top of page

For Incoming or Current Freshman

Freshman year is all about transitioning from middle school and exploring all of the possibilities for your future. Use these checklists to stay on track to go to a 4-year university.

 

If you feel alone in paving your path to college, know that you are not and there are programs and different communities that are here to support you.

​

​

​

Important Reminders: 

  • Remember that a  grade of C or better is required for each core-course (math, English, science, history). If you receive an F in English 1, for example, you must retake this course for a C or better otherwise you will not be eligible for admission to most 4-year universities.

  • There are programs designed to support 9th grade students who are low-income and/or first in their family to go to college and/or identify as Black, Indigenous, person of color.

​

Resources for 9th Grade Students and Parents: 

Student's Checklist:

  1. Meet with your school counselor as soon as you can. Start building a relationship and discuss advanced courses (AP classes)*, academies**, classes at community college*, and tracks that are available to you.

  2. Create a 4-year coursework plan*** for high school classes**** (especially if you are interested in a particular subject or field)

  3. Explore all interests through extracurriculars. Colleges want to see that you have dedicated a significant amount of time to doing something that you love: Get involved in your community and volunteer. Explore your career interests. Participate in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, or science.

  4. Remember that family responsibilities are “extracurricular activities!” Helping your family by taking care of a family member or working to help cover household expenses is important. You are being more than productive with your time and colleges will see that. 

  5. Start a list of your awards, honors, paid and volunteer work, and extracurricular activities. Update it throughout high school. [You will need this later!]

  6. Start planning out how to pay for college****** 

  7. Make the most of every summer: students have options.  (Note that, from an admissions standpoint, colleges generally like seeing a story arc, with summers, and school year, building on one another.)

Parent's Checklist:

  1. If the process to go to college is unfamiliar to you, know that there are programs that can help guide your child to go to college. 

  2. Talk to your child about college plans as if they will definitely go to college.

  3. Keep an eye on your child’s study habits and grades—stay involved.

  4. Encourage your child to take Advanced Placement or other challenging classes.

  5. Address your concerns about whether your child can or should go to college.

  6. Use the College Scorecard to instantly compare expenses and projected loan payments across schools that your child is interested in attending.

  7. Optional: Read “Parent Power” to access ideas for remaining involved in your child’s progress.

Information collected for these checklists based on ChangeMakers' experiences and information from the U.S. department of education, Questbridge, Piedmont High School, and College Essay Guy. 

Reach out on Instagram @WCCUSD_CHANGEMAKERS
Or through Email: ec.changemakers@gmail.com.

Do you have anything to add to our lists? 

bottom of page