College and Career Planning Checklist

There are many factors to consider when building your college list, including campus size, location, cost, and available programs. Consider which of these factors you value most to help you narrow down your search and create the right list for you. Be sure to include a financially safer school option or two, which are schools you are likely to be able to afford and get accepted to.

If you're taking an AP course, you can access free learning resources in AP Classroom by joining your class section online with the join code your teacher gives you.

Adding your parent or guardian information to your College Board account is optional, but it's a great idea. The parent or guardian whose information you added can sign up to receive our newsletters as well as copies of important emails sent to you through the "CC a Parent" service. That means you don't need to worry as much about checking your email for messages from us—your parent or guardian can help you keep an eye out.

Many high schools and community organizations host financial aid workshops. Attend these events to learn about the financial aid process, the types of aid available, and how to complete the necessary forms.

Attend college fairs and information sessions to learn more about different schools and their financial aid offerings.

Want to start hearing from colleges and scholarship programs looking for students like you? Opt in to Student Search Service so they can contact you directly. You'll learn about life on campus, scholarships, financial aid, and more. If you’ve already signed up, you’re set.

Regardless of your AP Exam score, completing an AP course and exam shows your determination to tackle college-level work. Learn more about the ways you'll benefit.

It's not too early to start thinking about scholarships. Discover scholarship opportunities from over 6,000 different programs and organizations. You can find matches based on your intended major, cultural background, and other factors.

The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. If your school offers the PSAT/NMSQT for your grade, you’ll take it in the fall. The PSAT/NMSQT measures the skills and knowledge that are most important to college and career success. It can help you learn your strengths and areas you need to improve so that you can stay on track.

What kind of education is required for the careers you’re interested in? Start exploring careers and learn about different paths to get there.

When your PSAT/NMSQT scores are ready, you can ask your school counselor for your PSAT/NMSQT score report or access the BigFuture® School mobile app if you provided your mobile number on test day. As always, you can use your personal College Board account to access their scores. You'll see your overall score and section scores with details about areas where you excel and areas where you might want to focus some additional study time. You'll also see which AP courses might be a good fit for you.

PSAT/NMSQT scores are not sent to colleges—they're meant to help you plan for the rest of high school and focus on the knowledge and skills that matter most for college and career success.

If you've taken the PSAT 8/9, PSAT 10, or PSAT/NMSQT, explore your AP Potential™. Learn which AP courses you’re ready for by reviewing your personalized list.

Make an appointment to meet with your school counselor who’ll help you set goals for life after high school. If you’re considering college, you’ll want to learn about graduation requirements, the college application process, and other recommendations to help you plan for college and career.

It’s time to start planning for 12th grade. You’ll work with your counselor, teachers, and/or parents to select courses. AP courses are a great way to help you get ready for college and earn credit.

Most students take the SAT for the first time in the spring of their junior year. Ask your counselor or principal if your school offers the SAT on a school day. If not, plan to register for it on a weekend. Find test dates and registration deadlines, as well as test centers near you using our SAT test center search.

In preparation for your first SAT, we recommend setting a goal score to strive toward when test day comes. Review your score report from the PSAT/NMSQT to identify what knowledge and skills you need to work on, and then go to Khan Academy® for Official Digital SAT Prep. About 2 weeks before test day, take a full-length practice test. You'll feel more confident with more test taking experience, and you'll see how close you come to reaching your goal score.

AP Classroom has several free resources available to help you prepare for your upcoming exams. You can access AP Daily: Practice Sessions, AP Daily videos, as well as other resources including free-response questions, sample student responses, and scoring guidelines from previous exams. Check them out today.

Consider what your SAT score means for your college or career goals, and give yourself a pat on the back for your hard work. If you’re hoping to boost your score, think about taking the test a second time. Your score report will show you the knowledge and skills that you should focus on to improve.

AP Exam scores are released in early July. Check out these tips to ensure you are ready to view yours.

Get the facts about what college costs and look at the average net price of colleges you’re interested in. You may be surprised by how affordable higher education can be.

Familiarize yourself with the FAFSA® application process. The FAFSA determines your eligibility for federal aid and some state-based aid programs. Even if you don't think you'll qualify for financial aid, it's essential to submit the FAFSA.

Have an open conversation with your parents or guardians about funding your college education. Discuss saving options, FAFSA, and institutional scholarship options at your chosen schools. Understanding this early will help you plan accordingly.

Summer is a great time to explore interests and learn new skills—and colleges look for students who pursue meaningful summer activities. Look into summer learning programs or find a job or internship.

Make plans to check out the college campuses you’re interested in. Use the Campus Visit Checklist to learn how to get the most out of these experiences or look at virtual tour options.