Academic Planning

Students in the ninth grade are adjusting to high school.  It's a big step and the school counseling office staff is here to help ensure a smooth transition to OHS for every student. 

9th Grade Checklist:

• Keep grades up and study hard.
• Join at least one sport/club or organization.
• Stay organized and on top of homework - check StudentVue.
• Review 4-year college readiness course plan with school counselor.
• Scheduled counselor meetings: each school counselor will meet with 9th grade students throughout the year in small groups, classrooms, and individual meetings. 

Most of all, 9th grade is a time to not just work hard and keep grades up, but to get involved, make new friends and have fun.

10th Grade Checklist:

September

• Make sure your are taking challenging courses and are prepared and organized to do well in those courses.
• Keep a record of your co-curricular involvement, volunteer work, and employment (all year) in MaiaLearning. Remember the level of involvement and accomplishment is most important, not the number of activities.

October

• Take the PACT (practice ACT) in school October/November. The results will not be used for college admission, but to analyze college readiness.

November

• Complete “Personality Test" assignment in MaiaLearning for English Class. Counselors will be in classrooms to present the assignment and how to use this personality assessment to help guide you towards career choices and possible majors and college choices.

December

• Meet in small groups with your school counselor to review “Personality Test” assignment and PACT results. Explore future courses that fit your areas interest/ personality as well as ways to improve on future standardized tests and courses to discuss which may be required or beneficial for your post-high school plans.

January

• Keep studying! Get ready for finals. See academic support if you need it.
• Volunteer-a great way to identify your interests and to develop skills.

February

• Register for junior year classes. Use information from December school counselor meetings to register for appropriate courses. Try taking an AP course if you have not already.
• It is never too early to start researching the colleges and universities you talked about with your school counselor. Visit the College & Career Center off the media center. Have trained volunteers help you to browse through literature and guidebooks or surf the Web and check out college and university home pages.

April/May

• If you are taking any AP Courses, see your school counselor for advice on SAT Subject tests.
• Plan now for wise use of your summer. Consider taking a summer course or participating in a special program (e.g., for prospective engineers or journalists or for those interested in theatre or music) at a local college or community college. Consider working or volunteering.

Summer

• If you work, save some of your earnings for college.
• If you travel, visit a college campus. Try visiting a small, medium and large college campus to see size which you prefer.
• Make your summer productive. Continue reading to increase your vocabulary.

Junior year is a big year of college prep!  Students prepare for the College Fair.  Begin college selection process.  Attend college fairs, financial aid seminars, general information sessions, etc., to learn as much as you can about the college application process. 

September/October

• Attend college visits at the OHS College & Career Center for colleges in which you have interest.  Follow us on Instagram and X to keep up to date with the calendar - @oronocounselor
• Register for the PSAT in the school counseling office.
• Prepare for the National College Fair in early Fall.  School Counselors will be in your English classrooms to talk to you about the college search process, how to determine fit, and how to make the best use of the college fair.  Be sure to bring a parent note 3 days prior to be excused from school!
• Take to 10-12 colleges of interest at the National College Fair.
• Take the PSAT in school in October/November. 
• Make sure you are meeting NCAA requirements if you want to play Division I or II sports in college. 

November 

• Grades are extremely important in the college admission process.  They are a measure of how well you do in advanced, upper-level courses.  So put in the extra effort to keep your grades up!

December

• Receive the results of your PSAT.  Read your score report and consult your counselor to determine how you might improve on future standardized tests. 
• Register for the February ACT.  

January

• Research colleges.  Use the internet or College and Career Center resources to find places of interest.
• Meet with your school counselor to review your courses for this year and plan your schedule for senior year.

February/March

• Meet with your school counselor to discuss your preliminary list of colleges.  Discuss whether your initial list of colleges meets your needs and interests (academic program, size, location, cost, etc.) and whether you are considering colleges where you are likely to be admitted.  You should be optimistic and realistic when applying to colleges. 
• Signing up for a prep course, using computer software, or doing the SAT/ACT practice tests available in the counseling office or at bookstores.  But don't spend so much time trying to improve standardized test scores that grades and co-curricular involvement suffer. 

