Planning for Your Future: A Guide to the I am the One Student Planner

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Planning for Your Future A Guide to the I am
the One Student Planner
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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!

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Standard Diploma
Guidelines for these requirements may be found on
the Virginia Department of Education website
doe.virginia.gov under Graduation Requirements.
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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 Courses
• 1. 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.

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Virginia Institutions
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Financial Aid
www.schev.edu lists scholarships and grants
available to Virginia students www.studentaid.ed.g
ov 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
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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.

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Sophomore Checklist

• Learn more about the PSAT. (Visit
  www.collegeboard.com for free practice tests, fee
  information, and testing dates.)
• Make sure youre 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 - its a good thing
  to do!

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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.

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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.

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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) youll 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.

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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 youll feel more comfortable
  when you arrive in the fall.

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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 students 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.

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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.

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Why Go to College?

• College graduates earn about 20,000 more per
  year than high school grads.
• A high school dropout will earn 1 million less
  than a college graduate over their lifetime.
• A college degree increases your chances of
  employment by almost half.
• The fastest-growing careers require a college
  degree.
• There are more jobs for educated workers than
  there are qualified people to fill them.
• Jobs for college graduates typically offer perks
  like health insurance and retirement plans.
• Higher level of education Better standard of
  living
• If you go to college, your children and
  grandchildren are more likely to go too.

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Web Resources

• PLANNING AND TESTING
• I am the Onewww.i-am-the-one.com
• KnowHow2Gowww.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.collegeispossibl
  e.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

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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.