Hoover High School

FRESHMAN

• Prepare a 4-year curriculum plan and consider Advanced Level/Pre-IB courses and electives that will grow current talents and introduce new skills.
• Join clubs, organizations, and after school programs that you enjoy and that match your interests.  Participate in athletics, fine arts, and/or service opportunities.
• Keeps copies of all important documents and involvements.  These may include report cards, certificates and awards, community service documentation, etc

SOPHOMORE

• Continue all curriculum and involvements from the freshman year.
• Begin to prepare for sophomore standardized testing.  Take the PLAN and PSAT, tests that will prepare you for the ACT and SAT which you take in your junior year.  Review your results to create a study plan for the ACT/SAT.
• Begin to research the different types of colleges and decide on which type of school will meet the academic, financial, and social characteristics that are important to you.  Go to college fairs and open houses. Learn as much as you can about colleges online.
• Begin creating your résumé.  Use information from your freshman and sophomore year.
• Talk with your parents, counselor, and teachers about selecting courses for your junior and senior year that will earn high school and college credit like AP, IB, and Dual Enrollment.
• Look for summer program opportunities that develop your academic interests or talents.

Junior

• Enroll in the most challenging courses where you can be successful.  Consider all AP, IB, and dual enrollment options available at HHS.
• Register for the PSAT, ACT, and SAT.  Study for these tests by using your Method Test Prep account.
• Update your résumé.
• Take the College Search Inventory on collegeboard.com and create a list of colleges to contact for more information and schedule a campus visit.
• Attend private visits at HHS with college representatives for schools in which you are interested and attend the NACAC College Fair in September.  Juniors should also visit colleges where they plan to apply, try to include a large, medium size, and small campus.
• Complete your senior packet and transcript release and return to Mrs. Bond in the College and Career Office.
• Talk to junior teachers who you might ask to write your letters of recommendation.
• Do something interesting or meaningful with your summer.  Employment and community service counts.
• Begin college applications this August!

Senior

• Retest on the ACT/SAT if you are not satisfied with your junior year scores.
• Complete college applications, requests for letters of recommendation, and transcript requests.
• Finalize your college essay/personal statement.
• Go to college fairs, visit campuses, and private visits at HHS.  The more your college admission representative knows you, the more they can help get you the information needed to make a good college choice.
• Research scholarship opportunities at schools where you have been accepted as well as those offered in the community.
• Apply for financial aid after October 1st, www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• Revisit colleges to which you are accepted.
• Stay focused on high school!  Colleges require final transcripts.