Steps for Academic and Career Planning

GRADE

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Meet with your counselor to discuss, create and update your Individualized Career and Academic Plan (ICAP)

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Take career-related assessments in Naviance

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Talk to parents/legal guardians, teachers and a counselor about your interests and post-secondary goals

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Talk to parents/legal guardians and other adults about their careers

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Attend career and elective fairs

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Identify and research potential careers

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Look at colleges and identify high school courses needed for college admission

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Educate yourself about the different kinds of diplomas and the requirements for each

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Review the Program of Studies and identify courses you would like to take in the future

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Enroll in Honors, Advanced Placement, Dual Enrollment and other advanced academic courses offered in high school

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Challenge yourself academically; strive for a higher GPA each year

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Participate in school and community activities

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Consider summer enrichment programs, including campus, school-based courses and college courses

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Consider volunteering or service learning activities

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Create a game plan in Naviance Family Connection and update it each year

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Start exploring financial aid options

   

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Review your academic record to ensure information is correct

 

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Start narrowing your field of potential careers and identify colleges that offer related majors

   

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Become familiar with the T.C. Williams College and Career Center

     

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Visit the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria office

     

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Take PSAT/SAT

     

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Identify teachers, coaches or other adults who might write letters of recommendation for you

     

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Attend college fairs and see presentations by college admissions representatives visiting T.C. Williams High School

   

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Create a résumé in Naviance; update annually

   

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Research and start applying for potential scholarships

       

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Consider a part-time job or volunteer opportunity in a field related to your career goals

       

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Start narrowing your college choices and visit the schools; create a filing system for notes

     

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Consider community college, technical schools or apprenticeship programs

         

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Start the application process for a military academy

         

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Take College Entrance Exams (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject); retake as needed

         

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Take the ASVAB if considering military options; retake as needed

       

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Practice interviewing skills

       

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Narrow your college list to five or six schools and visit the campuses

         

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Write your college application essay and/or personal statement

         

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Complete and send college applications; decide if you are applying for early decision

           

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Consider applying to the Pathway to the Baccalaureate Program through Northern Virginia Community College (NOVA)

           

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Take the NOVA placement exams if considering the community college

           

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Tell your counselor what colleges you are applying to so the appropriate information will be sent

           

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Request letters of recommendation through Naviance

           

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Complete the Federal Financial Aid Forms (FAFSA) as close to January 1 as possible

           

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Complete the Scholarship Fund of Alexandria application and any other scholarship applications

           

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Meet with a recruiter if you are joining the military; complete paperwork

           

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Inform your counselor of your final post-secondary plans

           

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Notify colleges by May 1 of your final decision

           

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Participate in the Senior Experience program

           

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Graduate with an action plan for your future success

           

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