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8 days ago

Coconino High School

An IB World School

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  1. Families
  2. School Counseling
  3. College Planning

College Planning

College Planning Timelines

  • Help your student explore career options. Do they know what interests them? There are different interest inventory tests on Major Clarity and online that they can try doing.
  • Start exploring different types of colleges, universities, community colleges, and trade schools. Look at the different requirements for admission.
  • Requirements for FUSD High School graduations are slightly different than requirements for College/University Admissions, especially if you are looking at out of state schools.
  • Your child will be using Major Clarity, which is a web-based program, for the next 4 years. Through the use of ECAP lessons with the counseling department, your student will use this program to explore different careers and opportunities. Please feel free to log in and see what your student is doing or ask them what they are learning.
  • Find out about AP/IB/DE courses and start exploring different extracurricular activities: Clubs and Sports. Freshman year is time for your student to explore and find their passion!
  • Create a file of the following documents: Report cards, lists of awards and honors, school and community activities, and volunteer work. This will be helpful down the road when you start filling out applications and scholarships.
  • Help your child become independent with increased responsibility. They are going to be on their own in 4 short years!
  • By the end of this year, your student should have at least 6 credits. If not please contact your student’s counselor to talk about options.
  • Colleges look for well-rounded students. If your child has room in their daily schedule, encourage them to help build their college portfolio by considering a part-time job, volunteer work, academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps.
  • Start helping your child consider taking tests to prepare them for the ACT and SAT. The PSAT is the fall of your student’s sophomore year, is a great way to prepare for the SAT.
    Explore financial aid options with your student. Start becoming familiar with terms like FAFSA, scholarships, and grants.
  • Is your student ready for AP/IB or other honor-level courses? Have they joined a sport or an extracurricular activity? Time to seriously consider these options for your junior year if you haven’t already.
  • At the end of the sophomore year, take a look at your student’s transcripts, and see if your student is on track to pursue the path they wish. Summer is a great time to work on any grade replacement and that needs to happen from the first two years.
  • Colleges put a lot of weight on your student’s GPA. If your child has a grade point average under 3.0 at the end of their sophomore year, please talk to a counselor about ways to increase it.
  • Continue this year by making a list of all the different possibilities of post-secondary options.
    Continue to keep a file of any awards, certificates, report cards, volunteering, and community service.
  • By the end of this year, your student should have at least 12 credits. If not, please contact your student’s counselor to talk about options.

  • Help, Encourage, and support your child in the timeline below…Junior Year can be stressful!

     

  • August

    • Obtain schedule and forms for the SAT, SAT Subject Test, ACT, and AP Exams on the appropriate websites: ACT Website and College Board Website
    • Fee Waivers are available in the counseling office. A student qualifies for a fee waiver by being enrolled in the FUSD Free and Reduced Lunch Program.

     

  • September

    • Register for the PSAT exam offered in October. Taking the PSAT as a junior is the only way to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. 

     

  • October

    • Take the PSAT
    • Start making a list of different colleges that appeal to your student. Major Clarity has a great college search engine, where you can look at different colleges, majors, etc.

     

  •  November

    • Start looking at scheduling tours and admission interviews at different colleges of interest. This could take the rest of the year.

     

  •  December

    • Look for classes to take during Senior year, that will provide your student with a strong transcript.
    • Have your student start considering looking for a summer job or internship.

     

  •  March

    • Start preparing for the ACT and AP exams. Take practice tests.

     

  •  April

    • All Juniors will be taking the ACT this month. This test is free.
    • Have your student start thinking about who they will be asking to write them letters of recommendation for applications and scholarships next year.

     

  •  Summer

    • By the end of this year, your student should have at least 18 credits.
    • Add any new report cards, test scores, honors, and awards from this past year to the file.
    • Help your child prepare for application essays. You can explore college essay topics online.
    • Review application procedures for the colleges your student is looking at applying to.

