Planning Ahead for the Future
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YISD Students: Start planning ahead for your Future to ensure you are well prepared and have taken advantage of all resources available.
Use the College Board's Big Future website to help you with decisions about college including creating a Road Map for a college plan specific to each student.
Big Future - Create Your Road Map: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/
Khan Academy – to get test practice: https://www.khanacademy.org/
TIP: create a personal email account (such as gmail, yahoo, etc.) to use for all college business as your YISD email will be inactivated once you graduate from high school.
Use the YISD College and Career Readiness Toolkit below to help you prepare for the future:
College Career & Military Readiness Toolkit
QUESTIONS:
Visit with your school Counselor and/or Go Center Specialist.
YISD College Career & Military Readiness Toolkit
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6th & 7th Grade Checklist
Fall semester checklist:
□ List the clubs, organizations, and service projects you might like to join.
- Request a list of organizations and programs offered on campus from school Counselor.
□ Visit the YISD Scholarships page to see scholarships available for each month.
□ Talk with friends and family about your career interests.
□ Learn about advanced courses that prepare you for high school and college.
□ Ask your Counselor about ways to earn high school credit starting in 8th grade.
□ Register for REMIND to receive important college/scholarship information.
- Download app https://www.remind.com/
Spring semester checklist:
□ Write an essay about your plans after high school.
- May be assigned as class project.
□ Join a community service project and use the opportunity to explore new careers and build your future resume.
- Use resources on campus and around your community to find opportunities to serve your community.
□ Talk to older friends, siblings, or cousins who are already in college about their experiences.
□ Start learning about the different endorsements and pathways offered at your high school.
- Counselors and College Prep Teachers can provide you with this information.
- Texas Education Agency (TEA) Career Investigations website:
- https://www.txcte.org/course-binder/investigating-careers
□ Take advantage of opportunities to learn about high school and college credits.
- Refer to your Counselor for this information.
□ Learn why cyber safety is so important, and think carefully about what you post online through social media.
- Go to the Librarian or Technology Teacher to take Digital Citizenship classes.
□ Visit the YISD Scholarships page to see scholarships available for each month.
□ Visit your future Go Center Specialist at the high school to learn more about how to get ready for college!
- Get their contact information at:
Go Center Specialists -
8th Grade Checklist
Fall semester checklist:
□ Visit the YISD Scholarships page to see scholarships available for each month.
□ Need help figuring out which career is best for you? The website below will help:
□ Talk to older friends, siblings, or cousins who are already in college about their experiences.
- You can also include teachers, coaches and your school counselors.
□ Continue learning about endorsements so you’re able to select the best one for you before high school.
- Get information from school counselors.
□ Join a community service project and use the opportunity to explore new careers and build your future resume.
- Use resources on campus and in your community to find opportunities.
□ Study college websites and take virtual tours.
□ Talk to your counselor about creating a four-year plan for graduation and select your endorsement.
- Plan to attend HB5 Night
□ Practice the PSAT on Khan Academy.
□ Visit the YISD Scholarships page to see scholarships available for each month.
Spring semester checklist:
□ Take a learning-styles inventory to see how you learn best, and work to improve your weaknesses.
- http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles.shtml
□ Ask your counselor about advanced courses you can take in 9th grade.
□ Find ways to show (and grow) your leadership skills.
□ List the clubs, organizations, and service projects you might like to join in 9th grade
□ Understand that from here on out your class rank, GPA, and course selections will determine what college you will attend.
□ Review the must-know rules of cyber safety, and be aware of the online image you’re creating when you interact through social media.
- Go to Librarian or Technology Teacher to take Digital Citizenship classes.
□ Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) to be implemented at all nine YISD middle schools for current eighth-graders, or the Class of 2024. For more information, contact Ms. Juliette Caire, GEAR UP Program Director at (915) 747-5367.
□ Register for Raise.Me to earn scholarships and explore college/universities nationwide.
□ Texas Reality Check – compare earnings to living expenses
- https://texasrealitycheck.com/
□ Xello is an engaging, online program that helps students transform their aspirations into personalized, actionable plans for academic and career success. Equip your students with the tools to be future ready.
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9th & 10th Grade Checklist
Fall semester checklist:
□ Visit the YISD Scholarships page to see scholarships available for each month.
□ Coalition for College - http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/
□ MyCoalition is a set of free, online college planning tools that helps students learn about, prepare for, and apply to college.
