Grades 9-11

9th Grade

• Begin to review general college admission standards for the University.
  
  
• Encourage your student to take college-preparatory course work through high school.
  
  
• Start conversations with your student about financing a college education.
  
  

10th Grade

• Encourage your student to meet with his or her high school counselor to discuss course work and college plans.
  
  
• Visit with your student about preparing for the college entrance exams (ACT and SAT). Test-takers tend to perform better when they are familiar with the format and content of the test. Encourage your student to take the pre-ACT test, PLAN, or the preliminary SAT test, PSAT.
  
  
• Begin conversations with your student about possible career goals/interests. Colorado State University's Career Center provides information, a checklist, and tips for parents and family members about their role in the career development process.
  
  

11th Grade

• Encourage your student to register for and take the pre-ACT test, PLAN, or the preliminary SAT test, PSAT/NMSQT, in the fall.
  
  
• Help your son or daughter begin building a list of possible colleges by determining factors that are important to them such as academic program, location, size, cost, activities, and athletics.
  
  
• Begin the process of exploring scholarship and financial aid opportunities.
  
  
• Encourage your student to visit his or her high school Counseling Office/Career Center, to request information from colleges, to attend college fairs, and/or to visit with college admissions representatives.
  
  
• Have your student register for and take the ACT and/or SAT test in the spring/early summer.
  
  
• Encourage your student to take strong academic courses during their senior year and to strive to achieve their academic best.
  
  
• Start visiting schools your student may be considering. If this is not practical for you and your family, you and your student can "visit" many schools online.