  • Remember, your student will be on their own soon; the more you allow them to complete these tasks independently, the better prepared they will be for life on their own.

     

  • August

    • Have your student make sure that their Major Clarity account has the most up to date email address that they check regularly. This is the best way the CHS counseling Department has to get information to your students.  We send emails all year long about scholarships, college reps that are visiting our school, financial opportunities, etc.

     

  •  September

    • Make sure your student’s transcript has the required credits to get into the schools of their interests.
    • Find out if official transcripts need to be sent to their colleges of choice. Students can request to have official transcripts send through their Major Clarity Account.
    • Take a look at the ACT and SAT testing schedule for the year. Then have your student register and take it, if they need to try and improve their score.  ACT Website and College Board Website
    • Start filling out a Letter of Recommendation worksheet/resume to give to those who your student has chosen to write letters of recommendations.

     

  •  October

    • Make a final list of schools that interest your student and have them keep a file with all the deadlines and required admission items for each school.
    • Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to the college/universities that have made your child’s final list.
    • Have your student get started on any essays that are included with your child’s applications.
    • Students should contact any adults that they would like to write recommendations and give them deadlines and their resume.

     

  •  November

    • Have your student begin submitting their admission applications.
    • Start spending time on the scholarship search engines. (See resource tab)
    • There is also Major Clarity Financial Resources. Here we list local scholarships.
    • Your student should be receiving emails through StudentVue about the different scholarships that are coming up.
    • Your student should be working on any scholarship applications and submitting them according to deadlines. 

     

  • December

    • FAFSA opens! Begin filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Even if you don’t think you qualify, you will need to fill it out.  Many scholarships require a FAFSA to be filled out before even being able to apply for their scholarships
    • Your student should make sure their official test scores are being sent to the colleges they are applying to.
    • Your student should put in requests, through Major Clarity, for any school requesting a mid-year transcript.

     

  • January

    • Continue working on FAFSA/submit
    • Make sure transcripts have been requested and set to ALL colleges/universities your student is applying to.
    • Contact the admission office of the colleges that your student has applied to to make sure that they have received and have everything that they need.
    • If your child doesn’t already have a computer, help your student investigate being able to purchase one for college.

     

  •  February

    • Encourage your student to complete scholarship applications.
    • Contact financial aid offices of the applied colleges to make sure your student’s information has been received and they are not missing anything.

     

  •  March/April

    • Your student will probably have heard from the colleges/university as to whether or not they have been accepted by April 15th.
    • Compare acceptance letters, financial aid packages and scholarship offers and MAKE THE DECISION!

     

  •  May

    • Take any AP exams for any AP subjects that your student studied this year. If your student scores 3-5, this could potentially clep your student out of classes in the college/university
    • Make sure your student declines any colleges/university that they choose not to attend.

     

  •  Summer

    • Your student should have requested a final transcript to be sent to their school of choice, through Major Clarity and the Senior Exit Survey. If they have not, have them get on their Major Clarity account and do so.
    • Contact your student’s college to determine when fees for tuition, room, and board are due, and how much they will cost.
    • Help your student participate in any summer orientation programs for incoming first-year students.
    • You and your student did it! Relax and enjoy the rest of the summer together!

    • Help your student explore career options. Do they know what interests them? There are different interest inventory tests on Major Clarity and online that they can try doing.
    • Start exploring different types of colleges, universities, community colleges, and trade schools. Look at the different requirements for admission.
    • Requirements for FUSD High School graduations are slightly different than requirements for College/University Admissions, especially if you are looking at out of state schools.
    • Your child will be using Major Clarity, which is a web-based program, for the next 4 years. Through the use of ECAP lessons with the counseling department, your student will use this program to explore different careers and opportunities. Please feel free to log in and see what your student is doing or ask them what they are learning.
    • Find out about AP/IB/DE courses and start exploring different extracurricular activities: Clubs and Sports. Freshman year is time for your student to explore and find their passion!
    • Create a file of the following documents: Report cards, lists of awards and honors, school and community activities, and volunteer work. This will be helpful down the road when you start filling out applications and scholarships.
    • Help your child become independent with increased responsibility. They are going to be on their own in 4 short years!
    • By the end of this year, your student should have at least 6 credits. If not please contact your student’s counselor to talk about options.

