College Preparation Timeline

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• Take rigorous courses in all core subject areas
• Get involved in school- and community-based co-curricular activities
• Get involved with volunteer service opportunities 
• Visit with your school counselor
• Start saving for college if you haven't already done so
• Investigate summer opportunities, ie) HOBY. Missouri Business Week, etc.

11th grade

• Continue to take rigorous courses in all core subject areas
• Visit with your school counselor
• Continue participation in co-curricular activities
• Continue volunteer service opportunities 
• Continue saving for college
• Research colleges and universities that interest you.  Request information from those schools that you would like to learn more about
• Attend college fairs and sign up to visit with college representatives visiting SDHS 
• Research financial aid and scholarship opportunities
• Take the PSAT in mid-October
• Take the ACT or SAT sometime during the second semester
• Schedule college visits (second semester or over the summer)
• Investigate and participate in summer opportunities, ie) Boy's and Girl's State, Engineering Camps, etc.

12th Grade

• Continue to take rigorous courses in all core subject areas
• Visit with your school counselor
• Continue to participate in co-curricular activities
• Continue with volunteer service opportunities 
• Continue saving for college
• If you haven't already done so, take the ACT or SAT
• Apply to the colleges you have selected.  Make sure you pay attention to deadlines 
• Research and apply for scholarships.  Check out the SDHS Scholarship Bulletin.  Again, pay attention to deadlines 
• After January 1, complete the FAFSA form.  Don't forget to attend "Financial Aid Night" in early January
• Review college acceptance letters and compare financial aid offers
• When you have decided where you want to attend, notify that school of your commitment and let the others know you will not be attending, in writing