College

Join the Class of 2026 group message for information about college visits, leadership and community opportunities, and more:

• Text the message "@hhca2026" to the number 81010
   

9th Grade College/Future Planning (FALL):

• College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade.
• Activity Log: Get involved in a couple of clubs, sports or other extracurricular activities either at your school or in your local community. Keep track of your engagement over time on this simple spreadsheet.
• How do I learn best? Take this quick quiz, and get study tips based on your learning style.
• Challenge yourself academically: Take advantage of the course offerings, and don’t be afraid to ask about higher-level classes if you aren’t feeling challenged.
• How to study effectively: Improve your study skills and build new habits with this low-cost video course from Udemy.
• Be careful with your social media use: Any words or pictures you post are part of your permanent online record. If it’s something you wouldn’t want your grandparent to see, maybe don’t post it.

9th Grade College/Future Planning (SUMMER):

• Learning How to Learn + The Science of Well Being: These free Coursera courses will help you understand how your brain works and what you can do to optimize your productivity and happiness.
• 100 Brave/Interesting Questions + NYT Writing Prompts for Students: If you haven’t already, start keeping a journal and use some of these questions as inspiration.
• Clubs on Campus - Here is a list and description of most clubs on campus, but keep in mind it's a working document in progress.
• Four Year Course Planner - Make sure you stay on track for both high school and college requirements by filling out this planner each semester. Review the graduation requirements for each subject area and the different course levels offered. The more selective the college, the more they will want to see you go above and beyond the minimum requirements. 
• Feeling like you’re falling behind in a class?  Don’t be afraid to ask for help, and the sooner, the better. Check in with your teacher. Ask older students and/or peers if they might be open to tutoring. Form a study group.
• Big 5 Personality Assessment - Learn more about your strengths, challenges, and communication and learning style.
• Build healthy routines - Prioritize sleep, healthy food choices and exercise. Stronger physical health = stronger mental health, increased focus and better decision making skills.
• Values Exercise (video): What’s important to you? Spend some time thinking about your core values with this quick exercise.
• Time management: Finding it hard to balance your school work, extracurricular activities, and sleep? This worksheet can help assess whether you’re doing too much.
• Uplevel your study skills: This guide has tips to help you study smarter, not harder.

(Check back for new guides each season.)

Join the Class of 2025 group message for information about college visits, leadership and community opportunities, and more:

• Text the message "@hhca2025" to the number 81010

10th Grade College/Future Planning (FALL):

• College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade.
• Study schedule: If you don’t have a plan in place, now is a great time to create one. Use a paper or online tool like The Shovel Study Planner to stay organized and help manage your time.
• Sign up for the PSAT and/or PreACT if your school is offering them this year. These practice tests are a great way to get experience with the content and timing of standardized exams.
• Start exploring possible careers: There are so many possibilities out there. What sounds interesting to you? Start with your interests and see where your research takes you.

10th Grade College/Future Planning (SUMMER):

• Clubs on Campus - Here is a list and description of most clubs on campus, but keep in mind it's a working document in progress.
• Build an awesome summer reading list that includes some biographies and memoirs: Just Mercy by Bryan Stevenson is a must-read and can be found at your local library.
• 100 Brave/Interesting Questions + NYT Writing Prompts for Students: Commit to keeping a journal this summer, and use some of these questions as inspiration.

• 5 Ways to Spend Your High School Summer: Think about your summer in the context of how your choices can help you to lead a happier life (really!).

• 80 Extracurricular Activity Examples: Wondering what other students listed on their applications? These examples may inspire you.
• Activity Log: Remember to update your log so you don’t forget what you’ve done. And this is a great time to inventory your extracurricular activities. Where do you want to deepen your involvement? And what do you want to let go?
• YouScience Aptitudes Test - What are you good at? Take this online assessment in SCOIR that uses a combination of personality, interest, and aptitudes testing to help you explore careers that might be a good fit.
• Values Exercise (video): Use your priority values to guide your extracurricular choices. This is a great time to deepen your involvement in the clubs/teams/jobs that excite you— maybe take on a leadership role. Or sign up for a new club? Or start your own?
• Tips for Planning a College Visit: Make a commitment to visit one local college between now and the end of the school year. That experience can be a great reference point as you begin to figure out what you’re looking for in a school. And some schools offer incentive grants if you visit campus, either in person or virtually.
• Start thinking about financial fit: As you begin your college search, it’s important to think about cost. Experiment with the Net Price Calculator to get a rough estimate of what you might pay for college, and start the conversation with your parents or guardians.
   

• If you think you may play Division I or II sports in college:

  • Register for the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Clearinghouse.

  • Register for the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletes (NAIA) Eligibility Center.

  • Familiarize yourself with National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requirements. Then double-check that all of your courses are NCAA-approved. Not all high school classes count towards their requirements.

  • Let your high school counselor know you’re considering college athletics. 

(Check back for new guides each season.)

