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An Educational Timeline

FRESHMAN YEAR

This is the year to get acclimated to high school while developing good study habits.  Your final grades will be the beginning of the high school transcript and cumulative grade point average.

  • Enjoy high school. Begin the year with a positive attitude!
  • Study hard and work towards getting the best grades possible.
  • Get to know your counselor.
  • Get involved in at least one extracurricular activity.
  • Build strong academics by taking challenging courses.
  • Begin using Naviance Family Connection to explore colleges and careers.  Naviance has links for financial aid information and scholarship searches.
  • Know the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) requirements if you want to play sports in college.
  • OLSD High School Post-Secondary Planning Fair on March 5, 6-9 PM

SOPHOMORE YEAR

 This is the year to explore your personality, interests and values and how those might relate to your post-secondary options.

  • Concentrate on keeping your grades up.
  • Get involved in extracurricular activities, volunteering or part-time employment.
  • Utilize the career tab in Naviance Student to take interest and personality inventories, then use these results to explore college majors and careers.
  • Attend the Columbus Suburban College Fair at Otterbein University on October 13, 2019, 1-3:30 pm.  
  • Attend the Delaware Area Career Center presentation during your US History class in October and if interested, go on the optional field trip to the DACC.  The DACC application process begins in November.
  • OLSD High School Post-Secondary Planning Fair on March 5, 6-9 PM

JUNIOR YEAR

This is the year to become serious about exploring your post-secondary options and prepare accordingly.  Attend the college representative sessions in school, go to college fairs, visit college campuses and utilize your Naviance Student account for online research.

September

  • Begin your year with great study habits! Your cumulative GPA at the end of this year will be the GPA you will be using for college applications.
  • Stay involved with extracurricular activities, volunteering and/or part-time employment.
  • Make sure you are meeting NCAA requirements if you want to play sports in college.
  • Sign up for the college representative sessions in Student Services. You are allowed to attend three.
  • Attend the Columbus Suburban College Fair at Otterbein University on October 13, 2019, 1-3:30 pm.  

October

  • On Wednesday, October 16, 2019 take the PSAT/NMSQT
  • Attend the college representative sessions.
  • Consider taking an ACT or SAT preparation course and utilize the test prep in Naviance to practice for the ACT.  

November

  • Keep your grades up!
  • Visit a college campus.  Three visits are allowed per junior/senior year. You must submit a College Visit Form to the Attendance Office.
  • Begin researching when you plan on taking the SAT and ACT. You should take them at least once, possibly twice during your junior year.

December

  • PSAT scores should be arriving before winter break. Look over your score report to assess your strengths and weaknesses. This is an informative tool in preparing for the SAT.  Utilize Khan Academy to prepare for the SAT.

January

  • Utilize the colleges tab in Naviance Student to help you search for colleges based on your select criteria.
  • Check college websites to schedule college preview days/visits throughout the winter and spring.
  • Scheduling for next year will begin this month. When selecting your senior courses, be sure to pick challenging but realistic courses. In addition, review the required credits for graduation.

February

  • If interested in a military academy, begin inquiring about this process.
  • Continue to practice for the ACT/SAT.
  • Juniors, district-wide, will take the ACT at no charge on Wednesday, February 26.  

March

  • OLSD High School Post-Secondary Planning Fair on March 5, 6-9 PM
  • Between March and December, if interested in applying to a military academy, you must request a nomination from our state’s congressperson(s) or other designated nominator. Additional requirements may be found on the individual academy’s websites.
  • If applicable, consider taking certain SAT IIs in June. Not all students will need to take these subject matter SATs for college admission purposes. You can take up to three tests at a time. Check with your counselor if you have questions about this.

April

  • Continue to evaluate post-secondary options and visit colleges.

May

  • Be sure your senior courses are scheduled to meet all graduation requirements.
  • Take AP Exams, if appropriate.

June

  • Visit college/tech schools over the summer.
  • Any athlete hoping to play college sports at a Division I or II college must register with the NCAA Clearinghouse. Submit the preliminary transcript and final transcript request forms to Student Services, and have official test scores sent to NCAA.
  • Enjoy your summer!!!

SENIOR YEAR

September

  • Make a chart with all deadlines for your college applications/scholarships and financial aid.
  • Begin your college applications for college admissions and financial aid. Most colleges have these applications available on-line.
  • Be sure to print a copy of your application
  • Many applications require letters of recommendations. Be sure to give your teachers AT LEAST TWO WEEKS notice to complete your recommendation.
  • Register for ACT, SAT I and SAT II (if needed).
  • Sign up to meet with college representatives in Student Services.
  • Continue to visit colleges.
  • Attend the Columbus Suburban College Fair at Otterbein University on October 13, 2019, 1-3:30 pm.  
  • Meet with your counselor.

October

  • Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form on-line (www.fafsa.ed.gov) if you are interested in qualifying for any financial aid, work study, scholarships, grants or loans. 
  • Apply NOW for Early Action or Early Decision.
  • Request your transcripts through Naviance at least two weeks prior to an application deadline.
  • Request your official test scores from ACT and/or Collegeboard at least 4-5 weeks prior to an application deadline.
  • Be sure to check the local scholarship list on Naviance regularly.
  • Keep your grades up!

November

  • Continue completing your applications and following deadlines.
  • Keep current with the scholarship list.

December

  • Get ready for exams. First semester grades may be the last set of grades which colleges will be using for your admission decisions.

January

  • Keep current with the local scholarship list on Naviance and utilize the scholarship search engines to seek national scholarship opportunities.
  • Look over your deadline sheets and make sure you have all your necessary forms in.

February

  • Continue to complete scholarship applications.

March

  • Don’t get senioritis!
  • Continue to complete scholarship applications.

April

  • You will hear of your college admissions status by April 1st.
  • Review your financial aid packages very carefully.
  • You have until May 1st to make your final decisions.
  • Again, keep current with scholarship applications.

May

  • By May 1st you need to send in your tuition deposits and housing contracts.
  • Notify the colleges where you were accepted, that you have decided to go elsewhere. Your spot may go to someone else!
  • This is the month of AP Exams.
  • Request your final transcript on Naviance.

June

  • Final transcripts will be sent to your colleges this month.

Summer:

  • Receive the orientation schedule from your college
  • Get residence hall assignment from your college
  • Obtain course scheduling and cost information from your college.

Best wishes for a bright future!