April

• If you are in AP level courses, talk to your counselor about SAT Subject tests.  Register for the May SAT Reasoning Test.
• Continue to evaluate your list of colleges. 
• Look into summer jobs or apply for special summer academic or enrichment programs.  Colleges love to see students using their knowledge and developing their skills and interests.

May

• Begin visiting colleges.   Set up visits and interviews if possible.  Many colleges will tell you they are optional, but an interview will show interest, enthusiasm and initiative on your part and provide an excellent opportunity to have your questions answered.  Do a practice interview with your counselor, teacher, employer, or a senior who has had practice. Interview times can book quickly so set them up as early as possible.
• Take the SAT Reasoning Test or the SAT Subject Tests.

Summer

• Visit colleges, take tours, and talk to current students.   Although it is ideal to visit colleges during the academic year, going in the summer will be valuable.  Make college visits a family event.  Involve your parents and siblings in every step of your application process.  Choosing the right college is a tough decision; the opinions of those who know you best can provide helpful insight into which college is best for you.

August

• Being preparing for the application process. Begin drafting essays, collecting writing samples, assemble portfolios or audition tapes. 
• If you are an athlete and plan on playing in college, contact the coaches at the schools to which you are applying and ask about intercollegiate and intramural sports programs and athletic scholarships.  Complete the NCAA Initial- Eligibility Clearinghouse form if you hope to play Division I or II sports.  This form cannot be mailed until you finish your sixth semester of high school.

September

• Counselors meet with seniors in their English courses during the second week of school to review the college application process.
• Make an appointment with your counselor to be sure your list includes colleges appropriate to your academic and personal record.  Review your transcript and co-curricular records with your family and counselor. 
• Senior Parent College Night
• Arrange for letters of recommendation - give recommendation requests to teachers 4 weeks prior if required.
• If counselor needs to complete a written recommendation letter, complete Counselor Brag Sheet (can be found in School Counselor Schoology course).
• Parents complete Optional Parent Input Questionnaire (In School Counselor Schoology course).
• Attend college visits to OHS. 
• Attend the National College Fair.

October

• Plan Visits to Colleges of interest over MEA.
• Meet with counselor as needed.
• Arrange for you ACT and SAT scores to be sent to colleges--scores must be sent directly from ACT and SAT. The high school does not send out scores. Be sure to send your best score only.
• Some private universities may require you to register for CSS/Financial Aid Profile at this time.
• Work on essays in English class and activity resume. These will be finished mid-October in class.
• Attend the OHS Financial Aid Night.

November

• November 1 is deadline for military academy applications and some ROTC programs.
• Check MaiaLearning for Application deadlines.
• November 1 and 15 - deadlines for some Early Decision and/or Early Action Applications.
• November 1 is Priority DEADLINE for the University of Minnesota applications.
• Register for last chance ACT.
• Continue to submit applications as completed--most applications completed by the end of the month.
• Investigate scholarship opportunities – many deadlines are happening now.

January

• Some schools will also ask student to complete CSS/Financial Aid Profile (before February 15th if possible).
• First semester transcripts sent to colleges.

February

• Remember to get university/college housing requests in as soon as possible

March

• Local scholarship information available (late March)

April

• Colleges reply.  If you are waitlisted at a school, be sure to see your counselor.
• Visit college campuses to help make college visits and final decisions.
• Meet with counselor, if needed, to discuss options.
• Applications due for local scholarships to the counseling office Early April.
• Thank the teacher(s) who wrote your college recommendation letters and let them know the results.

May

• Students reply to colleges--May 1 is final reply date for most schools. (Make sure you return housing contracts and pay fees by deadline.)
• Notify the other schools that you will not be attending.
• Final check with counselor.
• AP exams - early May.
• Senior Survey: Post-Secondary Plans (Arrange for final transcript to be sent to student's school of choice)
• Local Scholarship Awards

June 

• Commencement!
• Start planning for college. Remember it is not as much where you go to college, as what you do when you get there.

1. Try not to do too much studying at one time.
2. Plan specific times for studying.
3. Try to study at the same times each day.
4. Set specific goals for studying.
5. Start studying when planned.
6. Work on the assignment that you find the most challenging first.
7. Review your notes before beginning an assignment.
8. Avoid social media distraction during study times.
9. Call another student when you have difficulty with an assignment.
10. Review your schoolwork over the weekend.