    • Colleges look for well-rounded students. If your child has room in their daily schedule, encourage them to help build their college portfolio by considering a part-time job, volunteer work, academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps.
    • Start helping your child consider taking tests to prepare them for the ACT and SAT. The PSAT is the fall of your student’s sophomore year, is a great way to prepare for the SAT.
      Explore financial aid options with your student. Start becoming familiar with terms like FAFSA, scholarships, and grants.
    • Is your student ready for AP/IB or other honor-level courses? Have they joined a sport or an extracurricular activity? Time to seriously consider these options for your junior year if you haven’t already.
    • At the end of the sophomore year, take a look at your student’s transcripts, and see if your student is on track to pursue the path they wish. Summer is a great time to work on any grade replacement and that needs to happen from the first two years.
    • Colleges put a lot of weight on your student’s GPA. If your child has a grade point average under 3.0 at the end of their sophomore year, please talk to a counselor about ways to increase it.
    • Continue this year by making a list of all the different possibilities of post-secondary options.
      Continue to keep a file of any awards, certificates, report cards, volunteering, and community service.
    • By the end of this year, your student should have at least 12 credits. If not, please contact your student’s counselor to talk about options.

    • Help, Encourage, and support your child in the timeline below…Junior Year can be stressful!

       

    • August

      • Obtain schedule and forms for the SAT, SAT Subject Test, ACT, and AP Exams on the appropriate websites: ACT Website and College Board Website
      • Fee Waivers are available in the counseling office. A student qualifies for a fee waiver by being enrolled in the FUSD Free and Reduced Lunch Program.

       

    • September

      • Register for the PSAT exam offered in October. Taking the PSAT as a junior is the only way to qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program. 

       

    • October

      • Take the PSAT
      • Start making a list of different colleges that appeal to your student. Major Clarity has a great college search engine, where you can look at different colleges, majors, etc.

       

    •  November

      • Start looking at scheduling tours and admission interviews at different colleges of interest. This could take the rest of the year.

       

    •  December

      • Look for classes to take during Senior year, that will provide your student with a strong transcript.
      • Have your student start considering looking for a summer job or internship.

       

    •  March

      • Start preparing for the ACT and AP exams. Take practice tests.

       

    •  April

      • All Juniors will be taking the ACT this month. This test is free.
      • Have your student start thinking about who they will be asking to write them letters of recommendation for applications and scholarships next year.

       

    •  Summer

      • By the end of this year, your student should have at least 18 credits.
      • Add any new report cards, test scores, honors, and awards from this past year to the file.
      • Help your child prepare for application essays. You can explore college essay topics online.
      • Review application procedures for the colleges your student is looking at applying to.

    • Remember, your student will be on their own soon; the more you allow them to complete these tasks independently, the better prepared they will be for life on their own.

       

    • August

      • Have your student make sure that their Major Clarity account has the most up to date email address that they check regularly. This is the best way the CHS counseling Department has to get information to your students.  We send emails all year long about scholarships, college reps that are visiting our school, financial opportunities, etc.

       

    •  September

      • Make sure your student’s transcript has the required credits to get into the schools of their interests.
      • Find out if official transcripts need to be sent to their colleges of choice. Students can request to have official transcripts send through their Major Clarity Account.
      • Take a look at the ACT and SAT testing schedule for the year. Then have your student register and take it, if they need to try and improve their score.  ACT Website and College Board Website
      • Start filling out a Letter of Recommendation worksheet/resume to give to those who your student has chosen to write letters of recommendations.

