Freshman Year
  1. Get involved in activities. Find a sport, club, community activity, etc. Start to explore your authentic self.
  2. Begin using SCOIR. You have an account created through your Calverton email address that will carry you through to college. Complete in SCOIR: Building out your Scoir profile (write a personal bio and begin adding sports, activities, or clubs you’re involved in) Let Scoir know if you are a first-generation student Download the Scoir Mobile App Invite your parent/guardian(s) to join you on Scoir.
  3. Take the PSATs. This is set up through the school during a school day. The PSAT is a primer for the SAT and even ACT. The PSAT in 9th grade is practice. It will help you identify your current scoring level and future out how you can improve for the future.
  4. Take advantage of a college workshop to schedule a family meeting with the college counselor. This can help you see the big picture for the next four years and aid you in building your relationship with the counselor, setting goals, and beginning familiarity with Scoir.
  5. Start to assess family finances. Some scholarships are available to high school students, not just juniors or seniors.
  6. Start applying and collecting that scholarship money!
  7. Visit college campuses.
  8. Stay organized and on top of your work.
Sophomore Year
  1. Continue building in your Scoir account: update your personal bio and expand your list of activities and achievements.
  2. Explore College Sessions and take virtual campus tours through the YouVisit experience on a College Profile Start building your college preferences and follow at least four colleges.
  3. Download the Scoir Student Mobile App.
  4. Take the PSATs. This is set up through the school during a school day. The PSAT is a primer for the SAT and even ACT. The PSAT in 10th grade identifies academic strengths and weaknesses early while there is time to improve.
  5. Take advantage of a college workshop to schedule a family meeting with the college counselor. This can help you see where you are in high school transcripts, continue to build your relationship with the counselor, and update your goals.
  6. Begin to practice writing college essays.
  7. Some scholarships are available to high school students, not just juniors or seniors. Start applying and collecting that scholarship money!
  8. Plan something authentic for summer break.
  9. Consider SAT prep course or free online practice.
  10. Consider a late spring/summer SAT Visit to college campuses. We encourage you to visit with in-school college representatives.
  11. Stay on top of your work.
Junior Year
  1. Continue building on Scoir and:
    • Take the Find Your College Match Quiz
    • Follow at least 6 colleges
    • Add your test scores
    • Explore College Sessions
  2. Take virtual campus tours through the YouVisit experience on a College Profile Explore College Profiles to learn more about activities, clubs, and athletics.
  3. Request letters of recommendation in the spring of Junior year.
  4. Take the PSATs. This is set up through the school during a school day. The PSAT is a primer for the SAT and even the ACT. The PSAT in 11th grade identifies academic strengths and weaknesses early while there is time to improve.
  5. There is an opportunity to meet the requirement to enter the National Merit Scholarship Program. Many colleges use this to identify students who may make an excellent addition to their student body and deserving of scholarships. Maryland has a higher cutoff score of NMSC of 223, where the national average cutoff score is 218.
  6. Take advantage of a college workshop to schedule a family meeting with the college counselor. This can help you see where you are in high school transcripts, continue to build your relationship with the counselor, and update your goals.
  7. Begin to practice writing college essays.
  8. Consider if you will apply Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision.
  9. Some scholarships are available to high school juniors. Start applying and collecting that scholarship money!
  10. Consider an SAT prep course or free online practice.
  11. Consider a Spring SAT. Though many schools no longer require SAT scores, a strong score included with transcripts can improve chances at a preferred school. Some schools consider the SAT a more valuable admissions tool than GPA. GPA compares to the rest of your school, whereas the SAT compares to the rest of the country.
  12. Begin formally visiting college campuses. Sit in with college representatives during school visits.
  13. In between junior and senior years, begin college applications and essays.
Senior Year
  1. Continue building in Scoir and:
    Take the Find Your College Match Quiz to finalize your College Preferences 
    • Identify your shortlist of approximately eight colleges
    • Consider adding Top Choices to mark your favorites. 
    • Complete your Scoir profile
    • Finalize your bio
    • Expand your activities and achievements 
    • Add your test scores
  2. Explore College Sessions and take virtual campus tours through the YouVisit experience on a College Profile Explore College Profiles to learn more about activities, clubs, and athletics.
  3. Begin your application with Scoir.
  4. Request letters of recommendation.
  5. Within My Colleges, move colleges from “Following” to “Applying” to “Applied.”
  6. Sign your FERPA release/waiver and request fee waivers. If applying for Early Decision, start an Early Decision Contract, Record Early/Regular Decision outcomes, or indicate your post-graduation plans.