College-Bound Students

Additional items will be added as they become available.

A Helpful College Timeline

9th Grade:
  • Set up a high school plan. Many colleges recommend the following academic classes as a minimum: 4 years of English, 3 years of math (through Algebra II); 3 years of science (including at least one lab science); 3 years of socials studies; 2 years of foreign language or fine arts. Remember to plan for courses and experiences related to the expanded core curriculum for the visually impaired. In addition to strong academic skills, college students must have strong independent living skills.
     
  • Work hard!! Admission to college is usually based on the following: high school grade point average, class rank, difficulty of course work taken, ACT and/or SAT test scores, teacher recommendations and extracurricular activities.
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    10th Grade:

  • Take the PLAN test in the fall.
     
  • Continue to work hard–don’t wait until it’s time to apply for college to realize it’s time to start studying!
     
  • Start exploring career options. Ask the guidance educator and your IEP team for assistance.
     
  • Look for work or volunteer opportunities related to a field that interests you.
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    11th Grade:

  • Consider taking an ACT preparation class.
     
  • Take the ACT (in Illinois it is part of the PSAE administered to all juniors).
     
  • Attend financial aid meetings available to you and your parents through ISVI or your home school
     
  • Ask the guidance educator for information about colleges that interest you.
     
  • Talk to students attending colleges that interest you.
     
  • Visit college campuses. Make appointments with college admissions offices. Try to arrange visits so that you do not have to miss any school. If you must miss school, be sure to make appropriate arrangements in advance.
     
  • Do a free scholarship search in the spring.
     
  • Make contact with your DHS counselor to discuss post-secondary plans.
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    12th Grade / Exit Year:

  • Do a free scholarship search, if you have not yet done so.
     
  • Check with the guidance educator, on the school web site, with employers, and with local agencies for scholarship opportunities.
     
  • Consider retaking the ACT.
     
  • Consider taking a college course.
     
  • Visit college campuses. If you must miss school for a college visit, remember to make appropriate arrangements in advance.
     
  • Narrow your list of colleges to one or a few and apply for admission. If you are accepted to more than one, you can always decline a college letter of acceptance. It is best to apply for admission before December 1 of your last year in high school, if possible.
     
  • Attend financial aid meetings available to you and your parents.
     
  • Work with your parents to complete and submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible after January 1.
     
  • Respond to the financial aid award letter(s) that you receive from colleges to which you have applied.
     
  • Once you have made a final decision about the college you will attend, do the following:
     
  • Make the guidance educator aware of your decision.
     
  • Send in necessary forms and deposits to your college.
     
  • Inform any colleges to which you have been accepted, but that you will not be attending, of your decision.
     
  • Arrange to have final transcripts sent to the college of your choice.
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    Links to information for college-bound students:

    The College Board http://www.collegeboard.com/splash/

    Mapping Your Future http://www.mapping-your-future.org/

    Go College http://www.gocollege.com/

    The Princeton Review http://www.princetonreview.com/home.asp

    Peterson’s http://www.petersons.com/

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