• Make sure this fall's classes are as rigorous as you can handle. Take Advance Placement (AP), and/or PreAP (Honors) classes. The level of difficulty of student coursework is one of the most important factors college admissions officers analyze when deciding on accepting applicants for admission.

• Continue to compete in contests, matches, and challenges. Earn honors and awards to build your student résumé (brag sheet). Consider participating in UIL Academic Teams at MHS and perhaps tryout for Academic Decathlon.

• Earn the best grades this year to have the highest possible GPA and class rank.

• Look for leadership roles in campus activities. Mentor underclassmen.
• It is the law: register for selective service when you turn 18 (males).
• Research college admission forms. Begin printing forms now and compiling needed information for applications.
• Register for the October SAT test if you want to improve your scores.
• Update your student resume (brag sheet). Include all accomplishments and activities from fall semester. Begin looking for teachers, employers, mentors and community members that you may ask to prepare a letter of recommendation for you. Prepare copies of your brag sheet for those that you ask for a letter of recommendation.
• Know the MHS CEEB (high school code) number. 444740

September

• Check on your four-year plan for high school graduation and college admission.
• Take on leadership roles in some of your extracurricular activities. Leadership is one of the most valuable student qualifications sought by college admission officers.
• Know the CEEB code for Midland High School (also known as the high school code). It is 444740. This code will be used wherever either the CEEB code or the high school code is needed. Again, for MHS it is 444740. You will use this for college applications and SAT/ACT registration.
• Find out if the colleges you want to attend require interviews. Schedule interviews now if they do.
• Begin now working on application essays for colleges.
• Complete your Legacy Scholarship volunteer hours this semester if you THINK there is a chance you will attend Midland College. Find out more here. Set a target date for the 40 hours of community service to be done by December.
• Look and listen for announcements for times and locations of sessions at MHS with college representatives. Visit with college representatives who come to MHS this spring. Read information and ask questions to see if their school may be a good fit for you.
• Senior Panoramic Picture- Dress appropriately.
• Finalize the process now if you are interested in attending a United States Military Academy.
• • Army
  • Navy
  • Air Force
  • Coast Guard
   
   
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October

• Attend College Forum October 7 at 7PM at Midland College.
• Go here to find dates for SAT and ACT testing this year. You may want to take these tests again to increase your scores.

• NOW-Ask teachers, mentors, community members and coaches for letters of recommendations. Give them a copy of your brag sheet. Give them plenty of time to complete the letter. Ask for recommendations from those that you have developed a relationship that know you the best.
• Prepare paperwork you will need for the FAFSA. Find out more about FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). For assistance at MHS, contact your Academic Advisor, Ms. Gonzalez.
• ROTC Scholarship deadlines are approaching. MHS has the JROTC through the Air Force. Find out more about these scholarships here.
• Send your ACT and SAT scores to colleges of interest.
• If your college major is in the fine arts, you may have to schedule auditions/interviews. Now is the time to schedule these.

November

• Narrow down the types of colleges and universities you may wish to attend and discuss college costs with your parent(s).
• Begin looking at financial aid. Many scholarships are awarded based on your GPA, so do well in your coursework.
• Take the SATs again this month if you want to improve your scores.
• If you want to play collegiate sports, take the steps necessary to increase your eligibility. Begin looking at the NCAA Clearinghouse website.
• Teacher and counselor recommendations should be submitted (most are sent electronically).
• Make a photocopy of all paper admission materials and keep for your files (transcripts, letters, etc.).
• Mail all college applications and paperwork, including transcripts, letters of recommendations and your brag sheets (in resume form). A recommended practice is to send these using US Certified Mail.

   
• Review your Facebook or Myspace profiles and pages. Have a trusted adult review these pages. Colleges have been known to review materials online in determining acceptance.
   
   
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December

• Do well on your final exams this semester. Earn the impressive grades needed for admission to college and to receive scholarships.

• Visit with college friends who are home from college on winter break. Try to get an overall picture of what to expect from college life.
• Complete the FAFSA beginning January 1st (see October above).
• Check with universities to confirm they received your applications if you did not get a confirmation email or letter. You may have to call admissions offices directly if you did not receive confirmation.

January

• Continue to work hard this semester. Colleges may deny acceptance or put students on academic probation based on spring grades.
• Continue participating in extracurricular activities both inside and outside of school. Dedicate yourself to a few extracurricular activities and work toward leadership positions. Look to pass on leadership skills to underclassmen.
• Submit a written letter to the MHS Principal if you need more than 8 tickets to graduation. Include in the letter your name, ID and a contact number. All graduates will receive 8 tickets to commencement at the end of graduation practice.
• Submit Legacy application and hours to Midland College.

February

• BE PROFESSIONAL when visiting with all college representatives.
• Submit Texas Scholar Hours to the Counseling Center (February 18, 2011).
• Review your Facebook or Myspace profiles and pages. Have a trusted adult review these pages. Colleges have been known to review materials online in determining acceptance.
• Prepare to take AP tests in May. All MHS students in AP classes will take AP tests.
• It may be helpful if your parents do not wait until April to complete tax forms. These forms are used for many reasons by scholarship and financial aid committees.
• Continue to watch and listen for local scholarships.

March

• Have all correspondence work turned in to the counselor.
• Good grades and good behavior are very important until the last day of high school. Colleges have the right to revoke their offer of admission if your academic performance drops or if you demonstrate behavior problems during the months prior to enrollment.
• Finish the process now if you are interested in attending a United States Military Academy.
  • Army
  • Navy
  • Air Force
  • Coast Guard

April

• High GPA’s open college admission doors.

• Become a candidate and run for office in your elective and extracurricular classes. Look at student council and other prominent organizations to become a part of.

• Continue to research career options and consider possible college majors.
• Do well on the Science, Math and Social Studies TAKS this month (If ReTakes are needed). Aim for commended performance (2400).

• Continue to research colleges of your choice. Do not narrow or limit yourself to just a few. Find at least eight colleges to begin looking at admissions.
• The deadline to submit a written letter to the MHS Principal if you need more than 8 tickets to graduation is this month. Include in the letter your name, ID and a contact number. All graduates will receive 8 tickets to commencement at the end of graduation practice. Letters must be typed and submitted to the principal's office.  Emails are not accepted.

May

• Do well on your final exams. One low grade could endanger credits.
• Parents should plan to help your student with the college preparation and admission process over the next two years. Get informed and help with the important decisions ahead.
• Have all correspondence work turned in to the counselor.

• Attend the Senior Meeting for Graduation late May.

• Beware of campus deadlines for completion of credits through recovery programs and online courses.

• Attend Baccalaureate. Attendance is voluntary.