b'62ACTIVITY9 thand 10 th Grade ChecklistPlanning for college begins as soon as you enter high school. Use this checklist to stay on track as you strengthen your academic profile, explore your interests, and build the support you need to become a strong college applicant.Start PlanningChallenge Yourself Academically Use a planner to track your assignments, test dates, Make sure you are enrolled in the most challenging and extracurricular activities, and to organize andacademic courses available at your school (p. 9).prioritize your work (pp. 9-10).Investigate opportunities to take part in collegeCreate a college file to save all your notes, preparation or academic enrichment programscorrespondence, and important paperwork. (p. 66). Take time out to try new things, explore newLearn about college prep programs for highinterests, and find out what is important to you schoolers, like Advance at College, Summer(pp. 7-8). Search, and Upward Bound (p. 66). Begin to build your resum (pp. 12-13).Read books and newspapers to build your Find out if you have access to Xello through yourvocabulary and knowledge base (p. 10).school and learn how it can help you throughthe college admissions process (p. 6). Learn about Standardized Tests Take the Preliminary SAT (PSAT) as practiceAssemble Your College Prep Team for taking the SAT (p. 28). Ask your school Talk to your parents or guardians about your collegecounselor about PSAT scheduling at your school.plans (p. 6). Begin to research colleges together.It is never too early to start preparing for the Meet with your school counselor and teachers. SAT or ACT (p. 30).Discuss your post-high school goals and planstogether. Ask about college prep programs in whichExplore Opportunities and Interestsyou might participate.Join clubs or teams that interest you and takeon leadership roles (p. 9).Prepare Financially Find opportunities to do community service. Start learning about financial aid and ways to pay Begin to explore different careers andfor college (pp. 39-56). Understanding financial aidvisit the U.S. Department of Labor website, options early on can help you down the road. www.mynextmove.org or If possible, begin to save money for college www.miproximopaso.org (pp. 7-8).expenses.Explore the Roadtrip Nation website for videos Explore the College Boards tools and webinars:of people who have turned their interests intobigfuture.collegeboard.org/pay-for-college/their lifes work. www.roadtripnation.com.get-help-paying-for-college/how-does-financial-Research volunteer jobs and internships in fields aid-work. that interest you (p. 9). Visit www.educationplanner.org provided by Visit colleges with your parents or guardiansPHEAA to learn about educational costs and (pp. 22-23). Try to visit two schools each year,student aid. either virtually or when students are on campus.'