Four Year Timeline

First Semester

• Welcome to Gulf Shores High School!
• Meet your counselor.
• Get involved in clubs, sports, or fine arts, just GET INVOLVED!

• Attend College Fairs or job shadow to help explore careers.

• Develop study skills and time management strategies.
• Study for finals and finish strong!

Second Semester

• Meet with your counselor to plan your schedule and register for Sophomore year.

• Plan to attend Student/Parent Night Dual Enrollment Meeting
• Consider volunteer opportunities both at GSHS and in the community.
• Stay focused! Your grades matter!
• Take the PSAT. You will register at school.
• Take AP exams for courses in which you may be enrolled.
• Study for finals and finish strong!

First Semester

• Focus on achieving, getting good grades, study skills, and working hard.

• If you haven’t gotten involved in clubs, sports, or fine arts yet, GET INVOLVED!!

• If you are interested in being a college athlete, meet with your coach and athletic director.

• Take advantage of long weekends or non-attendance days to visit colleges.

• Prepare for first semester finals.

• Plan your schedule for Junior year. If you are college-bound, verify the admission requirements of the colleges in which you are interested.

Second Semester

• Meet with your counselor to register for your Junior year classes.

• Explore summer programs, courses on college campuses, work experiences, volunteer or travel opportunities.

• Plan some college visits over the summer.

• Plan to attend Student/Parent Night Dual Enrollment  and AP Meetings.

• Attend college fairs.

• Take the PSAT 10. You will register at school.

• Register to take AP exams for courses in which you may be enrolled.

• Study for finals and finish strong!

First Semester

• Make this year count! Junior year grades are very important!

• If you are college-bound, verify the admission requirements of the colleges in which you are interested to make sure you are taking the right courses!

• Activate Parchment, if it isn't already. Begin to 'Follow' college and universities.

• Make a list of colleges in which you are most interested (3-6 schools).

• Check the website of the colleges on your list to see which entrance exams (usually ACT or SAT) are preferred for admission. You may view college catalogs by visiting the college website(s) online. Entrance requirements for all colleges are found on college websites.

• Stay involved in extracurricular activities and community service. Make an impact!

• Use Parchment to research colleges, careers, and majors.

• If you are interested in being a college athlete, meet with your coach and athletic director.

• IMPORTANT: Visit with college representatives throughout the fall. Register in Parchment.

• Ask yourself questions about your future. What should I do after high school? Where should I go to school? Where will I be admitted? 

• Attend College Fairs in the area. 

• Take advantage of long weekends or non-attendance days to visit colleges.

• Check your high school grades and courses to see if they conform to the requirements for admission listed on the college websites. Make an appointment with your counselor if you need assistance.

• Take the PSAT. You will register at school.

• Attend information sessions.

• If it is at all possible, you should visit the colleges you are considering. College visits may be scheduled by contacting the Admissions Office or by registering online. The institution you choose will be your college home for four years, so it will be most helpful to thoroughly investigate your options.

• Prepare for first semester finals.

• Plan your schedule for Senior year. If you are college-bound, verify the admission requirements of the colleges in which you are interested. 

Second Semester

• Register for senior classes. Remember to take at least four core classes (English, social studies, math, science, foreign language) each semester.

• Develop your testing timeline with your parents and/or counselor or college advisor and determine whether you will take a national SAT, ACT or both. You will be registered to take the state SAT.

• Plan for your summer. 

• Register for AP exams, if applicable.

• Attend College Fairs.

• Continue to investigate colleges.

• Plan college visits for spring break and summer vacation.  

• Sign up for SAT subject tests if they are required by the colleges on your list.

• Take the State SAT which will be offered.

• Register for the national ACT, SAT or SAT Subject Tests, if appropriate.

• Visit colleges, if you haven't already.

• Build your college list. Remember to include a "foundation school", a college that is a strong fit for you where you are assured admission. Complete a college search in Parchment, if you haven't already. 

• Request a teacher recommendation(s) in person, if needed, and if you have not done so already.  Give your teacher AT LEAST three weeks to complete the letter. Remember-most colleges require only one teacher recommendation, if any.

