Talk to your school counselor. Make sure you are on track to graduate next year. Your guidance counselor should also be able to provide information on how to register for standardized tests and may recommend a different course load.
Bonus Points! Earn college credit in high school by taking AP, Dual Credit or Tech-Prep courses.
Pay attention to your grades! Your GPA will be important to college admissions as well as scholarships.
Test! Take the PSAT/NMSQT
Extra, extra! Be involved at school, and community. Look for work, internships in the fields that interest you and or summer enrichment programs.
Test again! Take the ACT and/or SAT during the spring semester. You will take the SAT on campus at HHS in the spring of your junior year.
Research possible college and request or download information from them. Discuss visiting them with your parents.
Take solid elective courses (extra math, science, foreign language, social sciences, computers, etc.)
Run for leadership positions in the organization you are involved in
Get to know the admission criteria for your top schools and know where you stand in meeting those criteria.
Attend events on college campuses (plays, concerts, sporting events, activities related to your major, etc.)
Keep meeting with your college/career advisor at least once a year
Start or update an academic resume
Consider putting together a portfolio that highlights your special skills and talents
Keep filling out the college comparison worksheet (PDF; 1 page, 64KB)
Check into applying to colleges online
Search for scholarship opportunities
Continue to do your best in school

All Year
Continue to explore careers and colleges

Fall
Take the PSAT/NMSQT. You must take the test in 11th grade to qualify for scholarships and programs associated with the National Merit Scholarship Program.

Spring
Register for and take ACT/or SAT exams for college admission. Remember to register in advance to have time to study the test guidelines. If you have difficulty paying a registration fee, see your school counselor about getting a fee waiver.

Search for Scholarships and know the guidelines! Some deadlines fall as early as the summer between 11th and 12th grades, so prepare now to submit applications soon.

Summer Before 12th Grade.
Narrow down the list of colleges you are considering attending. If you can, visit the schools that interest you.

Contact colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admission requirements, and deadlines

Decide whether you are going to apply under a particular college’s early decision or early action program. Be sure to learn about the program deadlines and requirements.

Use the FAFSA4caster financial aid estimator, and compare the results to the actual costs at the colleges to which you will apply. To supplement any aid FAFSA4caster estimates you might receive, be sure to apply for scholarships. Your goal is to minimize the amount of loan funds you borrow.

Find out what government financial aid you can apply for, and how, in Do You Need Money for College—Federal Student Aid at a Glance.

Learn how to avoid scholarship scams and identity theft as you look for financial aid and then attend college.

Hobbs Municipal Schools

College Readiness

College Prep Checklist

Freshman

Sophomores

Juniors

Seniors