The Grade Level Information will provide guidance in planning and preparing for career, college, and/or military enlistment to students and families. What are some considerations during each grade level in high school to help the student with accomplishing the desired post-secondary plan? Explore even more resources on the following webpages: Academic Resources, College Resources, Career Resources, and Military Resources.
Freshman Information |
Your freshman year is a good time to begin to get involved in some school and club activities. Since you may not be with your very closet middle and elementary school friends, this is an excellent opportunity to meet new people and develop new interests that may last a lifetime. Choose activities you like best and work to be a good member of the team or club. Be careful, however, not to get involved with too much too fast. You may spread yourself too thin. At this time, begin to develop an activity sheet/resume to record your honors and high school activities. In the spring, you should select rigorous courses that help you explore career interests and meet both graduation requirements and college admission requirements. Look for student enrichment opportunities to prepare for future careers and college.
Think seriously about your career interests and colleges you would like to attend. Contact the college to learn about specific academic requirements for admission or connect with a military recruiter to learn about the enlistment process. Then plan your high school coursework accordingly. It is very wise to develop a four-year plan that shows all of the courses you would like to take during high school to prepare for post-secondary goals. Get to know your school counselor, career development coordinator, or college adviser.
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Sophmore Information |
In the tenth grade, you should work hard, learn all that you can, and make the very best grades you are capable of making as a student. All sophomores will take the Pre-ACT, an assessment that measures your college readiness and helps you prepare for the ACT. You are also strongly encouraged to register for the PSAT in October to prepare for the SAT. Continue to seek leadership opportunities in the school and community. Research opportunities for scholarships and summer enrichment programs. Develop an activity sheet/resume to record your honors and high school activities. Get to know your school counselor, career development coordinator, or college adviser. Revisit your four-year plan that shows all of the courses you would like to take during high school to prepare for post-secondary goals. In the spring, check with your school counselor to discuss whether your selection of courses for the junior year fits your career or college plans.
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Junior Information |
In your junior year, you should begin to narrow your choices to eight to ten colleges that have what you are looking for in courses, locations, and extracurricular activities. Make sure that the colleges offer the major you wish to pursue. Throughout the year, many college representatives and military recruiters visit Asheboro High School to talk with students, so plan to take advantage of these opportunities.
During the first semester, research colleges on your list and begin looking at admission requirements and financial aid, merit, and need-based grants/scholarships. Visit the online AHS Scholarship Bulletin that is updated monthly to research scholarship opportunities.
Explore and utilize the available resources in preparing for the ACT and SAT. Also, you are strongly encouraged to register for the PSAT/NMSQT. The PSAT/NMSQT is given, in October, to Juniors that registered to take the test. All students in North Carolina completed the PreACT, which is the practice test for the ACT during their sophomore year of high school. The ACT is another college entrance exam. All Juniors in North Carolina will take the ACT in the second semester. Consult with your school counselor or the college adviser for more information about registering for the ACT and SAT for a weekend test administration date.
During spring registration, sign up for academically rigorous courses. Revisit your four-year plan that shows all of the classes you would like to take during high school to prepare for post-secondary goals. College admission is competitive, and the courses you are taking your senior year will show on your high school transcript. As you plan your schedule, check graduation requirements to be sure you are taking the courses for your career, college, or military post-high school plan.
By the summer of your junior year, you should try to reduce your list of potential colleges to four or five. You and your family might try to schedule a time during the school year or summer break to visit college campuses to explore residence halls, dining halls, student unions, and other spots that interest you.
Don’t forget to continue to develop your activity sheet/resume to record your honors and high school activities. Connect with your school counselor, career development coordinator, or college adviser to receive assistance throughout the year.
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Senior Information |
Throughout the year, many college representatives and military recruiters visit Asheboro High School to talk with students, so plan to take advantage of these opportunities. Connect with your school counselor, career development coordinator, or college adviser to receive assistance throughout the year. We are available if you need help in planning for a career, college, and or military opportunity.
Sign up to take the ACT or SAT in the fall semester. Consult with your school counselor or the college adviser for more information about registering for the ACT and SAT for a weekend test administration date.
By the early fall semester, select colleges to which you will apply. Most colleges encourage students to apply online. Visit the online AHS Scholarship Bulletin that is updated monthly to research scholarship opportunities. Update your activity sheet/resume to record honors and high school activities.
In August-February, complete your college applications. If you are required to submit letters of recommendation, ask your school counselor, teachers, and people in the community. The first application deadline for many colleges for early admission is October and November.
Check your email or college portal daily because most colleges will notify students of any missing materials for admission and send confirmation that all information is on file through one of these means.
Along with your parents, plan to attend a financial aid workshop in October. Respond to college offers of admission or scholarship. Essentially, notify the scholarship organization of your decision regarding acceptance of the award offer and college of your plans as it relates to attendance in the upcoming academic year.
Keep working hard to maintain your satisfactory academic standing! Upon receiving your final high school transcript, colleges and scholarship organizations can rescind admissions and monetary awards if your performance is not adequate at the end of the school year.
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