- The Locker – private, unlimited space where you can upload important items, such as papers, videos, photos, etc. As a record of your high school experience and foundation of your college application(s)
- Collaboration Space – connect with teachers, counselors, coaches, mentors or parents for advice
- Application – apply to 130-plus member schools and submit Locker documents as part of your college application
□ Talk to people with interesting jobs and ask lots of questions!
□ Get active in extra-curricular activities and volunteer for community service projects.
□ Register for REMIND to receive important college/scholarship information.
- Download app https://www.remind.com/
□ Study hard and do well in school - from now on your grades will count toward college! IMPORTANT - your junior year transcript will be used for college applications, you have 3 years to get your goal GPA to get into your dream college!
□ Take the TSI. The TSI Assessment (TSIA) is part of the Texas Success Initiative program designed to help your college or university determine if you are ready for college-level course work in the areas of reading, writing, and mathematics. If you are an incoming college student in Texas, you are required to take the TSI Assessment - unless you are already exempt (read below) - to determine your readiness for college-level work. Based on how you perform, you may either be enrolled in a college-level course and/or be placed in the appropriate developmental course or intervention to improve your skills and prepare you for success in college-level courses.
- http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/index.cfm?objectid=63176344-FFFA-217B-60C9A0E86629B3CA
□ To get practice before taking the TSI exam, go to the El Paso Community College website for pre-testing resources:
- Go to the Resources section: https://www.epcc.edu/Services/PREP
Spring semester checklist:
□ Visit the YISD Scholarships page to see scholarships available for each month.
□ Go to O*NET Online for career exploration and career analysis https://www.onetonline.org/
□ Update your profile EVERY SEMESTER - activities and/or community service projects, including accomplishments and awards on Raise.Me.
□ Talk to your high school counselor and Go Center Specialist about creating a college plan.
- Big Future - Create Your Road Map: https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/make-a-plan
□ Consider registering for College and Career Readiness class for sophomore year. It's a one semester elective covering PSAT/SAT test prep, college research & career exploration.
- Talk to your Counselor or Go Center Specialist to get this information and discuss goals.
□ Start planning extra-curricular activities for the next year of school.
□ Practice the PSAT on Khan Academy and plan to take the test. It’s the key to several scholarships.
□ Practice for the SAT on Khan Academy or for ACT on ACT Academy.
- https://www.khanacademy.org/sat and https://academy.act.org/
□ Take part in summer enrichment programs and special workshops that focus on a particular subject. Check with UTEP and EPCC.
- https://pace.utep.edu/wconnect/SubGroup.awp?Group=P3K&Title=P3+Kidz+on+Campus
- https://www.epcc.edu/Academics/ContinuingEducation/childrens-college
□ Run for a leadership role for 11th grade in a club or organization.
□ Request letters of recommendation from your best classes/teachers after each year.
Summer checklist:
□ Explore summer jobs, internships or volunteer positions that will help you learn more about your field of interest.
□ Create a resume of your extracurricular activities, awards and volunteer service hours.
□ Consider visiting local colleges or research them online.
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11th Grade Checklist
Fall semester checklist:
□ Visit the YISD Scholarships page to see scholarships available for each month.
□ Coalition for College - http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/
□ MyCoalition is a set of free, online college planning tools that helps students learn about, prepare for, and apply to college.
- The Locker – private, unlimited space where you can upload important items, such as papers, videos, photos, etc. As a record of your high school experience and foundation of your college application(s)
- Collaboration Space – connect with teachers, counselors, coaches, mentors or parents for advice
- Application – apply to 130-plus member schools and submit Locker documents as part of your college application
□ Check your class ranking to see where you stand before you start applying for colleges. Ask the Registrar for a copy of your transcript.
□ Attend college presentations.
□ Grades are one of your top priorities this year, Junior year transcript will be used for college applications
□ Continue to visit your campus GO Center. Surf the web to learn more about various colleges and careers.
□ Attend college and financial aid nights on your campus, college fairs and other informative events.
- Ask your Go Center Specialist for dates
□ Take the SAT and ACT test your junior year. Try to shoot for best score this year!
- https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat and http://www.act.org/
□ Practice for the SAT on Khan Academy or for ACT on ACT Academy.
- https://www.khanacademy.org/sat and https://academy.act.org/
□ Discuss where you want to go to college with your parents.
□ List ten schools you would like to attend and request more information on admission applications, scholarships and financial aid.
Spring semester checklist:
□ Visit the YISD Scholarships page to see scholarships available for each month.
-Available Scholarships□ List ten schools you would like to attend and request more information on admission applications, scholarships and financial aid.
□ Check REMIND to receive important college/scholarship information.
□ To research career exploration, training & jobs go to Career One Stop
□ Expand your extra-curricular activities.