Join the Class of 2024 group message for information about college visits, leadership and community opportunities, and more:

• Text the message "@hhca2024" to the number 81010
   

• PSAT: National Merit Scholar Finalist cut off score

  11th Grade College Planning Timeline (FALL):

• College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade.
• The Shovel Study Planner: Get ready for a very busy fall with this simple, low-cost app for building an effective study plan and developing strong study skills.  
• Corsava: Check out this awesome resource that helps you figure out what you want (and don’t want) from your college experience.
• PSAT: Sign up to take the exam this fall, even if you took the test as a sophomore. Strong test scores as a junior may qualify you for academic honors, including National Merit as well as programs and recruitment for Black, Latinx, Indigenous, rural, first-generation and low-income students.
• Compass Guide to Admissions Testing: Start mapping out a standardized testing plan with the goal of taking the SAT or ACT at least once before the end of the school year.
• Connect with college admission reps: Sign up for a few sessions with college representatives when they visit your high school this fall. Also check their websites for information on virtual information sessions and local events.
• Clubs on Campus - Here is a list and description of most clubs on campus, but keep in mind it's a working document in progress.
• Learning How to Learn + The Science of Well Being: These free Coursera courses will help you understand how your brain works and what you can do to optimize your productivity and happiness.
• Explore colleges with 800+ lists: Curious about what colleges have to offer? Use this fun online, searchable database from CollegeXpress, which covers everything from academic environments to school spirit.
• Social media cleanup: This is a good time to clean up your social media profiles. If you have any questionable photos or language, delete them now before you start your college search in earnest.

• (Check back for new guides each season.)

Preview of upcoming items:

Schedule your junior meeting with Mrs. Robinson during Jan-Feb here.
Be sure your PSAT results, January transcript, and SCOIR YouScience assessment are complete and ready before your meeting!

Junior Spring - College Prep Top 10 List

Junior College Planning Meeting Presentation - 9/27/21
How to Write a College Resume

Join the Class of 2023 group message for information about college visits, leadership and community opportunities, and more:

• Text the message "@hhca2023" to the number 81010

Senior College Planning Night Presentation - 9/13/21

College Application Checklist

Senior Year Timeline (FALL):
This is a critical time for seniors. By this point, you should (we  hope) have a close-to-final college list and be working on your college applications.

• Letters of recommendation: This is a good time to check in with your recommenders to make sure they know your deadlines. And if you haven't already, read this guide and then ask your teacher(s) if they’ll write a letter on your behalf.
• College applications are live: Start familiarizing yourself with the information you need to gather. Some of the most popular applications include The Common Application, Coalition Application, University of California, Cal State University,  SUNY, and/or UCAS.
• How to Write a College Essay: Wondering how to get started on your college essays? This step-by-step guide and this video will walk you through the process.
• How to Decide Whether to Apply Early Decision or Early Action: Get answers to the most common questions and make sure you understand the limitations and the financial implications. ED/EA deadlines fall as early as October 15th.
• FAFSA + CSS PROFILE: These two forms are critical to your financial aid process. All schools require the FAFSA; the CSS PROFILE is only required by some schools and scholarships. Submission windows open on October 1st.
• Connect with college admission reps, either at your school, online or in your community. These sessions are important opportunities to let colleges know you’re considering attending their institution, which, in some cases, can help your chances.
• QuestBridge and Posse Foundation: See if you qualify for these great opportunities to win a full ride to college.
• Create a spreadsheet of requirements and deadlines: Keep track of application deadlines, number of required recommendation letters, scholarship deadlines, portfolio requirements, etc., all in one organized spot.

Senior Year Timeline (SUMMER):

• How to Create a College List (with tracking spreadsheet): Prepare to finalize your college list. Once you do, create a second spreadsheet with deadlines for applications, and scholarships, number of required recommendations, testing policies, etc.
• Things Students of Color Should Know When Applying to College: Listen to this solid advice spanning the college search, financial aid, and how to advocate for yourself in the process.
• Tips for Planning a College Visit: Make a plan to visit a couple schools based on your college research, if you’re able. If getting to the campuses isn’t possible, learn as much as you can online via virtual information sessions.
• Get organized and kick off your application process: Research the admission requirements and deadlines for schools on your list, and create a spreadsheet to organize information.  
• How to write a successful Common App Activities List/How to write a college resume: Learn more about these pieces of the application process.
• How to use the Common App Additional Information Section: Find out why this optional section can be one of the most important aspects of your application. And think about whether you want to answer the optional COVID related question.
• If you’ve excelled academically despite financial challenges, consider applying to QuestBridge or the Jack Kent Cooke Scholarship Program, and check in with your counselor on the Posse Foundation nomination process.
• Create a spreadsheet of all usernames and passwords: Keep important login information here for college applications, applicant portals, and scholarships.
• SAT Study Group: Consider starting a study group to prepare for your upcoming exams. Even if you’re applying to test-optional schools, you might want a test score for scholarship eligibility.

• Study tips in college (from MIT): You’ll soon be sitting in your first college class, so take the time to read up on some suggestions on time management, testing, and study skills.
• Get familiar with college lingo: College brings a ton of new vocabulary, so keep this glossary handy while you navigate registration, housing, and student services.
• The Shovel Study Planner: Get ready for college with this simple, low-cost app for building an effective study plan and developing strong study skills.