Planning for College

Fall of Junior Year

• Take PSAT, listen to announcements for registration at KPHS. This test is only offered once a year in the fall. Check "yes" on Student Search Service. Sign up for the free account. Get schedule for SAT/ACT tests.

• Attend College Night, a college fair with representatives from throughout the  United States, Check the KPHS website for day/time, Humble Civic Center. (generally early October)

• Brainstorm lists of what you want/need from a college/university. (Academic challenge, size, location, price, extra curricular activities)

• Check out The College Board"s "Big Future", "Bridges" and other online search programs and make a list of schools that match your criteria.

• Determine what is needed to gain admission to the colleges of your choice.

• Make a folder for colleges. make note cards, save information, jot down any passwords you generate. Work on a portfolio if you are interested in the arts. Keep track of writing samples.

• LEARN ABOUT FINANCIAL AID. 

• Visit with College Representatives.

• Plan college visits during the school year. You get 2 visit day junior and senior year. See an admission officer, tour campus housing, seek out financial aid information.

• For athletes, send coaches a letter of interest, an athletic resume and a play schedule before your "season."

• Interested in a military academy? check your representatives website to see what you need to obtain a nomination.

• THIS IS THE YEAR THAT COUNTS!!!!

• READ, READ, READ.

• Get involved in various activities. Seek leadership positions. Volunteer and keep track of volunteer hours.

Spring of Junior Year

• Take college entrance exams. (SAT or ACT) 
  Registration is available online and ACT Website. 

• APPLY NOW if interested in a Military Academy.

• Student-athletes register with the NCAA Clearinghouse if you plan to participate in NCAA Sports in college.

Spring Break/Summer

• Visit Colleges, talk to college students.

• Request college applications, generally links available on the college's admission page.

• Ensure high school course selections meet the college admissions requirements.

• Make sure you are lined up for High School graduation.

• Take credit by examination if needed.

All Year/ Senior Year

• Visit College/Career Resource Center. Visit college admission webages, gather information about colleges. See our Internet Links for informative college search sites.

• Visit with college representatives that visit our school. Representatives will often have informational meetings in Houston, you may want to attend these as well. Recruiter visits are posted on the KPHS webpage.

• Listen to announcements.

• Begin applications for college. (ApplyTexas opens on the July 1 before your senior year.) Be sure to allow plenty of time for teacher recommendations, and to have a transcript sent.

• Check out the KPHS scholarship page, scholarship search engines.

September- December

• Check for Scholarship deadlines for all the schools to which you are applying. (Many deadlines are as soon as December 1st, and you may apply before being accepted by the school). 

• Apply for on-campus housing at all colleges to which you are applying.

September/October

• Take college entrance exams if needed. Retake them if needed to meet minimum scores for the college you wish to attend.

• Attend College Night, a college fair with representatives from all over.

October 1

• Apply for the FAFSA  

January-May

• Inform counselor of any financial awards, scholarships, grants, etc. received. This information is very important for your graduation program and ceremony.

• Take TSI exam if needed (a college placement exam required by Texas public colleges) You may be exempt, check with your admissions office.

April

• Complete all correspondence courses.

May

• Make arrangements with KPHS registrar, located in the counselors office to send final transcript to your college.