b'569 TH AND10 TH GRADECHECKLISTPlanning for college begins as soon as you enter high school. Use this checklist to stay on track as you strengthen your academic profile, explore your interests, and build the support you need to become a strong college applicant.Start Planning Challenge Yourself AcademicallyUse a planner to track your assignments, test dates, Make sure you are enrolled in the most challengingand extracurricular activities, and to organize and academic courses available at your school.prioritize your work. Investigate opportunities to take part in collegeCreate a college file to save all your notes,preparation or academic enrichment programs correspondence, and important paperwork. (p. 60).Take time out to try new things, explore newLearn about Philadelphia Futures Sponsor-A-interests, and find out what is important to you. Scholar and College Connection Programs and Begin to build your resum (pp. 12-13). how they can help you reach your goal of earning Find out if you have access toNAVIANCE Family a college degree (back cover).Connection through your school and learn how it Read books and newspapers to build your can help you through the college admissions process. vocabulary and knowledge base.Assemble Your College Prep Team Learn about Standardized TestsTalk to your parents or guardians about your college Take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) as practice plans (p. 6). Begin to research colleges together. for taking the SAT (p. 28). Ask your school Meet with your school counselor and teachers.counselor about PSAT scheduling at your school.Discuss your post-high school goals and plansIt is never too early to start preparing for the together. Ask about college prep programs in which SAT or ACT (p. 30).you might participate. Explore Opportunities and InterestsPrepare Financially Join clubs or teams that interest you and take Start learning about financial aid and ways to pay on leadership roles.for college (pp. 39-50). Understanding financial aid Begin to explore dierent careers and options early on can help you down the road. visit the U.S. Department of Labor website,Begin to save money for college expenses.www.mynextmove.org orIt is never too early to start saving.www.miproximopaso.org (pp. 7-8).Visit www.360financialliteracy.org. Explore the Roadtrip Nation interview archive Explore the College Boards tools and webinars viaNAVIANCE Family Connection for videos about topics such as college savings and tuitionof people who have turned their interests into tax credits: www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org/ their lifes work. You can also take advantage get-started/for-parents. of Roadtrip Nation resources by visiting Visit www.educationplanner.org provided by www.roadtripnation.com.PHEAA to learn about educational costs andResearch volunteer jobs and internships in fieldsstudent aid. that interest you.Visit colleges with your parents or guardians (pp. 22-23). Try to visit two schools each year, eithervirtually or when students are on campus.'