College Counseling

Timetable Checklist

Freshman Year

  • Keep grades as high as possible in effort to keep your college options open.
  • Get involved in as many extracurricular activities as possible.  Colleges look for more than just grades.
  • Begin to decipher what you are looking for in a college.
  • Research colleges you are interested in.
  • Go to college fairs in your area.
  • Ask your college counselor if you can sign up for AP classes for next year

Sophomore Year
Fall: 

  • Get used to taking standardized tests by taking the PSAT (preliminary SAT) or PLAN (preliminary ACT).
  • PSATs will be held at Pacifica on Wednesday, October 12th.  
  • Keep grades as high as possible to keep your options open.
  • Begin checking out colleges online and college fairs.  See the naccap website for a list of fairs (naccap.org/fairs). 

          Spring:

  • Make an appointment to meet with the College Counselor to discuss possible college plans.
  • Look at possible Advanced Placement courses that could earn you college credit.
  • Attend Pacifica College Counseling Workshop on the evening of September 12.
  • Attend the Pacifica college trip.

Summer:

  • Add to your resume with a part time job and/ or experience.

Junior Year
Fall:

  • If you haven’t, create a Naviance account and keep it updated.
  • Take the PSAT, even if you took it last year.  High scores can qualify you for National Merit Scholarship. 
  • PSATs will be held at Pacifica on Wednesday, October 12. 
  • Start a file for mail from colleges that interest you.
  • Begin making a list of the top 7-10 colleges you are interested in.
  • Continue checking out colleges online and college fairs.  See the NACCAP website for a list of fairs (naccap.org/fairs).
  • Add your college list to Naviance and discuss them with College Counselor.
  • Attend the Pacifica Fall southern California college trip.
  • Attend Pacifica College Counseling Workshop on the evening of September 12.
  • Keep grades as high as possible to keep your options open.
Winter:

  • Take the SAT Prep class offered by Pacifica Christian High School. 
Spring:

  • Take SAT (SAT II if necessary for your school of preference) for the first time.
  • When you receive your SAT, ACT, or SAT II scores enter your scores into Naviance and email Mr. Roberson your score.
  • Check your transcripts to make sure you’re not leaving anything out by scheduling a grad check with the college counselor.
  • Visit the colleges you're most interested in. 

Senior Year
Fall:

  • Meet with College Counselor for advice and support.
  • Attend Pacifica College Counseling Workshop on the evening of September 12.
  • Keep your Naviance account updated.
  • Keep an organized notebook with sections for your top ten schools.
  • Take SAT (and SAT II if necessary for your school of preference) and/or ACTs for second time.
  • Check your transcripts to make sure you’re not leaving anything out by scheduling a grad check with the College Counselor.
  • Get the up-to-date catalogs from your top 10 schools.
  • Look for information for financial aid that will help you make your decision.
  • Narrow your list of schools down to about 5 and begin the application process for each of these schools.
  • Ask selected adults to fill out any recommendation forms required by your chosen schools.
  • Begin writing drafts for your application process and have them edited by teachers, friends, and family.
  • Send in early admission applications.
  • If needed, schedule visits with your top 2 or 3 schools.
Winter:

  • Complete and send in any remaining applications.
  • Fill out FAFSA (Federal Student Aid) as soon after January 1 as possible.
Spring:

  • Choose your school and notify those you turned down as a courtesy.  Let the College Counselor know which university or college you will be attending.
  • Wear a T-shirt with your college’s name on it so everybody knows where you are going on Pacifica Fridays.