges and the different types of undergraduate degrees.
• Start learning the specifics about financial aid such as scholarships, grants, loans, and college work study. These are the different parts of the financial aid package which is awarded to college students.

Eleventh Grade Checklist

To print this checklist:

1. Download Eleventh Grade Checklist (21 KB).
2. Select "Open" to open the checklist.
3. Pull down the "File" menu and select "Print."

• Continue to take college preparatory courses. Colleges look for students who challenge themselves.
• Keep updating your college file.
• Take the PSAT Test. You must take it this year to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship and the National Hispanic Scholar Awards.
• Prepare for the SAT I or the ACT! You should plan to take it twice since most colleges will use you highest score when evaluating your application. You may wish to attend test preparatory courses before taking the test.
• Take the SAT I or the ACT in May or June. Your counselor can provide you with the test dates, registration packet and information about fee waivers. Check the deadlines.
• Start thinking about taking the Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests). Subject Tests are designed to measure your knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as your ability to apply that knowledge. Many colleges use the Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Used in combination with other background information (your high school record, scores from other tests like the SAT Reasoning Test, teacher recommendations, etc.), they provide a dependable measure of your academic achievement and are a good predictor of future performance. Some colleges specify the Subject Tests they require for admission or placement; others allow applicants to choose which tests to take. Most students take Subject Tests toward the end of their junior year or at the beginning of their senior year.
• Attend college fairs and presentations by college representatives.
• Create a file on each college and university which appeals to you.
• Start thinking about the type of college you would like to attend—small or large, public or private.
• Ask questions when you don't understand something.
• When you visit colleges and universities, ask to meet with an admissions counselor and a student.
• Ask family members who have attended college what college was like for them.
• Use the Internet to search for colleges.
• Make a file for information about scholarships, grants, eligibility requirements and deadlines.
• Use the Internet to find private scholarships and fellowships.
• Continue saving for college.

Twelfth Grade Checklist

To print this checklist:

1. Download Twelfth Grade Checklist (24 KB).
2. Select "Open" to open the checklist.
3. Pull down the "File" menu and select "Print."

• Check with your counselors and teachers to make sure you are still taking the right courses
• Colleges will request your senior grades before making a final decision on your application, so keep up your studies!
• Early in September register for the SAT I and/or the ACT and the Subject Test (SAT II).
• Visit colleges and universities. If a college requires that you have an interview, be sure to schedule an early appointment.
• Go to college fairs and presentations by college representatives. Listen for school announcements for information about college representatives visiting your school or area.
• Consider applying to colleges electronically on the Internet.
• Update your file on each college on your final list. Make a checklist for each college: transcripts, application fees, test scores, letters or recommendation, essays and financial aid application.
• Pay attention to all deadlines—mark them down on a calendar.
• Ask your teachers and counselor to write their recommendations as early as possible. They write hundreds of recommendations, so the sooner you get yours in, the better.
• Start on your application essays in the early fall. Write a few drafts, then have other people read it and give you comments.
• Start on your applications as soon as you receive them. Make sure that your application forms are filled out completely and neatly. If the application fees are a burden, ask your counselor about application fee waivers.
• Make a photocopy of all completed forms before you send them. Keep the copies in your college files.
• Request financial aid information and an application form when you ask for an admission application. Check all deadlines!
• Ask you parents to prepare their income tax returns as early as possible this year because you need their tax information to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). This form determines your eligibility for federal aid and provides colleges and others with information for administering their own financial aid. The FAFSA is available at your high school or can be accessed electronically on the World Wide Web (http://www.fafsa.ed.gov). Ask for help if you or your parents have difficulty filling it out. You should complete and mail in your FAFSA by the earliest financial aid deadline of the schools to which you are applying, generally by early February.
• In order to award their own private funds, many colleges require submission of forms in addition to the FAFSA. Be sure to find out which forms your colleges require and what their financial aid deadline is.
• Compare letters of acceptance and financial aid awards from the colleges you applied to before deciding which college to attend.
• Mail in your acceptance reply form and deposit check before the deadline stated in your letter, particularly if you are planning to live in the residence halls (dorms). Also, mail in your acceptance of the financial aid award.

CONGRATULATIONS!

You did it. Get set for your new adventure in college.

Be sure to participate in your college's orientation program.

Good luck!

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