Timeline for Freshmen
FRESHMAN COLLEGE PREP TIMELINE
William Howard Taft High School Code: 053806
William Howard Taft High School Code: 053806
August
Start a file for your high school report cards, awards, achievements, etc. Establish a flexible schedule which allows for study time, extracurricular activities, and other interests. Use a calendar to help with organization. Get involved at school – join clubs, volunteer, etc.
September
Meet your counselor and talk about your goals. Plan a four-year schedule that will help you meet them. Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Become familiar with high school graduation and college entrance requirements. Sign up for the PSAT at Taft (test is given in October) through the College Office.
Meet your counselor and talk about your goals. Plan a four-year schedule that will help you meet them. Take challenging classes in core academic subjects. Become familiar with high school graduation and college entrance requirements. Sign up for the PSAT at Taft (test is given in October) through the College Office.
October
If you have wanted to start something new, now is the time. Try out for a team, get involved at school by joining clubs, etc. Find out about community organizations that interest you and volunteer. Attend the LAUSD College Fair; you can meet college reps and attend college workshops. If you signed up, take the PSAT.
If you have wanted to start something new, now is the time. Try out for a team, get involved at school by joining clubs, etc. Find out about community organizations that interest you and volunteer. Attend the LAUSD College Fair; you can meet college reps and attend college workshops. If you signed up, take the PSAT.
November
Work hard to get good grades. C’s, D’s, and F’s will have a far-reaching effect. Ask your counselor or teachers what Honors and Advanced Placement courses are available, whether you are eligible, and how to enroll.
Work hard to get good grades. C’s, D’s, and F’s will have a far-reaching effect. Ask your counselor or teachers what Honors and Advanced Placement courses are available, whether you are eligible, and how to enroll.
December
Talk to parents, teachers, and classmates about the classes you are interested in taking for next school year. If you want to be a college athlete, look into the NCAA requirements www.ncaa.org
Talk to parents, teachers, and classmates about the classes you are interested in taking for next school year. If you want to be a college athlete, look into the NCAA requirements www.ncaa.org
January
Take some time to really think about your post-secondary options—why do you want to go to college? What do you want to study? What career would be best for you? If you haven’t joined clubs, do it now!
Take some time to really think about your post-secondary options—why do you want to go to college? What do you want to study? What career would be best for you? If you haven’t joined clubs, do it now!
February
Colleges want to see passion and commitment. If there is something that excites you, explore it; don’t wait until Junior or Senior year to start building your resume. Start doing volunteer work. Colleges are looking for long-term commitments to organizations and clubs. Attend Taft Honors/AP meetings to learn about classes for next year.
Colleges want to see passion and commitment. If there is something that excites you, explore it; don’t wait until Junior or Senior year to start building your resume. Start doing volunteer work. Colleges are looking for long-term commitments to organizations and clubs. Attend Taft Honors/AP meetings to learn about classes for next year.
March
Stay focused on being organized, studying and getting good grades. If you need help, talk to your teachers and counselor. Run for student government and/or take on leadership roles in school clubs.
Stay focused on being organized, studying and getting good grades. If you need help, talk to your teachers and counselor. Run for student government and/or take on leadership roles in school clubs.
April
Take some spare time to research careers and to learn more about yourself. Use the U.S. Department of Labor to research your career options. A pply for scholarships (free money for college).
Take some spare time to research careers and to learn more about yourself. Use the U.S. Department of Labor to research your career options. A pply for scholarships (free money for college).
May
Consider working, volunteering, and/or participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, or science. Remember—it’s quality (not quantity) that counts. Make good use of your summer time off.
Consider working, volunteering, and/or participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops, and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts, or science. Remember—it’s quality (not quantity) that counts. Make good use of your summer time off.