How to Get to College 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 us at the office: (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 list
Fall/Winter
- Meet with your counselor or Talent Search Representative to make sure you're taking courses that fulfill the A-G requirements.
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
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 as well as discussing any difficulties you might be having with school and classes.
Spring
- Take the California High School Exit Exam (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
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 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 PSAT. Your scores will help you analyze what areas you need to strengthen before you take the SAT.
Spring
- Attend Talent Search Spring Break College Tours
- Start filling out the CSU application. When senior year rolls around, all you will have to do is update your classes.
- Testing:
- Take SAT Reasoning Test and/or ACT (Ask your counselor or Talent Search Representative for a fee waiver)
- If you are planning on applying to a UC, take two SAT Subject Tests. One of the tests must be Mathematics Level 2 test.
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.
Fall
- Apply to University of California (UCs) or California State Universities (CSUs) by November 30th.
- Testing:
- Take SAT Reasoning Test and/or ACT (Ask your counselor or Talent Search Representative for a fee waiver)
- If you are planning on applying to a UC, take two SAT Subject Tests. One of the tests must be Mathematics Level 2 test.
- TESTING DEADLINE FOR FALL APPLICANTS IS THE DECEMBER TEST - meaning colleges will not accept any SAT test taken after December, even if you get a perfect score!
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 (FAFSA) by March 2. Ask your Talent Search Representative 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.