COLLEGE BOUND STUDENTS
What to Do Year by Year
Presented by the Guidance
Departments of Cactus,
Centennial, Ironwood, Liberty,
Peoria, Raymond Kellis, and
Sunrise Mountain High Schools

Topics for Discussion
 College Requirements
 9th Grade
 10th Grade
 11th Grade
 12 Grade
 Financing College
 Resources

Courses Required for Universities
 4 credits of English
 4 credits of Math
 3 credits of Lab Science
 2 credits of Social
Studies
 2 credits of Foreign
Language
 1 credit of Fine Arts

Unconditional Admission
 Students who rank in the top 25% of their
graduating class and have no deficiencies in
the 16 core classes required for admission are
assured admission to Arizona state universities
 Students who rank in the top 50% are not
automatically admitted, but are admitted on a
case-by-case basis
 More specific criteria on the college websites:
www.asu.edu www.arizona.edu www.nau.edu
or the ABOR website www.abor.asu.edu

9th Grade: Now It Counts!
 Monitor your son or daughter’s academic
progress. Do not assume someone will contact
you if there is a problem
 Encourage your student to become involved in
a wide variety of activities
 In the spring, review your student’s proposed
classes for the following year.

9th Grade Continued
 Help your student plan
meaningful activities for
the summer
 START A COLLEGE
SAVINGS ACCOUNT!

10th Grade: Now Your Feet Are Wet
 Continue to monitor academic progress.
 Continue to encourage activities.
 Have your student sign up for and take the
PLAN test. Honors students may also consider
taking the PSAT.
 Start exploring college options.
 Review your student’s plan for the next year.

10th Grade Continued
 Have your student do
some college and career
searches during the
summer
 CONTINUE TO ADD TO
THE COLLEGE
SAVINGS ACCOUNT!

11th Grade- It’s Time to Get Serious
 Continue to monitor academic progress.
 Have your student take the PSAT in October
 Talk about college options.
 Have your student sign up for and take the
SAT and/or ACT in the spring.
 Make some college visits.

11th Grade-Continued
 Carefully select senior classes.
 Start doing scholarship research.
 Begin narrowing college choices.
 KEEP ADDING TO THE COLLEGE SAVINGS
ACCOUNT!

12th Grade- Hard Work and Planning
Pay Off
 Continue to monitor academic progress.
 Help your student set up a calendar for the
year.
 Repeat ACT/SAT if necessary
 Obtain and fill out college applications in the
fall.
 Apply for financial aid and scholarships.

12th Grade Continued
 Make a decision about
college in the spring
 Graduation and YES,
KEEP ADDING TO
THAT COLLEGE
SAVINGS ACCOUNT!

Money for College
 Scholarships: Merit
Based (Criteria Vary)
 Financial Aid: Need
Based (Grants, Work-
Study, Loans)

The “AIMS Scholarship”
 The feasibillty of continuing this scholarship is
under review by the Board of Regents. For up
to date information see
http://www.ade.state.az.us/asd/tuitionwaiver/

Resources
 The Peoria District Guidance Website:
 http://portal.peoriaud.k12.az.us/sites/GuidanceandCounseling/default.
 The Ironwood Guidance Website:
http://staffweb.peoriaud.k12.az.us/Lorraine_Eyer/
 Bridges: www.bridges.com
 Testing: ACT www.act.org and SAT www.collegeboard.com
 Scholarships: www.finaid.org
 College Search: www.collegeview.com
 Career Search: Do What You Are , www.MyMajors.com