Hey everyone! For College Readiness this year we are working with Utahfutures.org. Let’s talk about how to get ready in order to apply for colleges and scholarships. This can/needs to be started in 9th grade. That way when you are a senior you are not scrambling to gather information and remember everything you have done in the past 4 years, since you have been doing a lot of amazing things. Here is a list to help you build your own Portfolio!
Checklists (click on link to print off your own!)
Quick break down of what is included in each checklist
Personal Information Checklist
- Yours and your parents most recent income tax return, W-2 information, and records of untaxed income. This is needed for FASFA and to prove income so you can apply for certain scholarships and fee waivers for various college applications.
- Driver’s License number
- Birth Certificate
- Social Security Number
- Immunization Records (if any)
- Special needs and modifications
Academic Information Checklist
- Sample assignments (some of your best work!)
- Test scores, including TAKS, PSAT/NMSQT, SAT, and ACT
- Teacher or counselor recommendations (remember to give the person writing a letter of recommendation at least 2-3 weeks to put together the letter, you want them to write a good one!)
- Examples of improvement (Example: I got a D in Chemistry but took summer school and was able to understand it more and then get a B+)
- Complete high school transcript, including course grades, GPA and class rank, advanced courses, and diploma date; include college or university transcripts if you have taken dual credits (Talk to your counselor to get this)
- Academic Recognitions
- Academic Camps and summer/college courses
Extracurricular Information Checklist
With these remember to write up a brief description of activities. This way when they ask you about them and ask for a description you already have it all written out! EASY PEASY!
- CLUBS AND ORGANIZATIONS
- STUDENT GOVERNMENT PARTICIPATION
- COMMITTEE MEMBERSHIP
- PARTICIPATION IN SPECIAL INTEREST GROUPS, ATHLETICS, BAND, ETC
- Educational Travel
- Leadership Roles and Comments about Accomplishments
Job History/Community Service Checklist
- Work recommendations and employee evaluations
o Names, Emails, Phone, Addresses
- Community or school sponsored service projects
o Favorite TEAM projects
o The projects you led
o Detailed descriptions
- Special recognition or achievement
o Who gave it to you
o When did you receive it?
o Description on what it was for and how you received it
- Skills learned and reflections on possible career interests
One final thought…..
It is a really good idea to have this all in hard copy format (if you have not received a file folder for these from TEAM talk to Kayla or Katie) AND an electronic file format. Most applications are online now a day and you do not want to rewrite EVERYTHING, EVERYTIME you go to fill out an application. I suggest Googledocs since you have access to them anywhere you are and on any computer. If you need help with this leave a comment and I can help ya. Happy College and Career Planning!