□ Update your resume of all activities and accomplishments.
□ Take the SAT and ACT test your junior year. Try to shoot for best score this year!
- https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat and http://www.act.org/
□ Practice for the SAT on Khan Academy or for ACT on ACT Academy.
- https://www.khanacademy.org/sat and https://academy.act.org/
□ Figure out the college path that will lead you to your desired career.
□ Clean up your social media to present a college/career-friendly image online.
□ Make sure your high school counselor and Go Center Specialist know what you're looking for in a college so he/she can help you choose the best one for you.
□ Look for a chance to build your leadership skills.
□ College Essay Practice
- https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sample-questions/essay
□ Join a community service project and use the opportunity to explore possible careers.
□ Visit with your Counselor to check your graduation plan and make sure you are on track and to select the right courses for Senior year.
□ Request letters of recommendation from your best classes/teachers after each year.
□ Update your record of activities and/or community service projects, including accomplishments and awards on Raise.Me
Summer semester checklist:
□ Look for work or internships in fields that interest you.
□ Brush up on your notetaking, presentation, test taking, writing and interview skills online.
□ Re-visit your career choice on the website below:
□ Learn the different types of financial aid.
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-Vylr2P120&feature=youtu.be
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Senior Year Checklist
Fall semester checklist:
□ Visit the YISD Scholarships page to see scholarships available for each month.
□ Coalition for College - http://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/
□ MyCoalition is a set of free, online college planning tools that helps students learn about, prepare for, and apply to college.
- The Locker – private, unlimited space where you can upload important items, such as papers, videos, photos, etc. As a record of your high school experience and foundation of your college application(s)
- Collaboration Space – connect with teachers, counselors, coaches, mentors or parents for advice
- Application – apply to 130-plus member schools and submit Locker documents as part of your college application
□ Review your class schedule with your counselor to ensure you have met all college-preparatory requirements.
□ Take the SAT or ACT tests again in September or October.
- https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat and http://www.act.org/
□ Finalize your college & scholarship application essays.
□ Visit Counselor for advice on Military Service and to take ASVAB.
□ Attend college presentations.
□ Establish your game plan for submitting applications, consider local schools such as UTEP and EPCC to have enough options to choose from.
□ Begin the college application process in September.
□ Apply to minimum of 3 schools to receive more options and have more choices.
- For public schools within the state of Texas apply at: https://www.applytexas.org/adappc/gen/c_start.WBX
- To apply for schools outside of Texas apply at: https://www.commonapp.org/
- Apply directly to the college/university you are interested in.
□ Be sure to submit any fees or fee waivers for the admissions applications that you submit.
□ Visit the YISD Scholarships page to see scholarships available for each month.
□ Send in your transcript and test scores to the colleges you applied to.
□ Take on a leadership role in a club or organization.
□ Continue to visit your campus GO Center. Surf the web to learn more about various colleges and careers.
□ Visit your GO Center weekly to find out about scholarship opportunities. Fill out every application possible.
□ Attend college fairs and other informative events.
□ Update your record of activities and/or community service projects, including accomplishments and awards on Raise.Me
□ By October 1st, obtain your FSA ID for you and your parents. After October 1st submit the Free Application for Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) to the schools you are applying to.
- https://fsaid.ed.gov/npas/index.htm and https://studentaid.ed.gov/sa/fafsa
□ Download the FAFSA app (myStudentAid) on your phone and submit your FAFSA to get updates on the status.
□ If you do not have a social security number, you can apply for the Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) from the State of Texas.
- http://www.collegeforalltexans.com/index.cfm?objectid=A3119543-CBF8-C202-F1B0EEFD5F4B9805
□ If selected for verification, follow up with your institution for instructions on what documents are needed to resolve your financial aid application.
□ Study for SAT/ACT retakes.
- https://www.khanacademy.org/sat and https://academy.act.org/
□ Follow-up to verify that the college or university received your materials/transcript.
- Should be done no later than November 30th
□ Update your resume of all activities and accomplishments.
□ Apply for Fly In Programs to visit colleges
- https://blog.collegevine.com/college-fly-in-and-diversity-programs-a-complete-list/
□ Take note of college deadlines for admissions, scholarships, housing and financial aid.
□ Request letters of recommendation from your best classes/teachers after each semester.
Spring semester checklist:
□ Visit the YISD Scholarships page to see scholarships available for each month.
□ Take your college admission, scholarship and financial aid letters to your GO Center.
□ Check REMIND to receive important college/scholarship information.
□ Decide which college offer you will accept and get familiar with your college and what you will need when you get there.
