High School Timeline

Before high school graduation, students in Oklahoma must complete the following: 4 Units English; 3 Units Mathematics (earned in high school); 3 Units Science; 3 Units Social Studies; 1 Unit Fine Arts; 1 Unit World Language or Computer Technology; 1 Unit Physical Education; 7 Units Electives for a total of 23 Units.

Additional requirements for graduation: take state or federal assessments as specified by district policy; demonstrate proficiency on all 14 modules included in the state-mandated Personal Financial Literacy curriculum during grades 9-12; receive training in CPR; complete all components of the 4-year ICAP plan; pass the Civics Knowledge Assessment with a score of 60% or better; submit the FAFSA.

While your high school counselor can give you specifics on which classes fit in each category, and which classes within each group are mandatory for graduation credit, most universities suggest classes that prospective students should take if considering their specific schools. Check requirements with each school you’re considering. For example, depending on your goals, it might be a good idea to take more than one year of a foreign language while in high school, even though it is not a requirement to graduate.

Preplanning is key to success, so here’s a year-by-year timeline to keep high school success on-track:

High School Timeline Planner

Freshman Year

In Fall/Winter

• Set a goal to take the most challenging classes offered at your high school and stay focused on getting high grades.
• Start building your vocabulary. Read outside of schoolwork.

In Spring

• Look into work, study, community service or sports summer programs.
• NOTE: Students who are eligible for Oklahoma’s Promise, the state’s program that covers tuition at Oklahoma public two-year colleges or four-year universities, must sign up in 8^th, 9^th, 10^th or 11^th grade. (For more information, go to okpromise.org)

Sophomore Year

In Fall/Winter

• Continue goal toward high grades.
• Find out when your school offers the PSAT and sign up. Take a practice PSAT.

In Spring

• Start researching colleges; gather information.
• Meet with your high school counselor to discuss plans about college and path to admissions.
• Identify work, study, community service or athletic programs to get involved in this summer.

Junior Year

In Fall/Winter

• Complete preparation for the SAT I or ACT. Some students take these tests in the fall/winter.
• Research colleges and universities that interest you.
• Plan college visits. Look at websites for information and student visit days.

In Spring

• Take the AP test for those AP or college-level courses you’ll complete this spring.
• Oklahoma offers the ACT at no cost for high school students, typically in the spring. Take the SAT or ACT or both. You can take the ACT or SAT more than once. If you have test anxiety, it might be a good idea to take it more than once.
• Check with guidance office or college websites to see if any representatives from your target schools plan visits and sign up. Prepare questions for the recruiter.
• Stay in touch with admissions representatives at your top choice schools and become familiar with their admission deadlines.
• Visit colleges.
• Identify people to write recommendation letters.
• Identify organized study, work, volunteer or athletic program for summer.

Senior Year

In Fall/Winter

• Seniors have the opportunity to retake the ACT at no cost. Check with your high school counselor for information. Some students are also eligible for ACT fee waivers.
• Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). After completing the FAFSA, you’ll receive the FAFSA Submission Summary after it has been processed by the U.S. Department of Education. It summarizes your FAFSA information and is provides an estimate or your federal student aid eligibility. Review the Submission Summary for accuracy and make corrections before the information is sent to colleges. Access your FAFSA Submission Summary on your StudentAid.gov account dashboard.
• Submit FAFSA as soon after Oct. 1 as possible at studentaid.gov. Must be submitted by March 1 for most state aid. Deadline to qualify for fall federal aid is May 1. The earlier you get this in, the better. Scholarships and other money may be more limited the longer you wait. The federal deadline to submit the FAFSA is June 30.
• Check with guidance counselor and target schools to be sure you have all financial aid and admission forms. Complete and submit forms before the stated deadlines.
• Follow up on your applications before the deadline.
• Continue to visit colleges, if possible, to help make your decision.

In Spring

• Decide on college or university you will attend in the fall. Make sure you’ve received admissions and financial aid award letters and notify choice college. The deadline for most colleges is May 1, known as College Decision Day. Let colleges know if you are declining an offer.
• Estimate college costs and your sources of financial aid. If aid sources don’t meet estimated expenses for the upcoming year, check loan opportunities.
• Take the AP tests for those AP or college-level courses completed this spring.
• Begin evaluating housing options for the fall.

Tip

From freshman year on, keep a record of activities, community service, leadership roles and other extracurricular programs you have participated in. It’s also a good idea to keep a portfolio of awards, honors, certificates, outstanding schoolwork, etc. throughout your high school years. This will make filling out college applications easier. It’s also a resumé that you can give to people who are writing college recommendation letters, should you need those. You may think you’ll remember everything you’ve done over four years, but you won’t.

This article has been updated since its original publication.