College Prep Timeline

The following timeline is a guide to making sure you fulfill all college admissions requirements to successfully graduate high school and are eligible to apply for college. If you have any questions, make sure to ask your Talent Search Representative or call our office at (657)278-8545.

REMEMBER: From the college point of view, only a C or higher grade counts as successfully passing a course.
Look up your high school's A-G course listOpens in new window

Freshman Year

Fall/Winter (change to monthly breakdown)

Spring

  • When meeting with your counselor for next year's classes, try to enroll in AP or Honors courses in the subjects you do well in.
  • Attend Talent Search Spring Break College Tours
  • Attend Talent Search Career Fair
  • Apply for Talent Search's Summer Program

Summer

  • If you didn't pass any classes (D or F), make sure to talk to your school counselor to see if you need to attend summer school. Otherwise...
  • Attend the Talent Search Summer Program

Sophomore Year

IMPORTANT: Sophomore and Junior years are the most important years when applying for college. Do your academic best. If you need help, make sure to go to tutoring and/or ask your Talent Search Representative for a referral.

Fall/Winter

Spring

  • Take the California High School Exit Exam Opens in new window (CAHSEE) and achieve a passing score of 350 or above.
  • When meeting with your counselor for next year's classes, try to enroll in AP or Honors courses in the subjects you do well in.
  • Attend Talent Search Spring Break College Tours
  • Attend Talent Search Career Fair
  • Apply for Talent Search's Summer Program

Summer

  • If you didn't pass any classes (D or F), make sure to talk to your school counselor to see if you need to attend summer school. Otherwise...
  • Attend the Talent Search Summer Program

Junior Year

IMPORTANT: Sophomore and Junior years are the most important years when applying for college. Do your academic best. If you need help, make sure to go to tutoring and/or ask your Talent Search Representative for a referral.

Fall/Winter

  • Meet with your counselor or Talent Search Representative to update your A-G course list Opens in new window as well as discussing any difficulties you might be having with school and classes.
  • Start figuring out what are the most important qualities you want in your dream college. For example, do you want to stay close to home or far away? What major are you interested in pursuing? Do you want to go to a small or big school? A checklist might help you organize your thoughts.
  • Start looking at colleges that you might be interested in attending.

Winter

  • Start researching scholarships and organizing them by due date so you're ready to apply when the application period opens up.
  • Sign up to take the PSATOpens in new window . Your scores will help you analyze what areas you need to strengthen before you take the SAT.

Spring

Summer

  • If you didn't pass any classes (D or F), make sure to take summer school courses and score a C or better.
  • Continue researching and getting ready to apply for scholarships. The upcoming fall will be very busy, so the more work you do now, the easier it will be for you later.

Senior Year

Fall

Winter

  • Apply for scholarships . Deadlines vary, so make sure you keep track of each scholarship's requirements and stay organized.

Spring

  • Get a copy of your parents taxes and fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid Opens in new window (FAFSA) by March 2. Ask your Talent Search Representative Opens in new window about a FAFSA workshop.
  • Attend Talent Search Spring Break College Tours, especially if the field trips include a school you've applied to.
  • Visit colleges that you've applied to.
  • Check your email regularly, as colleges will be emailing you a response.
  • You will receive different financial aid packages from each school you apply to. Make sure to read each offer throughly, discuss with your parents what is financially reasonable, and throughly weigh all your options for each college you've been admitted to.
  • When you've decided which college you want to attend, make sure to follow their instructions for how to file your intent to register (each college is different). If you have questions, make sure you ask your Talent Search Representative and bring in a copy of the letter that you have questions about.
  • Register and take placement exams.
  • If you are taking an AP class, make sure to take the AP test. You can earn college credit if you score well on the test(s).

Summer

  • Congratulations Graduate! Take this time to read your college website, sign up for classes, and maybe even visit your college campus so you know where you need to go the first week of classes.
  • Continue to follow through with any paperwork or information your college requests.
  • As always, feel free to contact the Talent Search office if you have any questions or concerns.

College Information

Apply Online

California College Information

General College Information

  • College View Opens in new window - research colleges, learn about financial aid, the college application process, potential careers & majors
  • Xap Opens in new window - research colleges, learn about financial aid, the college application process, potential careers & majors
  • Mapping your future Opens in new window - a free resource for career, college, financial aid, and money management information

Scholarships

Private Scholarships are an underutilized component of paying for college. It is never too early to researching scholarship opportunities. Here are couple of scholarship website to get you started:

Scholarship Scams

When applying for scholarships, it's important to watch out for scholarship scams that will trick you out of your money. Watch out for these red flags:

  • "The scholarship is guaranteed or your money back." - No scholarship is ever guaranteed.
  • "You can't get this information anywhere else." - Most scholarships WANT people to know about their opportunities and advertise it freely
  • "I just need your credit card or bank account number to hold this scholarship." YOU NEVER pay money for a scholarship.
  • "We'll do all the work." - Sounds too good to be true? Then it probably is. "You've been selected by a 'national foundation' to receive a scholarship"
  • "You're a finalist" in a contest you never entered. - Sounds too good to be true, THEN IT PROBABLY IS.