What to Focus On In Each Grade
9th Grade
9th Grade!!! WELCOME TO LINCOLN!
The most important thing to do in 9th grade is keep your grades up! Sometimes acclimating to high school is difficult. While you are getting used to a new commute, new teachers, and new peers, try not to let your grades slip.
Having trouble? Reach out to your guidance counselor! Stop by the 9th grade Academy room! Check out the tutoring schedule! Tell your teacher you need help!
We are all here to help you do your best.
Extracurriculars- If you are handling the high school workload well, start checking out all of the clubs and sports we have at Lincoln! Get involved!!
Log on to Naviance and start thinking about your strengths, weaknesses, and goal setting. This is usually done during a workshop in your English class.
Take the PSAT! Each spring, we give the PSAT 8/9 to our Freshman so they can begin to prepare for college entrance exams.
READ, READ, READ!
9th Grade College Action Timeline
September:
- Attend Freshman Assemblies.
- Ensure that your program is updated.
- Make a good impression on teachers and administrators this is the first of 4 years all of which matter.
October:
- Set goals for the school year. Examples:
- Doing well academically.
- Joining clubs and organizations.
- Ensure that your goals are reasonable and help your personal growth.
November:
- Start considering summer internships and pre-college programs.
December:
- Start applying for summer.
- Study for finals.
January-February:
- End the first semester strong.
- Take the Regents you're eligible and prepared for.
- Continue applying to summer opportunities.
March:
- College and Conservatory Fair
April-May:
- Make course requests by:
June:
- Finalize summer plans.
- Take career inventory quizzes.
- Asl someone you admire for a treat and ask if they would be willing to mentor you.
Summer:
- Follow through with any summer plans you secured during the school year.
- Read a book.
- Explore local college campuses.
10th Grade
10th Grade! Get involved!
Now is the time to get involved in activities at Lincoln if you haven't already! Join a team or a club! Stop by the COSA office on the second floor near the vending machines. No club you're interested in? Create one!
Keep focusing on your grades! You will have the opportunity to start taking Advanced Placement classes- challenge yourself! If you score at least a 3 on an AP exam there is potential to get college credit for it!
Take advantage of College Now, the free program with CUNY colleges enabling high school students to take college level classes and earn college credit! Ask your guidance counselor for more information!
Log on to Naviance and start researching careers! Read the emails and newsletters sent from the College Office and sign up to meet with college reps who are scheduled to meet with Lincoln students in the library or virtually!
You'll take the PSAT one more time in the spring- it's your last practice test! Next year you take the real thing!
Things to consider: internship programs, plans for summer, volunteerism, summer job
READ, READ, READ
10th Grade College Action Timeline
September:
- Ensure that your program is updated and correct.
- Inquire if the PSAT will be offered at LaGuardia (which sites you can take it at)
- Review for the PSAT
October:
- Take the PSAT to practice college entrance standardized test as well opening consideration for the National Merit Scholarship.
November:
- Research summer opportunities. Complete alumni and friends application for funding for summer programs.
December:
- Focus on maintaining solid academics and finishing the semester strong.
January-February:
- Apply for summer internships, jobs or pre-college programs.
March:
- Schedule a brief appointment with your guidance counselor regarding next year's courses and your academic trajectory. Discuss and inquire with your GC regarding exams you plan to take.
- College and Conservatory Fair.
April-May:
- Review and finalize summer plans, funding, etc.
June:
- Take any AP, Regents exams and SAT that you're scheduled for.
Summer:
- Complete any summer assignments, visit campuses and fairs, complete your internships, jobs or pre-college programs successfully. Create Rapport with instructors and mentors. Use Khan Academy prep for your SAT.
11th Grade
11th Grade! This is it- your time to shine!
Internship Program, Advanced Placement, College Now, Extra-curricular activities, Work Experience, Volunteerism.....now is the time to get involved if you haven't already!
In the fall, you will be invited to attend our annual College and Career Fair.
In the spring semester, there will be monthly college workshops in order to get you ready for the college process. What are colleges looking at for admissions?All the things you've been working on:
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Grades
-
Strength of curriculum
-
SAT/ACT score
-
Extracurricular activities
-
Teacher Recommendations
-
Personal Statement
-
Interview (if applicable)
You will take your SAT in the spring. Most students take it twice. You'll take it once during the school day (we set it up) and once on a Saturday (you register on College Board).
You will write your personal statement in your English class.
You'll log on to Naviance to do college searches, complete 'About Me' surveys, create a resume.
You'll also have an appointment with one of the college advisors to discuss your post-secondary plans.
