Transcript - I am the One

Planning for
Your Future:
A Guide to the
“I am the One”
Student Planner
College Planner
This planner offers information about:
• meeting high school requirements,
• researching careers,
• investigating colleges & universities, and
• planning your future.
Though we have many resources available
to help you, only one person can make it all
happen: YOU!
Standard Diploma
Guidelines for these
requirements may be
found on the Virginia
Department of
Education website
doe.virginia.gov
under “Graduation
Requirements.”
Benefits of Taking AP Courses
• Credit – students actually earn hours toward
their college degree
• Placement – students can skip intro courses and move
on to advanced classes
Benefits of Taking AP Courses
1. Fewer classes to take means you get more time to study,
participate in campus life, or travel.
2. You could complete your degree in less time, saving you
and your family money.
3. Many colleges consider scores when you apply for
admissions or scholarships.
Virginia Institutions
Financial Aid
www.schev.edu lists
scholarships and grants
available to Virginia students
www.studentaid.ed.gov gives
you information about applying
for federal student aid
programs, including the FAFSA
www.vawizard.org/vccs/FinAid.
action can help you figure out
how to pay for college
Freshman Checklist
Create your personal résumé file.
Choose courses that meet graduation
requirements and will prepare you for college.
Remember your GPA counts in ALL subjects.
Start exploring your interests and possible
careers. For free career assessment tools visit
www.vawizard.org/vccs/Career.action.
Consider taking courses that will earn you
college credit.
Sophomore Checklist
Learn more about the PSAT. (Visit
www.collegeboard.com for free practice tests,
fee information, and testing dates.)
Make sure you’re on track with required
classes.
Talk with your older friends about their plans for
college.
Keep your grades up, and join clubs, teams, and
organizations.
Volunteer in your community – it’s a good thing
to do!
Junior Checklist
Sign up to take the PSAT. This year, your
score counts toward the National Merit program.
Learn more about different majors and what
schools have the best programs in those majors.
Download a free copy of the NCAA Guide for the
College-Bound Student-Athlete.
Start visiting campuses or take virtual tours.
Sign up for the SAT I and II and/or ACT. Be sure
to find out which test scores your chosen
colleges require.
Prepare by taking practice tests online at
www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org/aap.
Senior Checklist - Fall
Keep looking for scholarships and grants.
Make a list of your top target schools. Schedule
campus visits and find out about early
admission.
Review admissions requirements for your
college choices and compare them to where you
are on grades and test scores.
Start applying to colleges in October.
Have teachers and extracurricular advisors write
recommendations for you.
Get a copy of the FAFSA and ask your parents
to start gathering their financial information.
Senior Checklist - Spring
Submit your FAFSA no later than Feb. 15!
Be sure to keep a copy for your records.
Review deadlines and start applying to college!
Have first-term transcripts sent to your target
schools.
If you completed the FAFSA, review the Student
Aid Report (SAR) you’ll receive in March.
In April, make your final decision on a college!
Review the financial aid package from your
selected college, and pay required deposit(s).
Take any recommended AP exams.
Senior Checklist - Summer
Ask the admissions and/or financial aid
offices at your chosen school if they have
everything they need.
Ask your school counselor to send your final
transcript to your college.
Over the summer, pre-register for classes if you
can. Be sure to speak to an advisor if you have
questions.
If possible, attend an orientation session on your
new campus so you’ll feel more comfortable
when you arrive in the fall.
Testing 101
• The PSAT is a rehearsal for the
SAT and is used to select students for the
National Merit and National Achievement
scholarships.
• The SAT Reasoning Test is a standard way of
measuring a student’s ability to do collegelevel work.
• SAT II Subject Tests measure your skills in
specific subjects such as math, history, or
science.
• For more information, including dates, fees, and
free practice tests, visit www.collegeboard.com.
Testing 101
• The ACT is a national college admission
exam that allows students to prepare for the test.
For more information, visit www.actstudent.org.
• Check with your preferred college to see if you
are required to take the SAT or the ACT.
• The Compass Test helps college personnel
place you in courses appropriate for your skill
level. Most Virginia Community Colleges use this
test. For tips and sample questions, visit
www.act.org/compass/student/index.html.
Why Go to College?
1.
2.
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5.
6.
7.
8.
College graduates earn about $20,000 more
per year than high school grads.
A high school dropout will earn $1 million less than a
college graduate over their lifetime.
A college degree increases your chances of
employment by almost half.
The fastest-growing careers require a college degree.
There are more jobs for educated workers than there
are qualified people to fill them.
Jobs for college graduates typically offer perks like
health insurance and retirement plans.
Higher level of education = Better standard of living
If you go to college, your children and grandchildren
are more likely to go too.
Web Resources
PLANNING AND TESTING
• I am the One
www.i-am-the-one.com
• KnowHow2Go
www.knowhow2go.org
GOVERNMENT AGENCIES
• State Council of Higher
Education for Virginia
www.schev.edu
• Virginia Depart. of Education
www.doe.virginia.gov
• U.S. Depart. of Education
www.ed.gov
• American Council on Education
www.collegeispossible.org
FINANCIAL AID
• FastWeb
www.fastweb.com
• FinAid
www.finaid.org
• FAFSA
www.fafsa.ed.gov
(Remember, to receive any kind of
federal financial aid you must complete
the FAFSA each year.)
CAREERS
• Virginia Wizard
www.vawizard.org
www.i-am-the-one.com
Any questions or
comments?
This project was developed by the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia under a grant from the
U.S. Department of Education. The contents do not necessarily represent the policy of the DOE,
and you should not assume endorsement of the federal government.