College Prep Checklists

Learn & Grow

☐ Read regularly and build strong learning habits.

☐ Complete homework and projects to the best of your ability.

☐ Understand that mistakes are part of learning and growing.

☐ Set goals and celebrate your progress.

Explore Your Interests

☐ Try new activities, sports, arts, clubs, and community programs.

☐ Talk about your favorite subjects and hobbies.

☐ Explore camps and activities through the Dakota Dreams Events Calendar.

Learn About Careers

☐ Ask family members and other adults about their jobs.

☐ Learn how people prepare for different careers.

☐ Visit workplaces, community organizations, colleges, museums, or technical colleges when opportunities arise.

Start Thinking About the Future

☐ Talk about education and training after high school.

☐ Begin Saving for future education or training opportunities.

Explore Careers

☐ Use SDMyLife to complete career interest assessments.

Every South Dakota student in grades 6–12 has access to SDMyLife, a free career and college planning tool. Contact your school counselor if you need help accessing your account.

☐ Learn about South Dakota’s Career Clusters and in-demand careers.

☐ Discuss your interests and future goals with family members, teachers, and your school counselor.

Explore Education Options

☐ Learn about:

• Technical Colleges
• Universities
• Apprenticeships
• Military pathways

☐ Understand that different careers require different levels of education and training.

☐ Explore South Dakota public universities and technical colleges through Our Dakota Dreams.

Prepare for High School

☐ Learn South Dakota Graduation Requirements.

☐ Understand how the courses you take in high school can support your future career goals and open doors to opportunities such as the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship and the Advanced Honors Endorsement.

☐ Explore Math Pathways Advising to learn how math connects to careers and future goals.

☐ Explore Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities available through your school.

☐ Develop strong study habits and time-management skills.

Get Involved

☐ Participate in extracurricular activities, clubs, sports, fine arts, or leadership opportunities.

☐ Volunteer in your community and explore opportunities to help others.

☐ Attend camps, leadership programs, and enrichment opportunities. Find opportunities on the Dakota Dreams Events Calendar.

Learn About Paying for College

☐ Watch the Paying for College Video Series with your family.

☐ Start learning about Scholarships and Financial Aid.

☐ Begin Saving for future education expenses if possible.

☐ Learn that different education pathways may have different costs and funding opportunities.

Explore Careers & Colleges

☐ Complete a career interest assessment through SDMyLife.

Every South Dakota student in grades 6–12 has access to SDMyLife, a free career and college planning tool. Contact your school counselor if you need help accessing your account.

☐ Research Careers that match your interests.

☐ Learn about the education, training, and skills needed for careers that interest you.

☐ Explore South Dakota public universities and technical colleges through Our Dakota Dreams.

☐ Learn about Academic Programs that connect to your interests and goals.

☐ Use the Dakota Dreams Events Calendar to discover career camps, leadership programs, and enrichment opportunities.

Build Your High School Plan

☐ Meet with your school counselor.

☐ Develop a Four-Year High School Course Plan.

☐ Review South Dakota Graduation Requirements.

☐ Review South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship requirements and learn how they can also support eligibility for the Advanced Honors Endorsement.

☐ Review South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship requirements.

☐ Explore Math Pathways Advising to understand which courses support your future degree and career goals.

☐ Consider academic and Career and Technical Education (CTE) coursework that aligns with your interests.

Learn About College Credit Opportunities

☐ Learn about High School Dual Enrollment opportunities and the differences between:

• High School Dual Credit
• Advanced Placement (AP)
• Non-Degree Seeking

☐ Explore how students can earn college credit while still in high school.

☐ Learn how college credit opportunities can support future educational and career goals.

Get Involved

☐ Participate in activities, clubs, sports, fine arts, or leadership opportunities.

☐ Use the Dakota Dreams Events Calendar to discover career camps, leadership programs, and enrichment opportunities.

☐ Learn how Career Ready SD can help students explore careers through real-world experiences and connections with local employers.

☐ Volunteer in your community to explore interests and build experience.

Learn About Paying for College

☐ Watch the Paying for College Video Series.

☐ Explore the Statewide Scholarship Bulletin Board.

☐ Learn about Financial Aid, including scholarships, grants, work-study, and student loans.

☐ Talk with your family about ways to prepare financially for college.

Explore Careers & Postsecondary Options

☐ Meet with your school counselor to discuss your future goals and plans.

☐ Take a career interest assessment:

• SDMyLife

Every South Dakota student in grades 6–12 has access to SDMyLife, a free career and college planning tool. Contact your school counselor if you need help accessing your account.

