Planning Guide for Grades 7-12
A Guide for Parents and Other Adults Who Work With Students
VSAC publishes an information guide that provides the basic information you’ll need to help children succeed in middle school, high school, and beyond.
The guide is divided into several sections. You can download the entire guide or pick specific sections.
The Web version is identical to the print version, so you can get the most current copy of any of the pages here on our Web site.
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Planning for College: A Guide for Grades 7-12 — an information guide for parents and other adults who work with students.
Complete Guide (PDF — 37 pages)Specific Sections with page numbers:
- Getting Started
- Getting Started (PDF, p. 1-2) — types of colleges & degrees, terms to know
- College Admissions Criteria (PDF, p. 3)
- Four-Year High School Plan (PDF, p. 4) — comparison chart of requirements for Vermont high school graduation and college admission
- Paying for College (PDF, p. 5-7)
- Setting Career Goals
- Exploring Careers (PDF, p. 8) — self-exploration checklist
- Grades 7 & 8 (PDF, p.9) — student/parent task lists
- Grades 9 & 10 (PDF, p. 10-11) — student/parent task lists
- Preparing for College
- Grade 11 (PDF, p.12) — student/parent task lists
- Standardized Tests: SAT & ACT (PDF, p. 13-15) — types of standardized tests, SAT vs. ACT
- College Search (PDF, p. 16-18) — college fairs, factors to consider when comparing colleges
- Getting into College
- Grade 12 (PDF, p. 19) — student/parent task lists
- College Visit (PDF, p. 20) — arranging a visit, interviewing, what to see on campus
- Applying to College (PDF, p. 21-23) — application timeline, letters of recommendation, the essay
- Choosing a College Major (PDF, p. 24) — narrowing the choice
- Gap Year (PDF, p. 25) — taking a break between high school and college
- Checklists & Worksheets
- Finding a Career That’s Right for You: Middle School (PDF, p. 26)
- Finding a Career That’s Right for You: High School (PDF, p. 27)
- Career Interest Checklist (PDF, p. 28-29)
- Personality and Values Worksheet (PDF, p. 30)
- College Admissions Checklist (PDF, p. 31)
- Financial Aid Checklist (PDF, p. 32)
- Questions to Ask Admissions Staff (PDF, p. 33)
- College Comparison Chart (PDF, p. 34)