Keep up your grades and try to show leadership in any of the great organizations you've become involved in!
Start visiting colleges and meeting with college reps who visit Lincoln or schedule a virtual visit.
11th Grade College Action Timeline
September:
- If you haven't already started, begin researching colleges and familiarizing yourself with the college interface of Naviance. Start creating a list using "Super Match." Enroll in SAT prep.
October:
- Begin gathering information around admissions regarding specialized interests (Pre-screens, portfolio's, NCAA).
- Attend information sessions regarding these specific processes.
November:
- Estimate your Financial Need using the Financial Aid Calculator on College Board.
December:
- Continue preparing for SAT school day & maintaining your academics.
- Review Scholarship opportunities. And how to qualify.
January-February:
- Review Subject test, AP exams you'd like to take. Ensure that they make since to the places and programs to which you apply.
March:
- SAT School Day
- Begin your college list (15-20 schools)
- Start reviewing Common App Essay Prompts
- Junior Meetings
- Attend the College and Conservatory Fair.
April-May:
- Apply for nomination for opportunity Scholarships (Posse, QuestBridge)
- Start thinking about which teachers you're requesting letters of recommendation from.
June:
- Request your letters of recommendation first in person followed by requesting via Naviance.
- If you're applying EA or ED to (November 1st or 15th) all raves and All About Me surveys must be completed before the summer recess.
Summer:
- Register with the NCAA (if seeking to do d1 or d2 level college athletics).
- Work on portfolio or audition pieces.
- Create an FA ID (Student & Parent must have one).
- Draft and edit personal statement.
- Create a resume.
- Create a common app account late summer.
- Register for the SAT.
12th Grade
Senior Year!!! IT'S THE FINAL COUNTDOWN!
College applications go live in August! Start applying as early as you can because the applications take time to complete.
Your college workshops will continue in your English classes so we can support you during the application process.
September: Begin applying- check your application deadlines. Link your CommonApp to Naviance, request recommendation letters, update your essay, register to retake the SAT
October: FAFSA goes live! Begin working on financial aid applications (FAFSA and TAP). Find out if your college requires the CSS Profile on College Board. Finalize your college list and continue working on the applications. Take the SAT if needed. Send your scores to colleges.
November: First round of deadlines (ED, EA). Finalize your applications by the end of the month. Be sure to do all supplemental applications if required. Finish your financial aid applications. Take the SAT if needed. NOTIFY THE COLLEGE OFFICE OF YOUR APPLICATIONS! Send your scores to colleges.
December: Continue to tie up loose ends with your applications, create accounts on your college websites to monitor their receipt of your application items. Last time you can take the SAT in order to make college deadlines! Make sure your SAT scores have been sent! Start applying for scholarships.
January: January first is the general deadline for most colleges. Some colleges have rolling admissions and/or later deadlines. If you are applying to any of those, please notify the College Office asap!
February: March: Collect all acceptance letters and financial aid packages and bring them to the College Office. We must record your acceptance and all scholarships you have received.
April: Financial aid package review in the College Office for students who are considering private, SUNY and out of state colleges. Finalize your decision and reserve your seat and/or dorm.
May 1st: DECISION DAY! This is the last day on which colleges expect you to reserve your seat. If you reserve your seat late, you may lose scholarship funds. Stay in touch with your college!!! You can also appeal the financial aid packages!
12th Grade College Action Timeline
September:
- Senior Meeting with Guidance Counselor.
- Strengthen and move toward finalizing your list.
- Complete the income verification form
- Review "How to Request a Waiver"
- Retake the SAT/ACT.
- Register for the SAT/ACT.
- Final Draft of College Essay & Resume.
- Attend College Visits.
- Finalize Application Deadlines.
October:
- FAFSA Opens
- Complete TAP
- Complete CSS (if necessary)
- Retake the SAT.
- Senior meetings.
- Refresh your knowledge of Naviance.
- Match your common application to your Naviance account.
- Send Test Scores to EA/ED Schools.
November:
- EA/ED Students complete your application by the deadline.
December:
- ED/EA III students complete applications by deadline.
- Macaulay Honors Deadline.
January-February:
- Regular Decision January 1st or 15th.
March:
- Review and compare offers Appeal FinAid Letters.
April-May:
- Review and compare offers.
- Appeal FinAid Letters.
- Decision Day and Deposit Due May 1.
June:
- Complete Senior Survey.
- Pickup final transcript and diploma.
Summer:
- Complete registration documents including health screenings.
- Attend all Required Freshman orientations.
