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What does it mean to be College Ready? 
ACT defines college readiness as the acquisition of the knowledge and skills a student needs to enroll and succeed in credit-bearing, first year courses at a post secondary institution (such as a two- year, four-year, trade school, or technical school) without the need for remediation. 

ACT's definition of college readiness was adopted by the Common Core State Standards Initiative and provides a unifying goal upon which educators and policymakers must now act. 
Students who  meet ACT's College Readiness Benchmarks are:
  • substantially more likely to enroll in college
  • less likely to need remediation
  • more likely to achieve a grade of B or higher in specific college courses
  • more likely to re-enroll in the same post-secondary institution their second year
  • more likely to persist to degree completion
College Readiness Standards
  • Help to interpret what the scores earned in EXPLORE, PLAN and the ACT mean
  • Identify the knowledge and skills students are likely to demonstrate at various score levels on each academic test
  • Serve as a direct link between what students have learned and what they are ready to learn next
  *Source:  ACT.org

High School College Planning
Steps for becoming College Ready
9th Grade Goals:
  • Start planning early so that you are better prepared.
  • Begin a college savings account.
  • Keep track of courses and grades.
  • Be mindful that colleges will look at grades from 9th-12th grades.
  • Learn about college entrance requirements.
  • Create a file for report cards, awards, honors, school and community activities, and volunteer work.

10th Grade Goals:
  • Prepare to take the PSAT test.
  • Get involved in clubs, sports, community service, and other extracurricular activities.
  • Consider the reasons you like different colleges such as programs, location, cost, size.
  • Tour colleges of interest.
  • Consider taking more challenging courses such as honors, advanced level courses, and AP.

11th Grade Goals:
  • Be mindful that colleges look closely at junior year grades.
  • Challenge yourself academically.
  • Take ACT/SAT http://actstudent.org;  http://sat.collegeboard.org
  • Attend college fairs.
  • Visit colleges to tour their campus and learn more about program offerings.
  • Know admission requirements to colleges of interest.
  • Find a summer job or internship in field of interest.

12th Grade Goals:
  • Review courses, graduation requirements, and scholarship information with your school counselor. 
  • Update resume.
  • Write college admissions essays early to be reviewed by teachers.
  • Ask teachers and counselors for letters of recommendations.  
  • Make transcript request early and follow up. 
  • Complete college applications
  • Be prepared for Early Decision Replies Dec. 1-Dec. 31.
  • Complete the college financial aid application and FAFSA between Jan. 1-Feb. 15.
  • Make sure your parents have completed their income tax returns.
  • Be prepared to hear from colleges by Spring.
  • Decide on a college and accept before college deadline. 
  • Prepare to take exams for AP and college-level courses.
  • Determine when fees for tuition and room and board are due and how much they will cost.
  • Learn about student health insurance in case of an emergency.
  • Prepare for college placement exams.

College Freshmen Goals:
  • Consider your skills, values, and interests and how these connect to careers.
  • Learn about internship opportunities through your college campus career center.
  • Join clubs and organizations -- get involved.
  • Keep your resume up-to-date by including awards, scholarships, relevant courses, and workshops. Your career center can help.
  • Develop relationships with your professors.
  • Meet with your advisor and be certain you are taking the right courses for your degree.
  • Consider your academic schedule before making a part-time job commitment.
  • Attend college career fairs.
  • Use free electives to try out courses of interest.
  • Think of the best way to spend your summer and strengthen your resume.
 *Source: College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC)

Did you know that nearly 90% of the fastest growing jobs in the US require some form of education beyond high school? 

College Foundation of North Carolina (CFNC)
Plan apply and pay for college.  CFNC is a free service of the State of North Carolina that provides comprehensive college and career planning resources; electronic applications and transcripts accepted by all 110 North Carolina colleges and universities; and, information on student financial aid and college affordability.  www.cfnc.org 

North Carolina Community College System (NCCCS)
To research NC Community Colleges, Degree Programs, Distance Learning Opportunities and read Success Stories visit the NC Community College website: http://www.nccommunitycolleges.edu/about-us/main-campuses 
 
North Carolina Universities & Colleges 
 Research the sixteen NC institutions that grant baccalaureate degrees at http://www.northcarolina.edu.  
Learn about:
  • the online application process
  • programs and degrees
  • certificate programs
  • campus profiles

FAFSA
Complete a FREE Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by visiting the website: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.  Also learn about deadlines, your college’s school codes, and other options for filing your FAFSA. 

College Resources
ACT - www.act.org 
College Foundation of North Carolina - www.cfnc.org
College Board / SAT - www.collegeboard.org
College View - http://www.collegeview.com
The Common Application - www.commonapp.org
First in the Family - www.firstinthefamily.org
Princeton Review - www.princetonreview.com
Big Future - bigfuture.collegeboard.org