b'569 TH AND 10 TH GRADE CHECKLISTPlanning 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 Academically Use a planner to track your assignments, test dates, Make sure you are enrolled in the most challenging and extracurricular activities, and to organize andacademic courses available at your school (p. 9).prioritize your work (pp. 9-10).Investigate opportunities to take part in collegeCreate a college file to save all your notes, preparation or academic enrichment programscorrespondence, 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(pp. 7-8). how they can help you reach your goal of earning Begin to build your resum (pp. 12-13). a college degree (back cover). Find out if you have access to NAVIANCE Family Read books and newspapers to build yourConnection through your school and learn how it vocabulary and knowledge base (p. 10).can help you through the college admissions process. Learn about Standardized TestsAssemble Your College Prep TeamTake the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) as practice Talk to your parents or guardians about your collegefor taking the SAT (p. 28). Ask your schoolplans (p. 6). Begin to research colleges together. counselor about PSAT scheduling at your school. Meet with your school counselor and teachers.It is never too early to start preparing for theDiscuss your post-high school goals and plans SAT or ACT (p. 30).together. Ask about college prep programs in whichExplore Opportunities and Interestsyou might participate.Prepare FinanciallyJoin clubs or teams that interest you and takeon leadership roles (p. 9). Start learning about financial aid and ways to pay Begin to explore different careers andfor college (pp. 39-50). Understanding financial aidvisit the U.S. Department of Labor website,options early on can help you down the road. www.mynextmove.org or Begin to save money for college expenses. www.miproximopaso.org (pp. 7-8).It is never too early to start saving.Explore the Roadtrip Nation interview archiveVisit www.360financialliteracy.org. via NAVIANCE Family Connection for videos Explore the College Boards tools and webinars:of people who have turned their interests intohttps://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-their lifes work. You can also take advantagecollege/financial-aid. of Roadtrip Nation resources by visiting Visit www.educationplanner.org provided bywww.roadtripnation.com.PHEAA to learn about educational costs andResearch volunteer jobs and internships in fields student aid. that interest you (p. 9). Visit colleges with your parents or guardians(pp. 22-23). Try to visit two schools each year, either virtually or when students are on campus.'