• Mapping Your Future
• My Next Move

☐ Research careers that interest you and learn about the education, training, and skills they require.

☐ Explore Universities, Technical Colleges, Apprenticeships, and Military Service.

☐ Attend a College Fair or career fair.

☐ Plan Campus Visits at universities and/or technical colleges.

☐ Use the Dakota Dreams Events Calendar to discover career camps, leadership programs, and enrichment opportunities.

Plan Strategic Coursework

☐ Review your four-year high school course plan.

☐ Review your progress toward the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship and Advanced Honors Endorsement, if pursuing them.

☐ Use Math Pathways Advising to understand which math courses align with your future degree and career goals.

☐ Consider academic and CTE coursework that aligns with your career interests and future goals.

☐ Explore the free ACT Preparation Resources including Methodize ACT Prep.

☐ Consider taking the ACT during the summer after your sophomore year as a practice opportunity before statewide testing in the spring of your junior year.

☐ Participate in extracurricular activities, leadership opportunities, and volunteer experiences that support your interests and goals.

Explore College Credit Opportunities

☐ Learn about High School Dual Enrollment and eligibility requirements.

☐ Discuss dual enrollment opportunities with your school counselor.

☐ Explore Degree Pathways to identify dual enrollment courses connected to your future goals.

☐ Complete your High School Dual Enrollment application for Fall term of your junior year if you wish to participate.

Important Registration Dates

Students who plan to take dual enrollment courses during their junior year should be aware of these registration opening dates:

• Fall courses: Registration opens April 1
• Spring courses: Registration opens November 1
• Summer courses: Registration opens March 1

Gain Experience

☐ Participate in leadership opportunities at school and in your community.

☐ Explore internships, job shadowing, work-based learning, and Career and Technical Education (CTE) opportunities at your school that provide hands-on exposure to careers.

☐ Use the Dakota Dreams Events Calendar to discover career camps, leadership programs, and enrichment opportunities.

☐ Use Career Ready SD to explore career-connected learning opportunities and work-based learning experiences.

Learn About Paying for College

☐ Watch the Paying for College Video Series.

☐ Explore the Statewide Scholarship Bulletin Board.

☐ Learn how coursework, grades, and activities can affect eligibility for South Dakota Scholarships, including “The Big Five.”

☐ Learn about Financial Aid, including scholarships, grants, work-study, and student loans.

☐ Discuss college costs and financial planning with your family.

Explore Colleges & Programs

☐ Meet with your school counselor to discuss plans after high school.

☐ Attend College Fairs and career exploration events.

☐ Visit Universities and Technical Colleges.

☐ Meet with Admissions Representatives.

☐ Explore Academic Programs that align with your interests and goals.

Prepare for College Admission & Scholarships

☐ Take the ACT during the statewide spring administration.

Many colleges and universities have test-optional admission policies; however, ACT scores are still be helpful for scholarships, course placement, and other opportunities.

☐ Use the free Methodize ACT Prep available to all South Dakota students through SDMyLife.

☐ Consider taking the PSAT in October. A high score could qualify you for the National Merit Scholarship Program.

☐ Explore Math Pathways Advising to understand which math courses align with your future degree and career goals.

☐ Learn about Fast Track Admission. Eligible students qualify for simplified admission to South Dakota public universities through the High School Dual Enrollment application process.

Earn College Credit While in High School

☐ Explore High School Dual Enrollment opportunities at South Dakota universities and technical colleges and learn how these courses can help you earn college credit, explore majors, and prepare for your future.

☐ Work with your school counselor to identify dual enrollment courses and Degree Pathways that align with your educational and career goals.

☐ Complete your High School Dual Enrollment application for the upcoming term if you wish to participate.

Important Registration Dates

• Spring courses: Registration opens November 1
• Summer courses: Registration opens March 1
• Fall courses: Registration opens April 1

☐ If pursuing the Advanced Honors Endorsement, confirm with your school counselor that you are on track to meet all endorsement requirements.

☐ Participate in Fast Track Admission by selecting the South Dakota public universities where you would like to be admitted directly within the dual enrollment application.

☐ Explore college-readiness options that can help you earn college credit while receiving additional academic support, such as:

• Year-Long College Algebra
• Year-Long College English

Gain Real-World Experience

☐ Use the Dakota Dreams Events Calendar to discover career camps, leadership programs, and enrichment opportunities.

