College Ready

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It’s never too early to start planning for college. These are the things students and parents can do at each grade level to ensure post-graduation readiness.

 

6TH GRADE

    • Students interested in math/science fields are encouraged to practice math/science skills everyday adn maintain good grades. Be sure to strive to be in Accelerated Math in 6th grade. The course will enable your child to progress to AP Math in high school.
    • Focus on developing good study habits, organizational skills and time management skills.
    • Get involved in extracurricular activities.
    • Maintain good grades.
    • Create an account to these valuable sites:
    • Take an interest inventory to explore careers based on your personal interest through OK Career Guide.
    • Visit a college campus or career tech.

    7TH GRADE

      • Students interested in math/science fields are encouraged to enroll in Pre-Algebra or higher. The course will enable your child to progress to AP Math and Science courses in high school.
      • Focus on developing good study habits, organizational skills and time management skills.
      • Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
      • Maintain good grades.
      • Create an account to these valuable sites:
      • Re-take an interest inventory to explore careers based on your personal interest through OK Career Guide.
      • Visit a college campus or career tech

    8TH GRADE

      • Students interested in math/science fields are encouraged to enroll Algebra 1 or higher. The course will enable your child to progress to AP Math and Science courses in high school.
      • Consider enrolling in other high school classes offered at your middle school.
      • Apply for Oklahoma’s Promise to earn scholarships for college.
        • Must have an adjusted gross income not exceeding $55,000 per year.
      • Take the PSAT 8/9 then connect your score to Khan Academy to begin preparing the PSAT/NMSQT and other college entrance exams.
        • Review your Advance Placement Potential based on PSAT results.
      • Start exploring classes you are interested in taking in high school. Click here to view course catalog.
      • Focus on developing good study habits, organizational skills and time management skills.
      • Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
      • Maintain good grades.
      • Start practicing for ACT http://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/test-preparation.html
      • Create an account to these valuable sites:
      • Re-take an interest inventory to explore careers based on your personal interest through OK Career Guide.
      • Visit a college campus or career tech.

    9TH GRADE

      • Apply for Oklahoma’s Promise to earn scholarships for college if not completed in 8th grade.
        • Must have an adjusted gross income not exceeding $55,000 per year.
      • Take the PSAT 8/9 then connect your score to Khan Academy to begin preparing the PSAT/NMSQT and other college entrance exams.
        • Review your Advance Placement Potential based on PSAT results.
      • Gain an understanding of what courses are required to graduate high school.
      • Research college entrance requirements for schools you are interested in attending.
      • Focus on developing good study habits, organizational skills and time management skills.
      • Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
      • Volunteer for Community Service (40 hours required per grade in high school).
      • Maintain good grades.
      • Re-take an interest inventory to explore careers based on your personal interest through OK Career Guide.
      • Visit a college campus or career tech.

    10TH GRADE

      • Apply for Oklahoma’s Promise to earn scholarships for college if not completed in 8th or 9th grade. This is the last year you can apply!
        • Must have an adjusted gross income not exceeding $55,000 per year.
      • Take the PSAT/NMSQT then connect your score to Khan Academy to begin preparing the PSAT/NMSQT and other college entrance exams.
        • Review your Advance Placement Potential based on PSAT results.
      • Make sure you are on track to take the required courses needed to graduate high school. Click here to view course catalog.
      • Consider taking the SAT and/or ACT.
        • Students on Free & Reduced Lunch can receive fee waivers from their counselor.
      • Research college entrance requirements for schools you are interested in attending.
      • Focus on developing good study habits, organizational skills and time management skills.
      • Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
      • Maintain good grades.
      • Re-take an interest inventory to explore careers based on your personal interest through OK Career Guide.
      • Visit a college campus or career tech.
      • Begin to make a list of colleges or career techs you would like to attend.
      • Take the PSAT/NMSQT for practice.

       

    11TH GRADE

      • Take the PSAT/NMSQT.
        • Scholarship money is available through this exam your 11 th grade year.
        • Make sure you answer all relevant questions to enter the scholarship program.
      • Make sure you are on track to take the required courses needed to graduate high school.
      • Take the SAT and/or ACT.
        • Students on Free & Reduced Lunch can receive fee waivers from their
          counselor.
      • Research college entrance requirements for schools you are interested in attending.
      • Start collecting letters of recommendation or recommendation forms from teachers, counselors, principals, etc.
        • If the form is to be mailed, make sure to include stamped, college-addressed envelopes, making certain all portions are filled out completely and accurately.
      • Research and apply for scholarships.
        • Scholarships can be found in many places. Make sure to check with your counselor, their website and/or principal emails on a regular basis for scholarship information.
      • Focus on developing good study habits, organizational skills and time management skills.
      • Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
      • Maintain good grades.
      • Re-take an interest inventory to explore careers based on your personal interest through OK Career Guide.
      • Visit a college campus or career tech.
      • Review and modify your list of colleges or career techs you would like to attend.

    12TH GRADE

      • Make sure you are on track to take the required courses needed to graduate high school
      • Take the SAT and/or ACT.
        • Send your official test scores to the colleges to which you are applying.
        • Students on Free & Reduced Lunch can receive fee waivers from their
          counselor.
      • Narrow down your choices for college or career tech to your top 3 to 5 schools.
        • Be sure to include a “dream” school and a “safety” school.
      • Start applying for college or career tech admissions.
        • Make sure you are aware of application DEADLINES!
        • EARLY DECISION – Most early action applications are due between October 1 and November 1.
      • Complete the FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
        • Application opens October 1 – www.fafsa.gov.
        • Current income tax information is required.
      • Start collecting letters of recommendation or recommendation forms from teachers, counselors, principals, etc.
        • If the form is to be mailed, make sure to include stamped, college-addressed envelopes, making certain all portions are filled out completely and accurately.
      • Research and apply for scholarships.
        • Scholarships can be found in many places. Make sure to check with your counselor, their website and/or principal emails on a regular basis for scholarship information.
      • Start on any essays to be included with your applications.
      • Watch the mailbox!
        • Early decision replies usually arrive between December 1 and 31.
      • Stay involved in extracurricular activities.
      • Maintain good grades.
        • Make sure you are appropriately challenging yourself with Honors and/or AP classes.
      • Re-take an interest inventory to explore careers based on your personal interest through OK Career Guide.

      SPRING SEMESTER

      • Continue to check financial aid options and scholarships, APPLY, APPLY, APPLY!
      • Request that your official high school transcript be sent to your colleges to which you are applying.
      • Contact the colleges to which you applied to make sure all your required information has been received and if anything additional is needed.
      • Most colleges will notify you if you have been accepted or not by April 15th.
      • If you are living on campus, submit your housing deposit.
      • Compare college acceptance letters, financial aid and scholarship offers to select the best choice.

      AFTER HIGH SCHOOL GRADUATION

      • Ask your school to send your final transcripts to the college you will be attending.
      • Ensure all concurrent coursework transcript has been sent to Mercy School and is on high school transcript. Be sure all ACT scores and transcritps  are sent to the college you will be attending

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