College Prep Checklists

Freshman Checklist

Fall Semester

• Attend Freshman Orientation
• Explore and visit all the resources on campus
  • Meet with and learn who your Counselor is
  • Visit and familiarize yourself with the College & Career Center
• Get involved in extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, community service, etc.)
• Be sure to practice and establish strong study habits and time management techniques
  • Build healthy routines
• Make sure you have access to Naviance
  1. Go to the Naviance Login
  2. Type in 'Piedmont,' hit 'Go,' and click on 'Piedmont High School'
  3. Select your user type as 'Student'
  4. Click 'Continue with Clever,' then use your school email to login using Google
• Do some exploring in Naviance
  • Naviance Guide
  • Under the 'Self-Discovery' tab, take some assessments
    • Recommended: Personality; Learning and Productivity; Skills; Career Cluster Finder

 

Spring Semester

• Do some research to explore different careers and majors in more depth
  • Take some self-exploration assessments in Naviance if you haven't already
• Athletes: familiarize yourself with NCAA and NAIA athletic recruiting requirements
• Plan a summer experience that helps you explore a passion or interest
  • Take advantage of volunteer and/or internship opportunities over the summer
  • Make sure you keep your resume updated in Naviance

 

Sophomore Checklist

Fall Semester

• Explore the resources on campus (Library, Counselors, College & Career Center, etc.)
• Take classes that challenge and excite you - and stay on top of them academically
• Get involved in extracurricular activities (sports, clubs, community service, etc.)
• Be sure to practice and establish strong study habits and time management techniques
  • Build healthy routines
• Sign up and take the optional PSAT
  • This test automatically qualifies you for the National Merit Scholarship
• Make sure you have access to Naviance
  1. Go to the Naviance Login
  2. Type in 'Piedmont,' hit 'Go,' and click on 'Piedmont High School'
  3. Select your user type as 'Student'
  4. Click 'Continue with Clever,' then use your school email to login using Google
• Do some exploring in Naviance
  • Naviance Guide
  • Under the 'Self-Discovery' tab, take some assessments
    • Recommended: Learning and Productivity; Career Cluster Finder; Career Interest Profiler

 

Spring Semester

• Do some research to explore different careers and majors in more depth
  • Take some self-exploration assessments in Naviance if you haven't already
• Athletes: familiarize yourself with NCAA and NAIA athletic recruiting requirements
• Visit the colleges you are interested in if you are able
  • Explore virtual visit options
• Take advantage of volunteer and/or internship opportunities over the summer
  • Make sure you keep your resume updated in Naviance

Junior Checklist

August

• Visit and familiarize yourself with the College & Career Center. 
• Make sure you have access to Naviance.

1. Go to the Naviance Login
2. Type in "Piedmont" click "Go," and then click on "Piedmont High School"
3. Select your user type as "Student"
4. Click 'Continue with Clever,’ then use your school email to login using Google

• Begin building your resume in Naviance.
• Explore different colleges and other resources in Naviance.
  • Naviance Guide
• Register to attend up to 5 College Visits through Naviance. 

 

September - October

• Take the “Career Interest Profiler” and “Career Cluster Finder” in Naviance.
• Sign up to take the optional PSAT. 
  • This test automatically qualifies you for the National Merit Scholarship
• Register for the SAT or ACT if you are taking a test. See if you are eligible for fee waivers for the SAT or ACT.
  • List of test optional & test free colleges
  • Study tips and schedule guide
• Continue to register for and attend up to 5 College Visits.

 

November - December

• Start keeping a list of colleges, careers, and majors that might interest you. Add schools to your “Colleges I’m Thinking About” list in Naviance.
• Explore the “Advanced College Search” and “SuperMatch College Search” in Naviance.
• Discuss college finances with your parents and begin to search for scholarships.
  • BigFuture Scholarship Search
  • Scholarships.com
  • FastWeb Scholarship Search
• Visit the colleges you are interested in if you are able. Explore virtual visit options.
• Study for any SATs or ACTs you may be taking.
• Attend Community College Night

 

January - February

• Prepare for and sign up for ACT or SAT test dates.
• Make a list of your top 15 colleges and begin researching more about them.
  • How to choose a college
  • How to create a college list
• Plan for college visits for Spring break.
• Do research to explore different careers and majors in more depth.
• Start brainstorming who you might ask for letters of recommendation, if needed.

