November To Do List
Grade Level To Do List, Advice & Resources
November Grade-Level College & Career Checklist
Use the October Grade-Level College & Career Checklist below to find recommended tasks, helpful resources, and tips tailored to your grade level. From building strong academic habits and exploring careers to preparing for college applications, testing, financial aid, and scholarships, small steps now can make a big difference later.
📌 Scroll to your grade level below and get started!
Grade Level To Do List, Advice & Resources
9th-Graders | Explore, Get Involved & Build Good Habits
Check your academic progress: Review your first-quarter grades and identify areas where you can improve before the semester ends. Reach out to teachers, attend tutoring, and build strong study habits.
Discover your interests: Log in to CaliforniaColleges.edu using your AUSD Google account. Complete a career or interest assessment and explore careers that match your strengths and interests.
Get involved at school: Join a club, sport, volunteer activity, or school organization. Try something new and discover activities you enjoy!
Start building your resume: Keep track of your activities, awards, volunteer hours, leadership experiences, and accomplishments. You'll be glad you started early!
Explore CTE & Early College pathways: Learn about the Career Technical Education (CTE) and Early College Program opportunities at your high school. Consider how these programs connect to your interests and future goals.
Explore college campuses: Take advantage of AUSD college and career field trips to begin learning about different college environments and opportunities.
Helpful Resources & Activities
Four-Year Course Planner: Review your graduation and college entrance requirements. Start planning courses for the next four years.
Big Five Personality Assessment: Learn about your personality, strengths, and communication style and how they may connect to different careers.
College Application & Admissions Timeline: See what you can do each year of high school to prepare for college.
College & Career Field Trips Bulletin: Explore upcoming campus visits and career exploration opportunities.
Build healthy routines: Prioritize sleep, exercise, time management, and a healthy balance between schoolwork and personal activities.
10th-Graders | Explore Careers & Strengthen Your Pathway
Check your grades and academic goals: Review your progress before the semester ends. Focus on improving grades, developing effective study strategies, and staying on track with graduation and A–G requirements.
Explore careers and majors: Use CaliforniaColleges.edu to research career clusters, educational requirements, and majors connected to your interests.
Build meaningful experiences: Look for opportunities to volunteer, participate in clubs, take on leadership roles, or explore internships and career-related activities.
Research colleges: Begin comparing UC, CSU, private universities, community colleges, and other postsecondary options. Think about what type of college environment might be a good fit for you.
Explore Early College opportunities: Learn how Early College Program courses may help you earn college credit, explore academic interests, or get a head start on college coursework.
Attend college and career field trips: Visiting campuses and career sites can help you better understand your options and discover new interests.
Helpful Resources & Activities
YouScience Aptitude & Career Discovery: Discover your natural strengths and explore careers that align with your abilities and interests.
Virtual College Tours: Explore college campuses through student-created videos and get a feel for campus life.
College Application & Admissions Timeline: Learn what you can do now to prepare for junior and senior year.
College & Career Field Trips Bulletin: Check upcoming college tours and career exploration experiences.
Update your activities list: Keep track of extracurricular activities, awards, volunteer hours, work experience, and accomplishments.
11th-Graders | Build Your College List & Prepare for Senior Year
Review your academic progress: Junior-year grades matter! Check your progress toward graduation and A–G requirements, and develop a plan to finish the semester strong.
Start building your college list: Use CaliforniaColleges.edu to research and compare colleges based on majors, location, size, cost, admission requirements, and campus environment.
Research admission requirements: Learn about the differences between UC, CSU, private university, and community college admissions. Check whether schools require or consider SAT/ACT scores.
Explore scholarships and financial aid: Begin learning about the FAFSA, California Dream Act Application (CADAA), grants, scholarships, and other ways to pay for college.
Update your resume: Organize your extracurricular activities, leadership experiences, community service, work experience, awards, and accomplishments.
Consider Early College courses: Explore opportunities to earn college credit and take classes connected to your academic or career interests.
