Take the most challenging classes your school has to offer.

Enroll in dual credit courses and/or Advanced Placement classes.

Check on deadlines for college admissions and scholarships. Look into whether or not the colleges and universities you are applying to will waive the application fee.

Retake the ACT and/or SAT if necessary.

Complete the admissions applications and send in the necessary supporting documents – letters of recommendations, essays, high school transcripts, etc.

Meet with your counselor, make sure the classes you are taking are needed for high school graduation as well as college admission, go over your high school record and find out your GPA and class rank.

VisitFAFSA to get information on Federal Financial Aid. You will need your parents help with this process and will not be able to actually apply for financial aid until January of the year you will be graduating.

Revisit the campuses of the schools you’re seriously considering.

Wait for decision letters, compare the financial packages, and make your final decision on where you want to go to college.

Inform all colleges of your final decision.

After graduation, make sure your high school sends your final transcript to the college or university you plan to attend.