 

March - April

• Research and sign up for summer internships.
• Take the SAT or ACT.
• Register with the NCAA Clearinghouse or the NAIA Eligibility Center by the end of Junior year if you want to play competitive sports in college (Division I or II).
• Sign up for AP exams.
• Attend the Mock Admissions event

 

May - June

• Take AP exams.
• Review your SAT or ACT test results.
• Start to narrow down your list of colleges you’re interested in. In a list of 10 schools, you should have…
  • ~3 “Reach” schools that are highly selective
  • ~4 “Target” schools for which you are a competitive applicant
  • ~3 “Likely” schools that you can definitely get into
• Visit the colleges you are interested in if you are able. 
• Begin reaching out to teachers and counselors for letters of rec.
  • Advice for asking for a letter of rec
• Take advantage of volunteer opportunities over the summer.
  • Make sure you keep your resume updated in Naviance.

Senior Checklist

August

• Make sure you have access to Naviance.
  • Naviance Guide
• Discuss college finances with your parents and begin to search for scholarships.
  • Scholarship searches: BigFuture, Scholarships.com, FastWeb
  • Financial Aid information slideshow
• Narrow down and finalize your college list to between 5 and 10. Move schools in Naviance from 'Colleges I'm Thinking About' to 'Colleges I'm Applying To.'
  • Visit the colleges you are interested in if you are able. Explore virtual visit options.
• Decide which applications you need to complete. Make a list of application deadlines based on the schools you are applying to. 
  • The Common Application (opens Aug 1)
  • The Coalition Application 
  • The UC Application (opens Aug 1)
  • The Cal State (CSU) Application (opens Oct 1)
  • California Community Colleges
  • Some schools don't use the Common App or Coalition App. Navigate the individual school's website to begin their application. 
• Fill out your resume on Naviance.
• Register to attend College Visits through Naviance.
• Make a list of people to ask for letters of recommendation. Reach out to counselors and/or teachers to ask if they would write you a letter of rec.
• Begin brainstorming essays/personal statements.
• Register for the SAT or ACT if you are taking a test. See if you are eligible for fee waivers for the SAT or ACT.

 

September

• Complete the Brag Sheet in Naviance and meet with your counselor. 
• Work on your college application essays, personal statements, and/or Personal Insight Questions. Complete 2-3 drafts and seek feedback. 
• If applicable, register with the NAIA or NCAA Clearinghouse for Division I and II athletics. 
• Decide if you want to apply Early Action or Early Decision to any college. Deadlines are usually around the beginning of November
• Attend Financial Aid Night

 

October

• The Cal State (CSU) Application opens Oct 1st.
• Complete Financial Aid forms
  •  FAFSA can be filed starting Oct 1st.
  • The Dream Act Application can be filed starting Oct 1st.
  • Complete the CSS Profile if applicable. 
  • Some private schools request additional financial forms. See what is needed from each individual school. 
• Make sure your finalized list of colleges you are applying to is in Naviance. 
• Send your SAT or ACT scores to the colleges you're applying to. You must ask the College Board/ACT to send scores officially.

 

November

• Submit Early Decision and Early Action applications, along with your CSS Profile.
• Begin to finalize your essays/personal statements for regular decision schools.
• Submit UC and CSU applications by November 30th.
• Attend Community College Night.

 

December

• Complete, save, and submit applications for regular decision through the Common App or Coalition App. 
• Consider any EA or ED acceptances you may have received. 
• Check on your letters of recommendation --- has everything been sent?
  • Consult the Recommenders and FERPA section in your Common App account to monitor when your transcript and letters of rec have been submitted to colleges
  • Send thank-you-notes to teachers and counselors for letters of rec

 

January

• Keep your grades up -- Winter interim reports might be sent to colleges!
• Keep checking deadlines -- many regular decision applications are due in January
• If you were accepted to a school Early Decision, you must withdraw all other applications. 

 

February - March

• The FAFSA priority deadline is March 2nd. This is also when the CalGrant is due.
• If you have applied for financial aid, make sure that you have received the Profile acknowledgement and the Student Aid Report (SAR) from FAFSA.
• Most priority deadlines for the CSS Profile are in February
• If you're taking AP classes, register for May Advanced Placement tests.

 

April - May

• Take AP exams.
• Compare financial aid packages from admission offers.
• Complete a list of all your college responses (accept, reject, wait list) and update Naviance
• Review your acceptances and make your decision. If possible, visit the college of your choice for an overnight before making your final decision.
• Notify the college of your choice.
  • Send ONE deposit by May 1st. You must notify the remaining schools where you were accepted that you will not be attending. 
  • If you are on a waitlist, notify that college of your decision to remain on or be removed from the list. 
  • Send Intent to Register (deadline is usually May 1).
  • Check for any other deadlines (i.e., housing, scholarships).
• Send deposits for housing in applicable.
• Complete the Senior Survey in Naviance before graduation

 

June

• The FAFSA final deadline is June 30th.
• As for your final transcript to be sent to your college.
• GRADUATION! CONGRATULATIONS! CELEBRATE!!