Attend college presentations and campus tours: Ask questions about admissions, majors, student life, and financial aid. Take notes about what you like and dislike at each school.
Start thinking about recommendation letters: Build positive relationships with teachers and counselors who may be able to support future college or scholarship applications.
Helpful Resources & Activities
How to Create a College List: Use this guide and tracking spreadsheet to begin organizing colleges you're interested in.
How to Research Colleges Without Visiting: Discover ways to research schools virtually.
BigFuture by College Board: Explore colleges, careers, scholarships, and college planning tools.
Understanding Test-Optional Admissions: Learn how standardized testing policies may affect your application strategy.
College & Career Field Trips Bulletin: Explore upcoming campus visits, including UCLA and Azusa Pacific University/Citrus College in December.
Start a college planning folder: Save your college research, activities list, awards, potential majors, and questions for college representatives.
12th-Graders | Submit Applications & Complete Financial Aid
November is a BIG month for seniors! College application deadlines are approaching, and now is the time to finalize applications, complete financial aid forms, and stay organized.
Submit your UC and CSU applications: The standard UC application deadline and CSU priority application deadline for Fall 2027 are November 30, 2026. Aim to submit early to avoid last-minute technical issues. Confirm individual campus and program deadlines.
Review Common App and private college deadlines: Check Early Action, Early Decision, and Regular Decision deadlines. Some early deadlines fall in November, while others extend into December or January.
Complete your 2027–2028 FAFSA or CADAA: Gather your financial information, create the required accounts, and begin completing the appropriate financial aid application. Check college-specific and state priority deadlines.
Attend AUSD College Application & Financial Aid Night: Join us on Thursday, November 5, 2026, at Alhambra High School! The general presentation begins at 4:45 PM, followed by hands-on application support during lab hours from 5:00–7:00 PM. Bring your AUSD-issued laptop or Chromebook.
Finalize and proofread your applications: Double-check your academic history, extracurricular activities, personal information, essays, and supplemental responses before submitting.
Request recommendation letters and transcripts: If required by your colleges, confirm that your teachers and counselors have everything they need to submit supporting documents on time.
Apply for scholarships: Check the AUSD Scholarship Bulletin regularly. Don't wait until spring—many scholarship opportunities have deadlines throughout the school year.
Check your email and application portals: After submitting applications, watch for confirmation emails, college portal invitations, and requests for additional documents.
Stay on top of your grades: Colleges may review your senior-year academic performance. Continue attending classes, completing assignments, and maintaining strong grades.
Ask for support: Visit your College & Career Center or counseling office for assistance with applications, financial aid, scholarships, and next steps.
Helpful Resources & Activities
UC Application: Complete and submit your UC application by November 30.
Cal State Apply: Complete your CSU applications and verify campus-specific deadlines.
Common Application: Apply to participating private and out-of-state colleges and track application requirements.
FAFSA: Complete the 2027–2028 FAFSA if eligible.
California Dream Act Application: Explore California state financial aid eligibility and complete the CADAA if applicable.
CSS Profile: Check whether your colleges require this additional financial aid application.
College Application Fee Waivers: Find out whether you qualify for application fee waivers.
UC Personal Insight Questions: Review tips and guidance for completing your UC responses.
Supplemental Essay Guides: Get help with college-specific supplemental essays.
Scholarship Search – BigFuture: Explore scholarship opportunities and keep track of deadlines.
College & Career Field Trips Bulletin: Explore upcoming college visits. Priority may be given to seniors applying to participating campuses.
Important November Reminders
November 5: AUSD College Application & Financial Aid Night at Alhambra High School
November 13: UC Riverside Campus Tour
November 30: Standard UC application deadline and CSU priority application deadline for Fall 2027
December 2: UCLA Campus Tour
December 3: Azusa Pacific University & Citrus College Field Trip
Application deadlines and requirements may vary by college, program, and student circumstances. Always confirm details directly with each institution and check with your school counseling office or College & Career Center for additional guidance.