       

    •  October

      • Make a final list of schools that interest your student and have them keep a file with all the deadlines and required admission items for each school.
      • Have official test scores sent by the testing agency to the college/universities that have made your child’s final list.
      • Have your student get started on any essays that are included with your child’s applications.
      • Students should contact any adults that they would like to write recommendations and give them deadlines and their resume.

       

    •  November

      • Have your student begin submitting their admission applications.
      • Start spending time on the scholarship search engines. (See resource tab)
      • There is also Major Clarity Financial Resources. Here we list local scholarships.
      • Your student should be receiving emails through StudentVue about the different scholarships that are coming up.
      • Your student should be working on any scholarship applications and submitting them according to deadlines. 

       

    • December

      • FAFSA opens! Begin filling out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). Even if you don’t think you qualify, you will need to fill it out.  Many scholarships require a FAFSA to be filled out before even being able to apply for their scholarships
      • Your student should make sure their official test scores are being sent to the colleges they are applying to.
      • Your student should put in requests, through Major Clarity, for any school requesting a mid-year transcript.

       

    • January

      • Continue working on FAFSA/submit
      • Make sure transcripts have been requested and set to ALL colleges/universities your student is applying to.
      • Contact the admission office of the colleges that your student has applied to to make sure that they have received and have everything that they need.
      • If your child doesn’t already have a computer, help your student investigate being able to purchase one for college.

       

    •  February

      • Encourage your student to complete scholarship applications.
      • Contact financial aid offices of the applied colleges to make sure your student’s information has been received and they are not missing anything.

       

    •  March/April

      • Your student will probably have heard from the colleges/university as to whether or not they have been accepted by April 15th.
      • Compare acceptance letters, financial aid packages and scholarship offers and MAKE THE DECISION!

       

    •  May

      • Take any AP exams for any AP subjects that your student studied this year. If your student scores 3-5, this could potentially clep your student out of classes in the college/university
      • Make sure your student declines any colleges/university that they choose not to attend.

       

    •  Summer

      • Your student should have requested a final transcript to be sent to their school of choice, through Major Clarity and the Senior Exit Survey. If they have not, have them get on their Major Clarity account and do so.
      • Contact your student’s college to determine when fees for tuition, room, and board are due, and how much they will cost.
      • Help your student participate in any summer orientation programs for incoming first-year students.
      • You and your student did it! Relax and enjoy the rest of the summer together!

Paying for College

Beginning your financial aid search

(Please click on the bold words for a quick link to the websites)

FAFSA - Getting financial aid and scholarships require that you complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You should complete your FAFSA early in your application process. Once you have completed your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). This report shows the amount of money that you and your family are expected to contribute towards your first year of college. This is called your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Families and students will need to fill out the FAFSA each year the student attends a post-secondary school. The figure is used by educational institutions and scholarship funds to determine financial need.

FSA ID - both student and parent will need to create an FSA ID before starting the FAFSA. Please make sure that you keep this information in a safe place, as you will need to refer to it in the next few years.

Ask Benji - This is a new digital assistant to help students and families complete the FAFSA. You may download the app on your phone, and then while completing the FAFSA, if you have a question or don't understand something, you can ask Benji! He will immediately have the answer for you!

Most scholarships require that you write a composition (usually about 350 words) which can include any or all of the following: your high school activities, leadership positions, community activities, educational goals, career goals, financial need, work experience, and any special considerations. Put plenty of effort into this statement because it needs to make you stand out among your peers. Make sure that your spelling and grammar are correct and that you have proofread your statement. 

