• Look for experiences/ opportunities to continue to explore career and college interests

• Discuss options with your family, and think about the pro's and con's of all post-secondary options

• Identify your the top schools you want to attend if planning for college

General Things 

• Attend GCISD College and Career Fair

• Connect with college representatives at the Go Center during your lunch

Summer Before Senior Year

• Begin early application process (most college Apps open in August)

• Research schools and options by going to their admissions pages

• Request information from potential schools

• Visit schools or sign up for summer programs or previews at schools

• Begin working on admissions essays (available in advance through ApplyTexas, CommonApp, school admissions page)

Early Fall

• Gather application information to the schools you are considering (note deadlines for admission, scholarships, financial aid, housing)

• If you haven't already, begin the college application process 

• Ask teachers or employers for letters of recommendation (get 2 even if your apps don't ask for them, scholarships will)

• Take the SAT/ACT in October and send your scores to the colleges you are applying to   

• Apply for Financial Aid beginning in October (FAFSA/TASFA) 

• If you are planning to attend TCC, go by the Go Center for more information about the TCC College Access Program

Mid-Fall

• Keep checking the Go Center website to stay up to date on the latest scholarships

• Apply for admission to colleges no later than December

• Apply for scholarships at the colleges you are applying to - this is usually where the larger scholarships come from

• Search for scholarships outside of the schools you are applying to (GCISD Scholarship Page) as well as state and national scholarships

• Submit transcripts through Parchment

• Complete the FAFSA/TASFA if you have not already

November/December

• Early Action is usually due by midnight on November 1

• Make sure you are meeting your college's priority scholarship/financial aid deadlines

• Submit all applications if you have not already

Spring

• Come to the Go Center to get information on local scholarships

• You need to have a decision made by May 1st

• Apply for housing

• Check your email and junk folder for emails from schools

• Plan college visits to top schools of interest

• Check the remaining deadlines for the schools you are still considering

When you Choose a School

• Apply for housing (if you haven't already done so)

• Send in your deposit

• Accept/decline financial aid 

• Make sure you have a list of deadlines and information for your chosen school

Summer Before College

• See an academic advisor at the university or college you will attend, then register early.

• Attend a summer orientation program.

• Work out a financial aid plan or budget for your freshmen year