The Ultimate Guide to College Planning in High School (for Students and Parents/Guardians)

This article was written by our friends at Scoir, the College & Career Network. 

I’ve been in your shoes. When I was in high school, I felt like I had 1,000 things on my to-do list (and that list didn’t even include college planning 😅).

If you’re feeling overwhelmed when thinking about college, you’re not alone. It would actually be pretty weird if you weren’t somewhat stressed.

But you don’t need to worry. College Aid Pro and Scoir (hey, that’s us 👋) are here to help.

The Scoir team put together this super simple list of to-dos for each year of high school. We broke down each year into student to-dos and parent/guardian to-dos to help you work together every step of the way and stay on track towards college.

P.S.: Our goal is to provide helpful information for students and families as they navigate college planning. However, the timeline we’ll share in this blog post may not align exactly with your school’s. Please contact your counselor for your school’s specific college readiness requirements for each year.

9th Grade College Planning To-Dos

Your first year of high school is all about 🌟personal development 🌟

For Students:

  1. Focus on Your Classes: Freshman year grades count! Develop strong study habits early. It’s easier to maintain good grades than to scramble to boost them later
  2. Try New Things: Join clubs, sports, volunteer, or all of the above! It’s the perfect time to explore your interests and what makes you feel happy
  3. Get to Know Yourself: Reflect on what you enjoy and where you excel. Explore careers that may align with your interests. Understanding your interests can guide which college and major you select
  4. Take the PSAT 8/9: If you’re eligible, late freshman year may be a good time to take the PSAT 8/9. Speak with your counselor to see when you should take this test
  5. Begin Writing Your College Resume: Even if you haven’t had a job yet, creating a college resume is totally worth it! Spending just half an hour now can really help you out later. College admissions staff love getting a snapshot of how you’re involved, where you’ve stepped up as a leader, and how you’ve grown throughout high school
  6. Meet Your Counselor: Reach out to your counselor directly and see if you can get a meeting or call on the books. They are there to support you throughout your college prep journey!
  7. Create a Scoir Account: Search for colleges and careers and build your college list (when the time comes), all in Scoir! You can create a free account here

For Parents/Guardians:

  1. Keep Communication Open: Regular check-ins about school life, friendships, and interests help your student feel supported. This can also spark productive conversations about college and how to plan for it
  2. Start Financial Conversations and Learn About the Options: Start discussing college costs early. You’ll want to complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile during your student’s junior year. A little prep now keeps everyone aligned and makes things easier later
  3. Create a Scoir Account: Connect with your student on Scoir so you can suggest colleges to them! Create a free account here

10th Grade College Planning To-Dos

Sophomore year’s theme? Learning about your college options.

For Students

  1. Focus on Classwork: Challenge yourself with honors or AP classes, if it makes sense for you!
  2. Lead and Engage: Dive deeper into your extracurriculars—take on leadership roles or organize events
  3. Explore Careers: Look into different career options and pathways to see what excites you. It’s okay if your ideas change over time!
  4. Take the PSAT: The PSAT is typically taken during 10th grade. Be sure to practice and take the test this year so you’re more prepared for the real thing (the SAT) in 11th and/or 12th grade
  5. Make Plans for the Summer: The summer before junior year is perfect for gaining experience in what interests you, whether that’s working, volunteering, or joining a summer program (plus, it looks great on college apps). Here’s a guide to making the most of your summer

For Parents/Guardians

  1. Encourage Exploration: Support your student as they take on new academic challenges and extracurricular activities
  2. Stay Informed: Attend college planning sessions or workshops to keep up with admission trends and financial aid opportunities. Subscribing to the Scoir blog is a great place to start!

 

11th Grade College Planning To-Dos

This is when college planning really ramps up. Key to-dos for your junior year include taking the ACT/SAT, building your college list, visiting colleges, and preparing to fill out financial aid forms.

For Students

  1. Build Your College List: Start creating a list of colleges that match your interests, goals, and personality. Think about campus size, location, and majors offered
  2. Explore and Consider Financial Aid: This is the year to dive into all things financial aid. Learn about the types of financial aid and get a sense of what financial aid amounts you’ll be eligible to receive
  3. SAT/ACT Prep: Start preparing early—practice tests build confidence, familiarize you with the question types and format, and ultimately improve your scores. Your SAT and ACT scores can help you land scholarships and strengthen your college applications
  4. Make an Impact: Stay involved in community service or projects you’re passionate about. Consistency and commitment are key
  5. Schedule College Visits for the Spring: Spring is a great time for college visits! If you can’t visit in person, attend virtual info sessions, open houses, or explore colleges online
  6. Request Letters of Recommendation: When you apply to college during the fall of your senior year, you’ll need a few letters of recommendation (Pro tip: make sure to ask your teachers well in advance of summer vacation)
  7. Choose Your Senior Year Classes: Heading into senior year, keep challenging yourself—your grades and classes still matter! Stay focused, and make this summer count as well by staying involved
  8. Write College Essays: The summer leading into your senior year is a great time to start brainstorming and conceptualizing your college essays. Starting your college essays the summer between junior and senior year can save a lot of stress

For Parents/Guardians

  1. Talk About Financial Aid: Be honest about financial expectations, budgeting, and possible college costs to avoid surprises later
  2. Plan Campus Visits: Support your student as they schedule trips to colleges on their list, and review this college visit checklist before you hit the road
  3. Support With Standardized Test Prep: Work with your student to create a standardized test prep plan

12th Grade College Planning To-Dos

You’re in the home stretch! Senior year’s priorities include fending off senioritis, finalizing your college list, applying to colleges, and securing your financial aid.

For Students 

  1. Finalize Your College List and Complete College Applications: Spend time writing authentic, thoughtful college essays. Start your applications early so you have plenty of time to complete them
  2. Maintain Your Grades: After you’ve submitted your applications, there is little to do except wait. However, that doesn’t mean you’re off the hook! Keep those grades up and finish the year strong
  3. Secure Financial Aid: If you haven’t already made a plan for your financial aid, be sure to do so with your parent/guardian
  4. Compare Offers, Accept, and Celebrate!: You did it! 🎉
  5. Thank Those Who Helped You Along the Way: Don’t forget to thank your counselors, teachers, mentors, tutors, and anyone else who helped you along the way!

For Parents/Guardians

  1. Navigate Financial Aid: Help complete the FAFSA and any other required forms. Look into scholarships and compare aid packages from different colleges
  2. Provide Emotional Support: Senior year can feel like an emotional rollercoaster. Take care of yourself, celebrate wins, and support your student through the challenges that pop up along the way

You’ve got this! It’s okay not to know everything about the process. Be sure to lean on your counselor and tools like Scoir and College Aid Pro; we’re here to help.

Looking for a tool to help you and your student keep your college planning organized? We think Scoir is a great place to start! 😉 Scoir helps you and your student discover colleges, find best-fit schools, and even apply when it’s time. Sign up for a free account to get started!