Teacher/Counselor/Community recommendations - Some scholarships will ask that you provide a letter of recommendation by a teacher, counselor, or another adult. This needs to be someone who knows you well and will say positive things about your character, your work ethic, and your overall awesomeness. This will need to be someone NOT related to you.  When asking someone for a letter of recommendation, you will need to show them respect by giving them enough time to be able to thoughtfully write something out on your behalf and still get it in on the deadline.  So the rule of thumb is to ask and then give that person at least a month ahead of the deadline. Also, make sure you give them information about where the letter needs to be sent.  Here's is a link for a brag sheet that you can fill out to give to the person that is writing the letter of recommendation.  This is a time for you to let us know what makes you special, unique, and stand out from everyone else. 

 

Letter of Recommendation - Worksheet

 

Searching for Scholarships

Below is listed a variety of search engines to look for scholarships. A few things to keep in mind. The more scholarships you apply for, the greater your chances of success. As you are looking at scholarships and if you meet the primary eligibility, click on the scholarship to make sure you meet the complete eligibility and then apply for those scholarships! Make sure you submit all of the application materials required for each scholarship by the deadline dates. Make a note of each scholarship date and where it is located on a calendar so you will not forget it. Never pay to apply for a scholarship! Don't fall for scams!

 

Check out our Running Scholarship list: 

 Scholarship List

Explore additional scholarship opportunities (thousands!) on your Major Clarity account! 

 

Scholarship Search Engines

 

Native American/Minority Scholarships

 

A detailed list of Native American Scholarship Opportunities 

 

For Undocumented and DACA Students

 

Our Partner! Please visit their website to receive even more help!

Northern Arizona College Resource Center (NACRC)

  • Beginning your financial aid search

    (Please click on the bold words for a quick link to the websites)

    FAFSA - Getting financial aid and scholarships require that you complete your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You should complete your FAFSA early in your application process. Once you have completed your FAFSA, you will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR). This report shows the amount of money that you and your family are expected to contribute towards your first year of college. This is called your Expected Family Contribution (EFC). Families and students will need to fill out the FAFSA each year the student attends a post-secondary school. The figure is used by educational institutions and scholarship funds to determine financial need.

    FSA ID - both student and parent will need to create an FSA ID before starting the FAFSA. Please make sure that you keep this information in a safe place, as you will need to refer to it in the next few years.

    Ask Benji - This is a new digital assistant to help students and families complete the FAFSA. You may download the app on your phone, and then while completing the FAFSA, if you have a question or don't understand something, you can ask Benji! He will immediately have the answer for you!

  • Most scholarships require that you write a composition (usually about 350 words) which can include any or all of the following: your high school activities, leadership positions, community activities, educational goals, career goals, financial need, work experience, and any special considerations. Put plenty of effort into this statement because it needs to make you stand out among your peers. Make sure that your spelling and grammar are correct and that you have proofread your statement. 

    Teacher/Counselor/Community recommendations - Some scholarships will ask that you provide a letter of recommendation by a teacher, counselor, or another adult. This needs to be someone who knows you well and will say positive things about your character, your work ethic, and your overall awesomeness. This will need to be someone NOT related to you.  When asking someone for a letter of recommendation, you will need to show them respect by giving them enough time to be able to thoughtfully write something out on your behalf and still get it in on the deadline.  So the rule of thumb is to ask and then give that person at least a month ahead of the deadline. Also, make sure you give them information about where the letter needs to be sent.  Here's is a link for a brag sheet that you can fill out to give to the person that is writing the letter of recommendation.  This is a time for you to let us know what makes you special, unique, and stand out from everyone else. 

     

    Letter of Recommendation - Worksheet

     

    Searching for Scholarships

    Below is listed a variety of search engines to look for scholarships. A few things to keep in mind. The more scholarships you apply for, the greater your chances of success. As you are looking at scholarships and if you meet the primary eligibility, click on the scholarship to make sure you meet the complete eligibility and then apply for those scholarships! Make sure you submit all of the application materials required for each scholarship by the deadline dates. Make a note of each scholarship date and where it is located on a calendar so you will not forget it. Never pay to apply for a scholarship! Don't fall for scams!

