** SIGN UP on KUDOR for helpful information and tutorials and planning guides ** Make sure that you are spending time each year using the KUDOR program in order to develop the career plan of your choice. When logging on to the KUDOR career and educational planning program use the following Students/Parents:
Freshman *Get involved in extracurricular activities- clubs, volunteer, etc. *Start thinking about careers and take courses that will help you learn more about that career. *Save for College. AR Fund My Future- https://fundmyfuture.info/Home * Start using the choices360.com and real-life Arkansas to help you choose a career area.(see career page) * Learn about the ACT test, tips, and changes by attending free webinar-https://t.yesware.com/tt/832b38d25450a2a18df74dc9c9eb6d7980b515bd/42a63c0b73be4e7181aa750812d85874/a975ea9dcb194d6290e54e203d3a6ef5/events.genndi.com/register/169105139238452705/5192c6c8ff * Meet with your counselor to make your graduation plan * If wanting to Graduate early, make booking with Counselor as soon as possible! Sophomore *Start looking for summer camps/experiences that will support the career you think you want to have. *Tour a college/vocational campus' in your area, even if your not interested in it, to give you an idea of what you do want /what to look for in the college you are interested in. *If you do not have a SSN card, apply for one. You will need for college applications as well as any summer jobs. *Speak with counselor to make sure you are taking courses that challenge you. *Think about yourself- take aptitude tests and set goals on choice360.com ( see career page) and talk with friends/family about your goals to get their insight. *Save for College. AR Fund My Future- https://fundmyfuture.info/Home *Learn about the ACT test, tips, and changes by attending free webinar-https://t.yesware.com/tt/832b38d25450a2a18df74dc9c9eb6d7980b515bd/42a63c0b73be4e7181aa750812d85874/a975ea9dcb194d6290e54e203d3a6ef5/events.genndi.com/register/169105139238452705/5192c6c8ff * If wanting to Graduate early, make booking with Counselor as soon as possible to update your plan!
Junior Now - September 2nd *Apply for Early Graduation if interested. Link to apply: https://forms.gle/wp28FfWesHtU85R56 This application will close 2 weeks after enrollment.
September-October *Meet with your counselor to make sure you are taking the courses the college/vocational program of your choice looks for. *Resolve to get better grades- the payoff will be more colleges to choose from and better chances for scholarship money. *Take practice tests for ACT and ASVAB if your looking at the military. (see college and career pages) *Stay/get involved in extracurricular activities, especially if you have any that directly relate to your career interests. *Watch for local college/vocational program nights from high school and colleges and career fairs *Narrow your list of colleges/vocational programs from your list last year that offer the degree/certification you want to actually apply for.
November-December *Begin researching scholarships and colleges- see links on our site * Learn about the ACT test, tips, and changes by attending free webinar-https://t.yesware.com/tt/832b38d25450a2a18df74dc9c9eb6d7980b515bd/42a63c0b73be4e7181aa750812d85874/a975ea9dcb194d6290e54e203d3a6ef5/events.genndi.com/register/169105139238452705/5192c6c8ff *If majoring in the Arts- see teachers about any portfolio requirements or auditions that you may have. *Review ACT score report and retake if composite is not a 19. A composite score of 19 is an college min.entry level as well as the min score needed to apply for the Arkansas Academic Challenge scholarship. *Spend time over holidays deciding what type of college you would like to attend ( size ,location, degree/certification, cost, etc) * Make a list of colleges/programs that you would like to apply to * If haven't yet taken the ACT, go online and sign up to take the ACT.
January-February *If English is not your primary language, decide when to take the TOEFL test at chosen college * Start thinking about what you want to study- use resources such as College Board Book of Majors, Choices 360 program, etc. * Make sure you get registered with ARCA for free ACT Feb 25. 2020. Check to do box or in Data View under state registration.
March-April * If wanting to take concurrent college courses next year, you must have a qualifying ACT or Accuplacer score, so be looking at taking the ACT or Accuplacer over summer. There will be information sent out through webmail with directions, forms, testings in May each year. Make sure to meet with your counselor to update your plan! Senior Now - September 2nd *Apply for Early Graduation if interested. Link to apply: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSek7LWs70e5O2Mm5un1GlSrdDezoUeGDGDqgubbRU9aZtJ12w/viewform *Application for 2023-24 Early Graduation will close two weeks after enrollment.
September-October *If you want to play a NCAA Division I or II sport in college register with the NCAA Eligibility Center ( www.ncaa.org) *Campus Visits- call the admissions office of the campus you wish to tour and get signed up for their college preview day. *Begin working on your College/Vocation application essays, find out what the application deadline is, fees, requirements needed to apply. *Write a resume- use the choices360.com and/or online resume templates to help you list your accomplishments, activities, and work experiences for applications ( college or workforce). *If you are applying to a visual or performing arts program work on your portfolio or audition pieces. *Sign up for the ACT at ACT.org. Pay attention to the sign up deadlines ( usually a full month before the test is given), when the scores will be in for you to use with college applications. You may take the ACT up to 7 times, the higher your score the better your chances are for receiving college scholarships. *Tip: answer all the questions, even if you have to guess as unanswered questions will be marked as wrong and count against you anyway. *Meet with your counselor to update your plan and make sure you are scheduled in the correct courses needed for graduation.
November-December *Make a list of the college features that are important to you. Make copies of any applications you fill out. *Concentrate on grades to have the best GPA that you can * If you haven't yet taken the ACT, go online and sign up to take in Jan. If you have taken and are wanting to re-take look over scores to find weak areas. Make sure to have your scores sent to the school of your choice when signing up. * Learn about the ACT test, tips, and changes by attending free webinar-https://t.yesware.com/tt/832b38d25450a2a18df74dc9c9eb6d7980b515bd/42a63c0b73be4e7181aa750812d85874/a975ea9dcb194d6290e54e203d3a6ef5/events.genndi.com/register/169105139238452705/5192c6c8ff * Start gathering information needed to finish the FASFA . use the choices360 or other links to the FASFA for needed information. When starting the FASFA application you can stop at any point you don't have the information and pick back up when you do have the information as it saves all information entered. *Contact Financial aid office at the colleges on your list to see if they require any other financial aid forms. * Find out open and closing dates for scholarships and Apply for them! * Cap and Gown link will be here when it becomes available
January-February * If you are sending in College Applications and need a transcript, go to our forms page and fill out the records release form and follow directions given on emailing it in. * Get PINS for the FASA form completed for both you and one of your parents from www.pin.ed.gov. Fill out the FASFA as soon as you can. * Submit other financial aid forms that may be required. KEEP COPIES. * If you have new honors or accomplishments that were not in your original application, let that college know. * Contact your colleges to confirm that all application materials have been received. * If any special circumstances affect your family's financial situation, alert each college's financial office. * Register for any AP exams in any current courses that you want to take ( NOT required!!)
March- April * Keep working to have the best grades possible * If you will be graduating this year and have not turned in your graduation form, please do so now. *Refer to graduation FAQ sheet for graduation questions * If going to college or technical school apply for the Arkansas academic challenge or the AR future grant.
10 TIPS for CHOOSING A COLLEGE or VOCATIONAL PROGRAM 1. Determine what kind of college you want to attend. 2.Decide how far from home you are willing to travel. 3.Have an honest discussion with your parents. 4. Consider your academic and extra-curricular interests. 5.Research, Research, Research! 6. Request additional information on chosen degree/vocation 7. Schedule campus visits and interviews. 8.Be prepared for your visit and/or interviews. 9.Know the deadlines for admission, financial aid, and scholarships. 10.Review your admissions offers and choose the college you feel fits you best.