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Planning for Your Future

Freshmen Year

  • Your school counselor will meet with you to discuss careers and post high school educational plans. Keep in mind there are many options: Military, Community Colleges, Career and Technical Schools and Four-Year Colleges/Universities.
  • Attend the College Fair held at Elizabeth Forward High School to explore and sign up to receive information from colleges. Take note of their entry requirements.
  • Remember that the grades you earn this year will be included in your final GPA and on your transcript.
  • Remember to check the canvas page “Class of 20XX” in accordance with your graduation year for important information, scholarship opportunities, upcoming events from the guidance department.
  • The credits you earn this year count towards graduation.
  • Participate in activities in school and in the community. Look into volunteer opportunities that will expand your interests and skills.
  • Talk to your parents/guardians about what you would like to do after High School.
  • If you are interested in attending our Career and Technical School, Steel Center, in the fall of your sophomore year; please fill out their application starting in January of your Freshman year on their website. 
  • See your counselor and review your current academic and elective choices for the upcoming school year.
  • Take the Keystone Exams to meet Act 158 graduation requirements.

Sophomore Year

Fall Semester:

  • Keep track of extra-curricular activities, volunteer activities, awards/articles.
  • Maintain quality grade point average.
  • Continue to brainstorm what you would like to pursue as a career after high school.
  • Remember to check the canvas page “Class of 20XX” in accordance with your graduation year for important information, scholarship opportunities, upcoming events from the guidance department.

Spring Semester:

  • Complete the ASVAB testing.
  • If you are interested in attending one of the four military academies, now is the time to start planning.  Acquire as much information as possible.
  • Make a list of colleges for possible summer visits.
  • Meet with your school counselor to review credits, graduation requirements and possible summer programs that match your interests.
  • Prepare to take PSAT during the fall semester of junior year
  • Build upon your ideas about post graduation plans 
  • Consider playing a sport at a collegiate level. 

Junior Year

Fall Semester:

  • Meet with your school counselor at the beginning of the school year to review courses and graduation plan. 
  • Remember to check the canvas page “Class of 20XX” in accordance with your graduation year for important information, scholarship opportunities, upcoming events from the guidance department.
  • Begin post-secondary research and discuss post-secondary plans with parents/guardians and counselor.   
  • If you are considering playing a sport at a collegiate level, please fill out an NCAA application. 
  • Attend Financial Aid Night at Elizabeth Forward High School. Any student considering any type of post-secondary education should attend with their parent(s).
  • Attend the College Fair at Elizabeth Forward High School – take note of majors, entry qualifications, test/score requirements, cost etc. 
  • Prepare for and take the PSAT/NMSQT. All Juniors take the PSAT for FREE during the school day in October.
  • Create CollegeBoard account to review PSAT Scores and link with Khan Academy for free, personalized test prep.

Spring Semester:

  • Register for the SAT test if the schools you are considering or require the SAT tests.  Also, register for the ACT.  It is a good idea to take these at the end of your Junior year. If necessary, you can retake them as a senior.
  • Plan senior year courses with your counselor.
  • Begin school visitations while schools are still in session and continue through the summer and next fall.  Reminder to check school policy regarding college visits. 
  • Prospective athletes MUST register online at the NCAA Eligibility Center.
  • Possible Summer Opportunities: Look a summer job, volunteer position, or summer program! Talk with your counselor who may be able to help! (Look at the “Class of 20XX” canvas page for any 
  • Continue with post-secondary research and discuss post-secondary plans with parents/guardians and counselor.   

Summer before Senior Year

Register for ACT and/or SAT. A lot of schools will still accept the test scores for early deadlines.

Senior Year

AUGUST - SEPTEMBER: 

  • Start applying to colleges and universities. You can apply on their website or using the common app (www.commonapp.org ).
  • Meet with your counselor to review your transcript, check for accuracy and that you are meeting requirements for graduation.
  • Complete and have your parent/guardian sign a Transcript Request Form (or printed version in counseling office) and submit to your counselor. We cannot send a transcript to any university and/or college without this form.
  • Seek recommendations from teachers, counselors, or other appropriate people to accompany applications. Complete the activities/recommendation form (or printed version in counseling office) and provide to the recommender at least 2 weeks ahead of any deadline requirements. 
  • Register for the ACT or SAT if you did not take them during your junior year or if you would like to retake them.  
  • Attend Financial Aid Night held at EFHS 
  • Remember to check the canvas page “Class of 20XX” in accordance with your graduation year for important information, scholarship opportunities, upcoming events from the guidance department.

OCTOBER - DECEMBER: 

  • Attend the College Fair held at EFHS. Create a plan ahead of time to ensure you speak with admission representatives from your top choice schools.  
  • You can begin to complete the FAFSA during your senior year (typically December/January).  Check with schools you are interested in about their financial aid deadlines.  Some deadlines may be earlier than the PHEAA deadline.  The FAFSA is only available on the web at fafsa.ed.gov or call 1-800-4-FED-AID. 
  • Fill out college applications, paying careful attention to any deadlines.  Allow a minimum of one week for the Counseling office to process your transcripts. Complete the Transcript Request Form.
  • Attend college open houses, meet with college representatives that come to your high school and meet with military reps if you are interested.
  • Continue to schedule college visits. You should visit your top choices at least twice to make sure the school is right for you.
  • If you will be seeking an athletic scholarship, contact coaches in your sport at schools you are considering. Talk to your counselor to make sure you have completed the NCAA Clearinghouse Eligibility registration process.
  • Request and pay for official test scores through the testing agency website. 
    • "Official" SAT and ACT scores are sent directly from the testing agency. "Unofficial scores", when requested by checking the option on the Transcript Release Form, can be sent by the EF Guidance Office. Please note that the NCAA and some schools will only accept "official scores" from the testing site. For "official scores", it is your responsibility to have your scores sent directly from the testing agency.  If you have not already requested your scores be sent to intended colleges before taking the exam (you get 4 FREE with SAT registration), you can do so after the test(s) for an additional fee.  To send your SAT or ACT scores, go to their websites, www.act.org and/or www.collegeboard.com. Please read the details of the college application or ask your counselor if you are unsure which to send. 

 JANUARY - FEBRUARY: 

  • SCHOLARSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS, SCHOLARSHIPS!!  Please check the canvas announcement in “Class of 20XX”. IF you exhaust the options available in the counseling office, please meet with your counselor for online tools to search and apply for more!

MARCH - APRIL: 

  • Hopefully, you have completed the FAFSA and received an acceptance letter and financial award letter by now. Make sure you take time to review and compare your acceptance offers to determine the best fit for you academically and financially.

MAY: 

  • Make sure your final choice school knows you are coming and send in a deposit. Check on any final deadlines for housing, financial, etc...
  • Have your final transcripts sent to your new school by filling out and turning in the senior survey.    
  • If you completed and paid for any College in High School Credits while at EF, please make sure you request a transcript from the college associated with the high school. 
    • University of Pitt- AP computer science 
    • La Roche- social studies and foreign language classes
    • Seton Hill- Math, English, Science class

Post Graduation

If you need your transcript sent to a college or university after July 1st of your graduation year, please fill out the Transcript Request Form for Graduates and email it to nscheiber@efsd.net or call 412-896-2352 and speak with Mrs. Scheiber.