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 Courses1. 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 college-level 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. College graduates earn about $20,000 more per year than high school grads.

2. A high school dropout will earn $1 million less than a college graduate over their lifetime.

3. A college degree increases your chances of employment by almost half.

4. The fastest-growing careers require a college degree.5. There are more jobs for educated workers than there

are qualified people to fill them.6. Jobs for college graduates typically offer perks like

health insurance and retirement plans.7. Higher level of education = Better standard of living 8. 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 Virginiawww.schev.edu

• Virginia Depart. of Educationwww.doe.virginia.gov

• U.S. Depart. of Educationwww.ed.gov

• American Council on Educationwww.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.