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Inland Surf College Pathway

 

SURF COLLEGE CHECKLIST

 

FRESHMAN YEAR

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  • Meet Counselor; discuss college plans, courses

  • Plan to take college prep courses for the next 4 years

  • Plan to maintain high GPA for next 4 years

  • Visit colleges when opportunities arise

  • Join clubs and select activities that interest you

  • Participate on your HS Soccer team as well as your club team.

  • Begin to visit college campuses when possible.

  • Keep a record of all your academic and athletic achievements

  • Set academic goals that meet admissions and NCAA requirements.

  • Begin to create a student player profile to send to college coaches.

  • Look for volunteer and community opportunities that would be of interest to you.

  • Create a list of colleges you may be interested in.

  • Starting to attend Extra Sessions/Skills/Private lessons

 

 

SOPHOMORE YEAR

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  • Meet Counselor; discuss college plans, test plans, courses

  • Continue taking college prep courses; maintain a high GPA

  • Take the PSAT and PLAN to assess your strengths and needs

  • Research colleges and college majors

  • Visit colleges when opportunities arise

  • Develop or enhance your computer skills

  • Join a volunteer program or consider an after-school job

  • Challenge yourself and choose the most difficult classes you can handle, but also have success.

  • Ensure you have your core courses set – English, Math, History, Science.  Proficiency in a foreign language also appeals to colleges.

  • Continue progressing towards completion of your academic courses required by the NCAA

  • Fill out an online recruiting questionnaire for all colleges in which you have an interest.

  • Evaluate test scores and seek help in areas of weakness – focus your test pre- and use sophomore summer to study.

  • Apply for a social security number if you don’t already have one, all college applications will require one.

  • Make initial contact with the college coaching staff, and introduce yourself.  They cannot reach out or respond to you yet.

  • Send your soccer schedules to the colleges' coaches you are interested in attending, especially while attending Showcase events. 

  • Continue to attend Extra Sessions/Skills/Private lessons

 

 

JUNIOR YEAR

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  • Meet Counselor; discuss college plans, test plans, courses 

  • Continue taking college prep and AP Courses 

  • Register for PSAT in the fall, SAT, and/or ACT as early as December and, if possible, 2 SAT subject tests. Take the exam in October to qualify for a National Merit Scholarship

  • High PSAT scores might qualify you for a National Merit Scholarship.  To qualify you must have excellent grades, high SAT scores, and a recommendation from your school.

  • Meet with your coach for a realistic evaluation and discuss your goals  -- Which college level should you target?

  • Send a letter of interest and resume to college coaches.  Keep them updated with your schedule and achievements all year.

  • Set your academic and athletic goals high this year – this will be your most important year of high school.

  • Attend college tours

  • Attend college and career fairs 

  • Research colleges from easy entry to competitive 

  • Research college majors and careers 

  • Research scholarships and financial aid sources 

  • Discuss college options with the counselor and family 

  • Request college brochures, literature, information 

  • Request scholarship brochures, information 

  • Understand application procedures, entrance requirements 

  • Consider taking a test prep course for the SAT or ACT exam 

  • Register and take the SAT I, ACT, and SAT II tests 

  • Visit colleges when opportunities arise 

  • Maintain high effort in coursework, clubs, and activities 

  • Get a summer job or perform community service

  • By the end of the year, you should have visited all college campuses you plan on applying to.

  • The club team coach needs to be in contact and promote you to college coaches.

  • Coaches need to see you play at showcases and college ID Clinics.

  • Continue to attend Extra Sessions/Skills/Private lessons

 

 

SENIOR YEAR

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  • Early Decision – are you ready to commit, are they willing to commit to you?  You could know as early as October.

  • Finalize your college list, you should apply to at least five colleges

  • Students are allowed up to 3 days to visit college campuses.  College visitation days do not count as abscesses for exam purposes, however you need a permission slip from admissions.  

  • Improve your grades and ACT and or SAT scores.

  • Prepare and submit application packages.

    • A deadline is a deadline

  • Visit The FACTS.org

  • Meet with your High School counselor

  • Continue to attend Extra Sessions/Skills/Private lessons

Senior Monthly Checklist

September

  • Meet counselor; discuss college plans, test results, courses 

  • Attend college, career, scholarship, and financial aid fairs 

  • Register early for the SAT I, ACT and SAT II tests 

  • Consider applying to early-decision colleges 

  • Finalize a list of colleges ranging from easy entry to competitive 

  • Request application materials from a list of selected colleges 

  • Visit colleges when opportunities arise 

  • Continue researching scholarship and financial aid sources 

  • Pay attention to important dates, deadlines, requirements 

  • Maintain high effort in coursework, clubs, and activities

October

  • Begin work on college admissions applications 

  • Give recommendation forms to teachers 

  • Start writing essays for each college application 

  • Have your high school send transcripts to each college 

  • Finalize Early Decision application 

  • Take or retake the SAT I, ACT and SAT II tests 

  • Request scholarship applications, financial aid materials 

  • If necessary, schedule and prepare for college interviews

November

  • Submit an Early Decision application, usually by Nov 1 or 15 

  • Continue completing your college admissions applications 

  • Continue completing scholarship applications 

  • Continue researching alternative financial aid sources

December

  • If necessary take or retake SAT I, ACT, and /or SAT II tests 

  • Review and finalize essays and applications 

  • Submit college applications by mail or online 

  • Submit scholarship applications by mail or online 

  • Request federal and state aid applications and forms 

  • If accepted early, withdraw applications to other schools

January

  • Submit federal and state financial aid forms and applications 

  • Have your high school send mid-year transcripts to each college 

  • Verify all college application materials have been submitted

February

  • Confirm all documents have been received by each college

March-April

  • Arrival of decision letters 

  • Visit colleges, talk to students, faculty 

  • Discuss college options with counselor, friends, and family 

  • Evaluate financial aid packages 

  • Make a final decision; send a notification, usually by May 1 

  • Inform other schools you will not be attending

May-Summer

  • Have the high school send the final transcript 

  • Send thank you notes to individuals who helped

 

 

IMPORTANT WEBSITES

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PSAT:  https://www.collegeboard.org/psat-nmsqt

SAT:  http://sat.collegeboard.org

ACT: http://www.actstudent.org

NCAA Clearinghouse & Clearing House: https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/

Grants: http://www.collegescholarships.org/grants/

College Fit Finder: http://www.collegefitfinder.com

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DESIGNED BY INLAND SURF 2024

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