October To Do List

9th-graders

Discover your interests: Log in to CaliforniaColleges.edu with your AUSD Google account and complete a career or interest assessment. Explore careers that match your results.
Start building your resume: Keep track of clubs, sports, volunteering, leadership, awards, hobbies, and other experiences. Your resume starts long before senior year!
Explore your options: Learn about the CTE and Early College Program pathways available at your high school and how they connect to different careers and college majors.
Plan ahead: Review your high school course plan and make sure you're building a strong academic foundation while meeting graduation and college requirements.
College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade.
Four-Year Course Planner: Make sure you stay on track for both high school and college requirements by filling out this planner each semester. Review the graduation requirements for each subject area and the different course levels offered. The more selective the college, the more it will want to see you go above and beyond the minimum requirements.
Big 5 Personality Assessment: Learn more about your strengths, challenges, and communication and learning styles.

If your counseling office uses MaiaLearning, take a look at the self-assessment options and give them a try.
If your counseling office uses Scoir, start your YouScience assessment in the app.

Build healthy routines: Prioritize sleep, healthy food choices and exercise. Stronger physical health = stronger mental health, increased focus and better decision-making skills.

10th-graders

Explore careers & majors: Use CaliforniaColleges.edu to explore career clusters and majors connected to your interests. Save careers and programs you'd like to learn more about.
Build your experiences: Look for ways to develop your interests through clubs, volunteering, leadership, employment, internships, or other activities.
Explore colleges: Use college search tools, attend college presentations, and take advantage of campus visits or field trips when available.
Consider Early College: Explore Early College Program courses that can help you earn college credit, complete general education requirements, or explore a potential career pathway.

College App & Admissions Timeline: This timeline and set of resources track the college search and application process from 9th through 12th grade.
YouScience Aptitudes Test: What are you good at? Take this online assessment, which uses a combination of personality, interest, and aptitudes testing to help you explore careers that might be a good fit. Or, if your counseling office uses Naviance, try the Do What You Are assessment.
Virtual college tours: Curious about what college is all about, but not feeling ready for an in-person visit? Have fun searching through these student-driven virtual college tours.

11th-graders

Start building your college list: Use CaliforniaColleges.edu's college search and comparison tools to research schools based on majors, location, size, cost, admission requirements, and other factors important to you.
Update your resume: Organize your activities, leadership, employment, volunteer experience, awards, accomplishments, and other experiences from high school.
Explore colleges more deeply: Attend college presentations, campus tours, and field trips. Ask questions and keep track of what you like—and don't like—about different schools.
Learn about paying for college: Begin exploring scholarships and financial aid so you understand your options before senior year.
Consider Early College: Look for opportunities to earn college credit and explore subjects related to potential majors or careers.

PSAT: Take the exam and get a feel for what SAT Test Day will be like. Your score will help highlight your test-taking strengths and areas for improvement, and will inform your test-prep plan moving forward.
How to create a college list (with tracking spreadsheet): Use this guide and organizing tool to begin building a list of schools that you’re excited about.
How to research schools without visiting a campus: You don’t need to step on a college campus to begin researching schools. Here are four resources that will show you how.
Going test optional: What is it? Confused about whether or not test scores matter? Here’s an overview of what you need to know.
FairTest: Looking for a comprehensive list of colleges and universities with test-optional admission policies? Here you go.
Dealing with learning differences? Researching the available support services and programs will be a critical part of your list building. Learn the differences between accommodations in high school and services offered at colleges.

12th-graders

Work on college applications: October is application season! Continue working on UC, CSU, Common App, community college, and other applications based on your college list.
Use CaliforniaColleges.edu: Keep your college list organized and use its college, application, career, and financial aid planning resources throughout senior year.
Know your deadlines: Create a calendar or tracker for application, Early Action/Early Decision, scholarship, financial aid, and supplemental-material deadlines.
Don't rush your applications: Review every section carefully, proofread essays and responses, and give yourself time to get help before submitting.
Apply for scholarships: Check the AUSD Scholarship Bulletin regularly and keep track of eligibility requirements and deadlines.
Connect with colleges: Attend college presentations and communicate with admission representatives to learn more about majors, financial aid, campus life, and the application process.
Ask for help: Your College & Career Center is here to support you throughout application season.

How to Decide Whether to Apply Early Decision or Early Action: Double-check your ED/EA deadlines—some fall as early as October 15th. Note that some school-based scholarships require that you apply by the early deadline.
University of California and CSU: For those of you applying to the UC and CSU systems, the applications are due on November 30th.
FAFSA + CSS PROFILE: Start filling out these forms to make sure to meet the deadlines set by the colleges on your list.
College Application Fee Waivers: Find out if you qualify for fee waivers and, if so, how to get them.
Resource guide for low-income students or those experiencing homelessness: Learn more about college costs, financial aid, and available services.
Supplemental essay responses: If you’re applying to schools that require additional essays beyond the main personal statement, this is a must-read.
Interview with colleges that offer them: Depending on the school, you can either sign up on its website or respond to an invitation it sends via email.
Demonstrated interest: Remember that it’s important to let the colleges on your list know that you’re really interested in attending their schools. Keep connecting with college representatives when they visit your school, your community, or via virtual sessions online.
Research scholarships: Continue to research scholarship opportunities, making special note of requirements and deadlines.

Grade Level To Do List, Advice & Resources