“Education is our passport to the future, for tomorrow is for those who prepare for it today.”
- Malcolm X
by Ruben Britt, Jr.

Gone are the days when people could graduate from high school, get a job at the local plant or factory, work for 25-30 years and then retire and get the gold watch. Today’s workers must be armed with the necessary skills that will enable them to survive in an ever-changing world. Those individuals that lack professional or vocational skills will most likely find themselves unemployed or in menial or dead-end jobs. Throughout my travels, I constantly hear some of our young brothers and sisters saying, “I want to get paid.” My usual response to that demand is what kind of skills do you have to get paid? The bottom line is, you will need to come to the bargaining table with something more than just being a hard worker. Employers want to know what you can offer to them and what sets you apart from the other candidates. Recognizing the importance of having a profession, you will need to begin the career planning process as early as your freshman year. You will need to decide which college to attend and put your plan into action!

Planning To Go To College?
If you are planning to attend college, there are certain steps that you must take to help prepare you for that opportunity.

Freshman Year

• Develop a list of courses that you plan to take to help prepare you for college. This may require you and your parents to meet with your guidance counselor.
• Develop a list of school and outside activities you plan to participate in. Aside from academic standing, class rank and standardized test scores, college recruiters look for school and community activities.
• Read books, magazines, newspapers or anything that you can get your hands on, because it helps build your vocabulary.
• Get a summer or part-time job and set aside money regularly for your college education.

Sophomore Year
Meet with your guidance counselor and find out what resources are available in the guidance office. Update your plans for college prep courses that are available. Plan for the PSAT/NMSQT tests in October. Remember, practice makes perfect. Update your activity list.

Junior Year

*Identify sources of information from guidance counselors, college guidebooks, college fairs or the Internet.

*Register for the PSAT. If you score well on the PSAT, you may be eligible for scholarships and awards.

*Review your high school courses and activity plans.

*Schedule an appointment with your guidance counselor and include your parents.

*Develop a list of career interests.

*List the college features that interest you. Example: size of college, location, state/private, cost or diversity.

*Plan to take the SAT I/ACT.

*Familiarize yourself to college costs and discuss it with your parents.

*If you have been successful academically, talk to your guidance counselor about advance level classes.

*Create a preliminary list of the colleges that you are interested in.

*Identify recommendations for college applications.

*Conduct research for financial aid resources.

*Re-enforce your career goals by forming a positive mind set.

*Memorize your social security number. You will need to include it on admission, financial aid and scholarship applications.

Senior Year
Your senior year is the final piece of the puzzle for applying to college. It’s during this time period that many students feel overwhelmed. The following steps are monthly activities for helping you through the application process.

September

• It is important that you develop plans to take the SAT I/ACT early.
• Develop a list of two to 10 colleges to which you would like to apply.
• Go to your school library or guidance office and look up the schools of your choice. Ask your guidance counselor for help. Also, you may research this information at your local community college or check the Internet at www.petersons.com.
• Locate a SAT/ACT preparatory course/class to help you study for the SAT/ACT. Also, there are a number of computer software materials available that have SAT/ACT preparatory programs that you can purchase at a reasonable price. Make sure that the software programs are approved by a creditable organization. This information can be found on the cover of the package.
• Talk to your parents or guardians regarding the cost of college, and how much they may be able to contribute.

October
Take the first SAT/ACT that is being offered this month. Start developing an essay outline for your admission application. Target the individuals that you plan to ask for recommendations and ask them immediately. Make plans to visit the colleges of your choice. Find out if they have open house programs or campus tours. There are a number of organizations nationally that sponsor tours for individuals who are interested in attending Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU). You may need to contact the local black professional organizations or
community action agencies to obtain this information. Check sources for financial aid from the library, guidance counselors, private programs, the Internet, and the financial aid office at the local community college. Start completing financial aid applications promptly. A number of these sources have early deadlines.

November

• Find out what financial aid forms each college requires you to submit (FAFSA; CSS Profile Form).
• It is important to note that early decision applications are expected in the admissions office by November 1-15.
• Begin filling out your early action and rolling admissions applications.
• Make sure that your transcript is returned to your guidance counselor.
• Complete your first draft of your admissions application essay.

December
Complete your admissions essay. It should be neat, grammatically correct and interesting. Have someone who is familiar with admissions essays proofread it (teacher, guidance counselor).
Check the deadlines for state and federal government aid programs and obtain the required forms. Begin completing the FAFSA form. Make sure that you give the guidance office at your high school adequate time to complete the high school report section of the admissions application.

Make sure that all of the college admissions applications are neat and accurate. You should read through all applications first before completing them. They are a reflection of you.

January

• Check college application deadlines and make sure that you are on schedule. There is no excuse for being late.
• Send in your FAFSA form, as soon as possible.

February

• Relax and focus on your classes. Try to finish your senior year strong.
• If you were not satisfied with your SAT/ACT scores, you should have made plans to retake the test this month.

March
If needed, register for the Advanced Placement Examinations (A/P). It is important to note that you should register for the A/P exams only if you think that you can pass them.

April

• A number of colleges announce their admissions decisions in April.
• After you have received your acceptance letters, rank your top 10 choices.
• Review your financial aid offers and check to see how much of your need is covered.
• If the financial aid package does not meet your need, find out if there are other plans available.

May

• Notify the college of your acceptance immediately after May 1st.
• Contact the Financial Student Aid Information Center (FAFSA: 1-800-433-3242) of your acceptance and have them process your financial aid package as soon as possible.
• If you have not been admitted to any college, contact your guidance counselor immediately.

June

• It is important to note that you should make sure that you accept the financial aid package of the school that you decide to attend.
• Check and find out if you need any additional information to establish and maintain your eligibility for financial aid.
• Exhale, relax and enjoy the summer.

______________________________________________________________________________
Ruben Britt, Jr. is the assistant director of the Career and Academic Planning Center at Rowan University in Glassboro, New Jersey.