☐ Consider:

• Summer employment
• Internships
• Job shadowing
• Apprenticeships

Prepare Financially

☐ Watch the Paying for College Video Series.

☐ Get an estimate of how much federal student aid you may be eligible to receive through the Federal Student Aid Estimator.

☐ Create a Scholarship Tracking Spreadsheet.

☐ Begin searching the Statewide Scholarship Bulletin Board.

☐ Review South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship requirements to ensure you remain on track for eligibility.

☐ Learn about South Dakota Scholarships including “The Big Five”

☐ Discuss College costs and Financial Aid Options with your family.

AUGUST–SEPTEMBER

☐ Meet with your school counselor to confirm you are on track to meet Graduation Requirements.

☐ Explore Careers related to your interests and compare education, training, salary, and job outlook information.

☐ Visit Potential Campuses, attend College Fairs, and connect with Admissions Representatives to compare your options.

☐ Review your post-secondary plans and finalize a list of Potential Universities, Technical Colleges, Apprenticeship Programs, Military Options, or employment pathways.

☐ Explore Math Pathways Advising to understand which math courses align with your intended major and future career goals.

☐ Take the ACT or review your ACT scores. Consider retaking the ACT to improve your score for admissions, scholarship opportunities, or course placement. The free, self-paced Methodize ACT Prep is available to all SD students in grades 9-12 on SDMyLife.com.

☐ Use the Dakota Dreams Events Calendar to find campus visits events, career exploration opportunities, leadership programs, and enrichment opportunities.

South Dakota Scholarship & Recognition Checkpoint

☐ Review South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship requirements and confirm whether you are on track to earn the South Dakota Opportunity Scholarship and/or the Advanced Honors Endorsement.

☐ Explore Build Dakota Scholarship opportunities if you are considering a technical college pathway.

☐ Review Scholarship Opportunities offered by the colleges, universities, or technical colleges on your list.

☐ Search for scholarships using the Statewide Scholarship Bulletin Board. Use a Spreadsheet or tracking tool to organize deadlines and application requirements.

☐ Request letters of recommendation early.

OCTOBER

☐ Create your StudentAid.gov account (FSA ID) so you can complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

☐ Ensure contributors (such as parents) create their StudentAid.gov accounts.

☐ Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after it opens October 1st.

Helpful Resources

• Mapping Your Future – Free FAFSA support at feedback@mappingyourfuture.org or 1-800-374-4072
• Paying for College Video Series
• Financial Aid Planning Resources

☐ Apply during South Dakota’s Free College Application Period or take advantage of Fast Track Admission if eligible.

☐ Continue monitoring scholarship deadlines and application requirements.

NOVEMBER–DECEMBER

☐ Continue applying for Scholarships.

☐ Meet college-specific Scholarship Priority Deadlines.

☐ Submit College Applications if you have not already done so.

☐ Explore Degree Pathways to identify dual enrollment courses that align with your intended major or career goals.

☐ Complete your High School Dual Enrollment application for Spring term of your senior year if you wish to participate.

Spring Dual Enrollment Registration Opens November 1

JANUARY–MARCH

☐ Continue applying for scholarships.

☐ Connect with the Admissions Offices, Financial Aid Offices and/or the academic program departments at your potential college(s) to ensure you are aware of all your scholarship opportunities.

☐ Regularly check your email and student portals for admissions, scholarship, and financial aid updates.

☐ Review Financial Aid Communications from colleges.

☐ Compare Scholarship and Financial Aid opportunities.

APRIL–MAY

☐ Review Financial Aid Offers carefully, including grants, scholarships, loans, work-study opportunities, and out-of-pocket costs.

☐ Select your university, technical college, apprenticeship, military, or employment pathway.

☐ Accept scholarship offers and complete any required paperwork or verification forms.

☐ Submit enrollment deposits and required paperwork.

☐ Register for orientation and complete any required placement or advising steps.

☐ Finalize housing plans and meet residence hall deadlines, if applicable.

☐ Complete any required placement testing before orientation or course registration.

☐ Request your high school counselor to send your final transcript to the institution you plan to attend after graduation.

☐ Review placement, advising, and registration information provided by your future institution.

BEFORE GRADUATION

☐ Complete all High School Graduation Requirements.

☐ Confirm that all college, scholarship, and financial aid requirements have been completed.

☐ Thank the teachers, counselors, family members, and mentors who supported you.

☐ Consider a summer job to help prepare for future education or training expenses and prepare a Budget to manage your money while in college.

☐ Celebrate your accomplishments and prepare for your next chapter.