Skip Section Navigation

High School is the best time to start preparing for the future! If you are ready to begin taking steps towards going to college, please review the timeline below to get some ideas about what to focus on and when.

Please note that this is a general timeline and does not reflect any college in particular. The items on this timeline are only a suggestion.

HIGH SCHOOL TO COLLEGE TRANSITION TIMELINE

9th and 10th Grade

FALL

  1. Meet with your school counselor to pick classes that match your interests and strengths
  2. Participate in Extracurriculars
  3. Take some Personality and Career Interest Inventories. These can give you some ideas as to what fields you might work well in and help steer your career path.

WINTER

  1. Maintain or Boost Grades
  2. Start Thinking about Financial Aid options
    • Research Scholarships, Grants, FAFSA, and also getting a Texas Workforce Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

SPRING

  1. Think about taking the PSAT to familiarize yourself with the test and practice your test taking skills. This may help reduce any anxiety surrounding the test and give you an idea what accommodations you might need for the real test.
  2. Start compiling a list of the activities you participate in and any awards/accomplishments you receive. This will be helpful when it comes time to fill out college applications.
  3. Think about doing some volunteer work or even getting a job for the summer. You will want to search for job openings around April as many summer jobs begin right as school ends.

SUMMER

  1. Begin summer employment or volunteer experience. Add these to your resume when complete.
  2. If you do not have a savings account already, this may also be a good time to set one up and start saving your money from your summer job.

11th Grade

FALL

  1. Meet with your school counselor to determine what classes you should take. You might even be on track to graduate early so it is always good to check in with your counselor.
  2. Take the PSAT in October
  3. Continue Extracurriculars
  4. Research Potential Colleges of Interest
    • Look online, go to college fairs, visit different campuses – it can be helpful to get a feel for what fits you best and who offers what you are interested in
    • Look into programs that specifically cater to your needs such as the ENGAGE and ELEVAR programs at UNT, the TIES program at UT Austin, or the CASE program at Texas Tech

WINTER

  1. Register for the SAT/ACT and make yourself aware of important deadlines
  2. Start to get a plan together for Financial Aid options
    • Check into Scholarships, Grants, FAFSA, and also getting a Texas Workforce Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor

SPRING

  1. Check in with your Counselor about Dual Credit options over the summer at your local community college as well as any other classes you should line up for your Senior year
  2. Start contacting people who you would like a Letter of Recommendation from to ensure you receive your letters with an adequate amount of time for submission. You are likely not the only student asking for them, so it is important to give plenty of advanced notice.

SUMMER

  1. Visit your Top 5 colleges you think you want to pursue
  2. Participate in volunteer work or get a summer job
  3. Start compiling your documents and working on college applications

12th Grade

FALL

  1. Keep up with important deadlines (applications, fairs, info sessions, scholarships, etc.) – there will be many!
  2. Complete your college essays and request and compile your Letters of Recommendation
  3. Finish and submit your college applications
  4. Start submitting applications for scholarships and follow up on ones already applied for
*UNT has guaranteed admission if you meet certain criteria. To learn more about how to apply to UNT, visit https://www.unt.edu/admissions/apply-now.html
**UNT Housing Application opens in October! Please refer to the UNT Housing Department and Website for more info: https://housing.unt.edu/

 

WINTER

  1. Double check receipt of college applications
  2. Fill out and submit FAFSA info to determine financial aid options
  3. Get set up with Texas Workforce Commission – Vocational Rehabilitation

SPRING

  1. Review FAFSA results to determine financial aid options
  2. Keep an eye out for college admissions notifications in the mail and in email
  3. Make your final decisions on what college to attend
  4. Finish enrollment paperwork for the college you choose and review welcome packet
  5. Sign up for Orientation and Apply for any special programs that may have an additional application process such as securing housing, class accommodations, as well as the ENGAGE program here at UNT
*UNT Housing Portal opens in January to sign the lease, submit ADA requests, select meal plan, and opt into renters’ insurance. Pre-Payment will be requested at this time. Please refer to the UNT Housing Department and Website for more info: https://housing.unt.edu/
 
**UNT Office of Disability Access (ODA) provides class accommodations for students with disabilities and requires students to register with their office. For more information, please visit: https://studentaffairs.unt.edu/office-disability-access/students/registe...

 

SUMMER

  1. Send your final high school transcript
  2. Prep for Move-In if you are going to live on campus. Practice any skills you might have anxiety about like self-advocacy, doing laundry, buying groceries, cooking/using a microwave/using a planner or your phone calendar/etc.
  3. Attend New Student Orientation and follow up on any necessary steps such as registering for classes or completing an interview for specific programs.

COLLEGE READINESS SKILLS CHECKLIST

Please feel free to download this check-list to help give you a better idea of what to expect during your college experience.

The items on this checklist are not specific requirements from any university but are to be thought of as a guideline for what may be expected of you as a new college student.

Please note that if there are boxes left unchecked, this does NOT mean you are not ready for college. It just helps you understand some of the areas you may need to work on to feel comfortable during your college experience.