Countdown to Collge (11th and 12th grade)

Junior Year

August:  Review your high school courses to make sure you are on track with your required courses to graduate as well as eligibility for A-G.  Take rigorous courses.  Get involve in clubs or other extra curricular activities if possible.

September:  Meet with your counselor and start planning on looking at different colleges.  Be prepared for (PSAT) Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test that is offered in Oct. 12, 2011 for students at DAHS 9-11.  Plan to attend College Fairs with your parents.

October:  Take the PSAT.   Check with your teachers to ensure you are passing all your classes.  ***REMEMBER THAT TO BE ELIGIBLE to APPLY to a 4 year COLLEGE, you need to maintain "C" grades within A-G requirements. :-)

November:  For those that haven't passed the CAHSEE, DO YOUR BEST to pass it this time.  Enroll at a Community College if you need to take a class for credit recovery.  See your counselor for a concurrent form.

December/January:  Plan to take the SAT/ACT tests.  See the links on our site.  CC classes start if you registered for one. 

February:  Register for SAT/ACT.  Seek for ACT/SAT exam prep courses that are being offered in your area. 

March:  Take the SAT and/or the ACT.  Sign up for summer school if needed.  Check out scholarships or summer programs catered for your grade level.

April/May/June:  Continue researching about different colleges and scholarships.  Prepare essays for admission to college.



Senior Year

August/September:  Meet with your counselor and review transcript to ensure you are taking the right courses.  Take rigorous courses if possible.  Start thinking about options after high school and plan on deciding which colleges you plan on applying for.  Mark your calendar for important deadlines about college applications and financial aid/scholarships.

October:  Seniors need to have passed the CAHSEE or will take a test this month.  Register for SAT/ACT if necessary.  Request for a copy of your transcript to start the application process for college.  Seek and apply for scholarships.  Start the process of requesting for letters of recommendations.
 
November:  Take the SAT and/or ACT test.  Start submitting college applications - due on the 31st.  Seek college fairs and plan to attend.  Attend Financial Aid workshops (FAFSA).  Attend college preview days.

December:  Gather data needed to complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). 

January:  Submit your FAFSA application online (see link on blog) as soon after Jan. 1 or by March 2.  Make sure you submit a signed form for the Cal Grant GPA verification form due by March 2 as well.

February:  Check to make sure if colleges need your mid-year transcripts.  If you are in AP courses, plan on taking the AP exams.  Study and do your best.  Attend college preview days. 


March/April:  Applying for FAFSA and cal grant verification for should have been submitted by March 2.  Check if you have been accepted by the college of your choice.

May:  Take the AP exam if needed.  You are almost done.....continue to DO YOUR BEST!!!

June:  GRADUATION!!!!!  :-))

~  Mrs. P

College Info / Fair

Choosing which college to attend can be very stressful.  This is a good time to attend different College Fairs and/or Information Days.

- College Information Day for 6th - 12th grade students and parents:

          Saturday, Oct. 15, 2011

          Wheeler Hall, UC Berkeley

          8:30 AM- 1:00 PM

   For more info: (510)451-5917

   Pre-register online at:  http://www.eastbayconsortium.org/  - NO registration Fees

- College Admissions 101 

          Four opportunities to attend:

   John F. Kennedy High School Library - Tuesday, Sept. 27 6:45 PM-8:30 PM

   El Cerrito High School Library - Thursday, Sept. 29t 6:45 PM-8:30 PM

   Pinole Valley High School Library - Thursday, Oct. 4  6:45 PM- 8:30 PM
   Richmond High School - Thursday, Oct. 20  6:45 PM - 8:30 PM

   Hercules Middle High School Library - Thursday, Oct. 27  6:30 PM- 8:15 PM

-  College Fair

          Pinole Valley High School's Third Annual College Fair

          Saturday, October 29, 2011

          10:00 AM - 2:00 PM

    For further info: (510)758-4664

Planning and Organizing

As much as I try to be organized myself...I sometimes be so ambitious and then get half way done and never get to reach my deadlines which then leads to procrastination.  One thing I know for sure is that planning and organizing is one of the few that we need to do to be successful in whatever we plan on accomplishing.  It can either be simple things from cooking to cleaning your room or simply planning out your schedule for the day.

I wanted to reach to as much students and parents regarding graduation requirements and college/career options yet have been thinking on what would be the best way to reach to all.  I finally decided that through my blog, I will be able to at least make it easier for students, parents and interested parties to check out this blog and hopefully narrow their search regarding college and career info.  I will try my very best to update this site and provide direct links that are important for college planning, applications, Financial Aid and scholarship links and info.  Of course, let's not forget the WCCUSD graduation requirements which aligns closely to the A-G UC/CSU eligibility requirements.  Hopefully, I will try and make more sense of what these requirements are and the minimum recommendations to take such courses.

I have planned and organized all valuable information I see important for every single student and parent.  Hopefully, I will try make it where it is like a one stop shop to search for resources regarding options after high school, college, careers as well financing options such as FAFSA(Financial Aid) and scholarships.

If you have any questions or comments that you may want to know or see, I will try my best to search the information and add it here on my site.


Thank you!   

~ Mrs. P