• If you plan to be a college athlete, contact coaches at the schools in which you are interested and ask about their programs and athletic scholarships.

• Register and take the ACT and/or SAT. Most colleges require one of these tests as criteria for admission. You may find test and deadline dates, register for tests, and view practice questions on-line at www.act.org and/or http://www.collegeboard.org. 

• Take the SAT and/or AP tests, if appropriate.

• Narrow college choices through research, campus visits, talks with your counselor, college counselor and parents.

• Begin filling out your applications in the summer before your senior year. Some applications are quite lengthy and involve a great deal of time and thought. When requesting letters of recommendation or forms to be completed, provide teachers with electronics links or stamped, addressed envelopes to the colleges. Submit requests, forms and envelopes to teachers, counselor or other school official at least FOUR WEEKS PRIOR TO MAIL DEADLINE. Before submitting the forms to counselor/teacher, complete the student part of the form that usually includes a section on your rights to see the completed form. Read the directions carefully. Be sure to write your teacher a thank you note.

• Get a jump-start on summer activities. Work, find an internship, volunteer, take a class.

Summer and Fall Senior Year

• TRANSCRIPTS: Request official transcripts through Parchment.

• Most colleges now have applications online and prefer that you apply electronically. Many colleges accept the Common Application which may be accessed through Parchment.

• Some colleges require a medical examination as part of the application process. Your family physician can give you the physical examination and complete the required form.

First Semester
College Applications:

• A copy of your Unofficial Transcript will be uploaded to Scoir.  Use it to complete college applications.  Make sure you are on track to graduate.
• Attend the Senior Class Meeting with your counselor. Important information related to your application process will be shared.
• Attend the mandatory Senior Transcript Workshops.
• Continue to use Parchment to narrow your list of colleges and investigate application requirements.
• Meet with your counselor to discuss your college applications and recommendation letters.  Give your counselor AT LEAST three weeks to complete their letter of recommendation, if it is required by your colleges.
• Request a teacher recommendation(s) in person, if needed, and if you have not done so already.  Give your teacher AT LEAST three weeks to complete the letter. Remember-most colleges require only one teacher recommendation, if any. Add your teacher's name in Parchment. 
• Meet with college representatives when they visit the GSHS.  This is an extremely important opportunity to meet with the person who will read your application. Register for rep visits in Parchment.
• Work on your college essay.
• Visit colleges in which you are interested!
• Attend college fairs.
• Complete Early Action, Early Decision, and Priority applications for deadlines.
• Send ACT/SAT scores to the colleges to which you will be applying, if you have not already reported the scores. 
• Final exams are in December! Budget your time well when completing college applications and studying for finals.

Once you start applying to college:

• Move your college/university's tile to 'Applied' in Parchment
• Fill out the Transcript Request Form. Check Parchment periodically to confirm that the Registrar has sent your requested documents.
• Plan ahead for campus visits during GSHS non-attendance days.
• Be aware of January application deadlines. 

Financial Aid:

• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), which is required for anyone applying for financial aid.
• Parents should attend the FAFSA Completion Workshop, if they feel they need help.
• Complete the CSS Profile financial aid form, if needed. 
• Check out our CRC website for information on financial aid.
• Watch the GSHS Scholarship Workshop.  Look out for the GSHS Scholarship Program.

Second Semester

• Thank the faculty member(s) and counselor who wrote your letters of recommendation.

• Continue to research and apply for scholarships. Complete GSHS Scholarship Packet.

• If applicable, complete the Mid-Year Transcript Request Form.

• Let your counselor know about your college decisions as they begin to arrive. Update your Decision in Parchment

• Visit or revisit colleges, if undecided.

• Investigate housing options at the schools to which you are accepted. You may deposit for housing at multiple schools, but read the fine print! You may not get a refund if you decide not to attend a college.

• Once you have decided what college you will attend, email your other colleges to inform them that you will not be attending. This opens a spot for someone else!

• Most importantly: Request your final transcript! Instructions will be distributed during second semester senior year.

• Make your final college decision by May 1, the National Candidate Reply Date, and send in your deposit.

• Take AP exams.

• Graduate! CONGRATULATIONS!