     

    Check out our Running Scholarship list: 

     Scholarship List

    Explore additional scholarship opportunities (thousands!) on your Major Clarity account! 

     

    Scholarship Search Engines

     

    Native American/Minority Scholarships

     

    A detailed list of Native American Scholarship Opportunities 

     

    For Undocumented and DACA Students

     

    Our Partner! Please visit their website to receive even more help!

    Northern Arizona College Resource Center (NACRC)

Applying to College

​​​​​​Some university applications will ask that you provide a letter of recommendation by a teacher, counselor, or another adult. This needs to be someone who knows you well and will say positive things about your character, your work ethic, and your overall awesomeness. This will need to be someone NOT related to you.

When asking someone for a letter of recommendation, you will need to show them respect by giving them enough time to be able to thoughtfully write something out on your behalf and still get it in on the deadline. So the rule of thumb is to ask and then give that person at least a month ahead of the deadline. Also, make sure you give them information about where the letter needs to be sent. Here's is a link for a brag sheet that you can fill out to give to the person that is writing the letter of recommendation.

You will need to:

  1. Ask them in person
  2. Give them a copy of your Letter of Recommendation - Worksheet
  3. Put in an official request through Major Clarity

College Essay Strategies

Some schools will ask you to write an essay for your admissions. Here are a couple of links for helpful tips. Please make sure you check your essay for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and always proofread it!   

Collegeboard Essay Tips

TOP 10 TOPS FOR WRITING A COLLEGE ESSAY

College Visits

Throughout the school year, we have a number of college recruiters that will meet with students in the College & Career Corner.  Please listen to the announcements for upcoming visits and sign up in the counseling office. 

Here are some questions you can ask when visiting a school...14 questions to ask admissions 

We encourage our CHS student-athletes to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at the very latest, before their junior year, to be eligible to participate in collegiate-level sports. Clearinghouse Registration Checklist.

 

Athletes should also consider the NAIA, which is made up of some smaller four-year colleges and less competitive college sports.  NAIA Eligibility Reference Sheet. Register for NAIA

 

For the most up to date information regarding NCAA approved courses and activities, always reference the NCAA website directly.

  • ​​​​​​Some university applications will ask that you provide a letter of recommendation by a teacher, counselor, or another adult. This needs to be someone who knows you well and will say positive things about your character, your work ethic, and your overall awesomeness. This will need to be someone NOT related to you.

    When asking someone for a letter of recommendation, you will need to show them respect by giving them enough time to be able to thoughtfully write something out on your behalf and still get it in on the deadline. So the rule of thumb is to ask and then give that person at least a month ahead of the deadline. Also, make sure you give them information about where the letter needs to be sent. Here's is a link for a brag sheet that you can fill out to give to the person that is writing the letter of recommendation.

    You will need to:

    1. Ask them in person
    2. Give them a copy of your Letter of Recommendation - Worksheet
    3. Put in an official request through Major Clarity

  • College Essay Strategies

    Some schools will ask you to write an essay for your admissions. Here are a couple of links for helpful tips. Please make sure you check your essay for grammar, spelling, punctuation, and always proofread it!   

    Collegeboard Essay Tips

    TOP 10 TOPS FOR WRITING A COLLEGE ESSAY

  • College Visits

    Throughout the school year, we have a number of college recruiters that will meet with students in the College & Career Corner.  Please listen to the announcements for upcoming visits and sign up in the counseling office. 

    Here are some questions you can ask when visiting a school...14 questions to ask admissions 

  • We encourage our CHS student-athletes to register with the NCAA Clearinghouse at the very latest, before their junior year, to be eligible to participate in collegiate-level sports. Clearinghouse Registration Checklist.

     

    Athletes should also consider the NAIA, which is made up of some smaller four-year colleges and less competitive college sports.  NAIA Eligibility Reference Sheet. Register for NAIA

     

    For the most up to date information regarding NCAA approved courses and activities, always reference the NCAA website directly.

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