College Basics – Overview
Freshman Year
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Get to know your Guidance Counselor
Get involved in clubs & activities
Become familiar with Naviance, an individual guidance website
Attend Freshman Parent Guidance meeting (around November)
Tryout for sports, if you play a sport
Start a resume – it’s easier to remember if it is started now
Start good habits of communicating with teachers
If appropriate, take SAT II (subject test) in Biology
Become familiar with the NVOT website
Choose challenging but appropriate classes
Learn how to manage your time
Sophomore Year
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Stay in touch with your Guidance Counselor
Consider taking the PSAT
Review graduation requirements
Review college requirements for high school courses
Participate in clubs & activities
Attend Sophomore Parent Guidance meeting (around May)
Choose challenging but appropriate classes
If appropriate, take SAT II (subject test) in Chemistry or other
subjects that may be appropriate
Apply for accommodations needed for standardized testing
Send letters of interest to college coaches
Update resume
Review Naviance
Junior Year
 Most important year academically.
 NCAA registration at beginning of the year (for athletes)
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Take the PSAT
Attend individual guidance meetings
Attend Junior Parent Guidance meeting (around December)
Schedule SAT and ACT tests
Participate in clubs & activities, try to move into positions of
leadership or responsibility
Review graduation requirements before choosing classes
Review high school class requirements for college applications
Develop list of colleges - identify interests & colleges that have
it
Start college visits
Research athletic programs & camps offered at colleges of
interest or sports showcases
Email coaches to get information and show interest
At end of year, send transcripts to NCAA, if registered (for
athletes)
Update resume
Update Naviance
Decide what teachers to ask for recommendations
Take SAT II (subject tests) based on classes taken
Summer after Junior year, Common Application becomes
available on August 1.
Senior Year
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Meet with Guidance Counselor
Update Naviance
Track Guidance deadlines
Visit colleges, attend college presentations at NVOT
Take SAT & ACT & SAT II (subject tests)
Participate in clubs & activities – assume leadership positions
Develop calendar for athletic recruiting dates and deadlines.
Complete list of colleges and start applying – Common
Application & college specific supplements
Ask teachers for recommendations
Understand early action, early decision and regular decision
Attend Parent Guidance meeting for seniors (around
September)
Contact Guidance to let them know what schools to send midterm grades to
Fill out Financial Aide form (FAFSA) in January
Start finding scholarships and applying
2012-2013 Important Guidance Dates
 9th Grade Guidance Night – 11/19
 10th Grade Guidance Night – 5/2
 11th Grade Guidance Night – 12/12
 12th Grade Guidance Night – 9/6 (already passed)
 “Happy” film – 11/27 NVOT (social/emotional wellness)
 Financial Aid Night – 11/28 at NVD
Useful Resources
 Guidance Website on NVOT Website
o NCAA website link
o Naviance link
o College Board (SAT testing and college search) link
o College planning calendar links
o Financial Aide resources link
o College & career information
o Scholarships
o Forms/guides/presentations
High School Course Graduation Requirements
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English I, II, III, IV
A course in World History/Cultures and U.S. History I, II
Three courses in Mathematics
Three courses in Science
Two courses in the Related Arts*
One course in World Languages
One-half credit year of career exploration, which will be infused
into the existing subject areas over the student’s four year
program
 Health and Physical Education and/or Physical Education for
each year in attendance (one year of Physical Education and
Health or driver education shall constitute one credit)
 One half-year course in personal financial literacy
*One credit must align with the Career Education, Consumer, Family,
and Life Skills Standards and one credit must align with the Visual
and Performing Arts Standards.
Typical High School Curriculum for College Admissions
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English: 4 years
Foreign Language: 2 to 3 years
Math: 3 years
Science: 3 years
Social Studies (including history): 3 years
Note: College requirements vary from college to college.
Guidance counselors can clarify.