Planning
Post-HS
for 12th Graders
HHS GUIDANCE DEPT
New Graduation Requirement
ALL students in the Class of 2026 are REQUIRED to fill out the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid, known as the FAFSA or waiver (on Genesis) as a requirement for getting a public high school diploma.
REGARDLESS OF POST-HS PLAN!
Options
College
Military
Employment
Gap Year
Apprenticeship
Trade School
4-year College--Tasks
Required for Everyone:
Depends on the Person:
2-Year College--Tasks
Required for Everyone:
Depends on the Person:
Trade School--Tasks
Required for Everyone:
Depends on the Person:
Employment--Tasks
Required for Everyone:
Depends on the Person:
Colleges Evaluate
Types of Admission
Test Optional
“Test Optional” refers to schools where students do not have to submit SAT or ACT test scores as part of the application for admission. Students themselves can choose whether or not to submit scores, and deciding not to submit a score does not negatively reflect on the student’s application.
Important Questions to Ask Yourself: Test Optional
Did you test?
How did you do?
How do you know if your score is low for the school you’re applying to?
Most schools publish data on their applicants, with things like demographics info or types of degree sought, and what average test scores and GPAs were for past applicants.
Structuring Your College List
Probable
Schools
Your academic credentials exceed the school's range for the average first-year student. These should also be colleges you'd be happy to attend.
Target
Schools
Reach
Schools
Your academic credentials fall well within the school's average range for the most recently accepted class. There are no guarantees, but it's not unreasonable to expect to be accepted.
Your academic credentials fall in the lower end, or even below, the school's average range for the students accepted the previous year. Highly selective schools (i.e. Ivy League) are reach for EVERYONE!
College “fit”
Career Assessments
College Searches
Sign up for College Visits at HHS
DO NOT APPLY TO ANY SCHOOLS
ON THIS PLATFORM!!!
Campus tours
3 EXCUSED ABSENCES to attend college visits
Research OPEN HOUSE dates.
Register through the college admission website.
Go when the college is in session—realistic sense of the school
Many schools now offer virtual tours
College Visits at HHS
Application Platforms
COALITIONFORCOLLEGEACCESS.ORG
AVOID USING THIS UNLESS REQUIRED
Some schools have an application directly on their website
SAT/ACT Dates
If you are eligible for FREE/REDUCED LUNCH, you may be eligible for a FEE WAIVER!
You can request it through your COLLEGE BOARD account.
Test Date/ Registration Deadline Late Registration
August 23, 2025 August 8, 2025 August 12, 2025
September 13, 2025 August 29, 2025 September 2, 2025
October 4, 2025 September 19, 2025 September 23, 2025
November 8, 2025 October 24, 2025 October 28, 2025
December 6, 2025 November 21, 2025 November 25, 2025
March 14, 2026 February 27, 2026 March 3, 2026
May 2, 2026 April 17, 2026 April 22, 2026
June 6, 2026 May 22, 2026 May 26, 2026
ACT Testing Schedule (2025–2026)
Test Date Registration Deadline Late Registration
September 6, 2025 August 1, 2025 August 19, 2025
October 18, 2025 September 12, 2025 September 30, 2025
December 13, 2025 November 7, 2025 November 24, 2025 �February 14, 2026 January 7, 2026 January 21, 2026
April 11, 2026 March 6, 2026 March 24, 2026
June 13, 2026 May 8, 2026 May 27, 2026
July 11, 2026 June 5, 2026 June 24, 2026
College Fair
October 30, 2025, 7-8:30pm
Register in Advance
Upcoming Events
College Info Sessions - Register on SCOIR
College and Career Fair: October 30, 2025, 7:00pm
Virtual Financial Aid Night (In English): Oct 14, 7pm
Virtual Financial Aid Night (In Spanish): Oct 15, 7pm
What Questions do you have?