MEET THE DEPARTMENT

Camden Academy Charter High School

250 Federal Street, Camden, NJ 08103
856-365-1000

ACADEMIC PROFILE FOR COLLEGE & UNIVERSITY ADMISSION

PARENT RESOURCES

ACT AND SAT

VIRTUAL COLLEGE TOURS

SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

FINANCIAL AID

PSAT 

The Preliminary SAT (PSAT) is a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT. The PSAT measures critical reading skills, math problem-solving skills and writing skills. This test offers underclassmen a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test scholarship programs and gain access to college and career planning tools. Sophomores are encouraged to take the PSAT. This is not a mandatory test.

WELCOME!

POST SECONDARY PLANNING AND CAREER DEVELOPMENT 

TASKS FOR CAMDEN ACADEMY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS:

  • Talk to your parents and teachers about going to college

  • Build strong relationships with your teachers

  • Visit colleges either in person or virtually, read about different colleges and universities

  • Make good personal and educational choices; use your time wisely

  • Serve in your community

  • Maintain great attendance at school, work, etc.

  • Get involved and find your passions

  • Prepare for standardized tests

  • Challenge yourself

BELOW YOU WILL FIND PLANNING TASKS FOR CAMDEN ACADEMY CHARTER HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS BROKEN UP BY GRADE LEVEL AND TIME OF THE SCHOOL YEAR:

SENIOR YEAR 

GETTING ORGANIZED: A COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

SENIOR YEAR 

1. Plan to visit colleges

2. Update your information in Naviance

3. Plan out your SAT and ACT testing dates - Prepare for both of these college tests in Naviance with "Naviance Test Prep"

JULY/AUGUST

  • Use the College Match section of Naviance to continue researching colleges

  • Start preparing for ACT and SAT

  • If you are applying to a 4 year college create your Common App account at CommonApp.org,

  • If you plan to join the armed forces, research the branch you are interested in and contact a recruiting office

  • If you plan to attend a trade school, research several trade schools and the programs they offer

SEPTEMBER

  • Students and parents should start finalizing college preferences

  • Parents: Order a copy of your IRS tax transcript

  • Students must decide if they will be taking the SAT Subject tests: certain colleges require them; find out if any of your schools require the subject test

  • Students must complete one “Student Brag Sheet” survey in Naviance for each teacher from whom they wish to receive a letter of recommendation, and one “Counselor Recommendation Questionnaire request” form as well as formally request a letter from each teacher in the “colleges I am applying to” section of Naviance

  • Students who wish to participate in a team sport in college need to register with NCAA Clearinghouse

  • College essay must be completed--Check out the Common App essays questions

  • Schedule an appointment with your college counselor if you plan to apply to a college through the “early decision” process

  • Set a plan for the year: fill your calendar with application deadlines

  • Research EOF programs in NJ, and get to know the process

  • If you are going to the military, start preparing for the ASVAB, which is the Military aptitude examination

  • If you are going to trade school, contact the schools you are interested in applying to and set up an appointment with them

OCTOBER

  • FAFSA goes live this month! Start getting your parents’ financial information so you are ready to fill out your financial aid

  • Speaking of FAFSA, you and a parent need to create your FSA ID. You should also order your parents’ tax transcript! If you have a sibling that is in college currently or has attended within the last 4 years, your parents should have a FAFSA ID

  • Final college essay must be complete by the last week in October

  • Students applying to Rutgers University by the priority deadline must complete their applications by the priority application deadline

NOVEMBER

  • Students planning to apply to Rutgers University must complete application before the deadline

DECEMBER

  • College Deadlines are approaching! If you have a January 1 deadline, your applications must be complete by the week before we go on Winter Break

  • Have both your college applications AND your FAFSA complete before Winter Break

JANUARY-COLLEGE AWARENESS MONTH AT CAMDEN ACADEMY HIGH SCHOOL

  • There are still colleges you can apply to; many colleges have January or February application deadlines

  • Check out the planned instant decision days at your school

  • If you have not completed the FAFSA, please do so

  • If you are planning on attending a community college, create your account and fill out your application

FEBRUARY

  • College applications should be finalized

  • Watch for your financial aid packages; students and parents with questions about their financial aid packages should reach out to their counselor

MARCH

  • Students accepted to college should be receiving financial aid packages, if you have not received a package from your school of choice, call the financial aid office immediately

  • If you have not yet decided where you are going to college, keep weighing your options; be sure to visit as many campuses as you can

APRIL

  • College selection process should be wrapping up: May 1st is decision day

  • If you have not visited the colleges you’ve been accepted to, use spring break to make that happen

  • Students intending to participate in the EOF program at Camden County College should complete the EOF application

MAY

  • The National College Decision Day

  • College deposits due - the average college deposit is between $100 and $500; plan accordingly

  • Once you have selected a college, you’ll have paperwork to fill out for your new school

  • Just because you are graduating doesn’t mean we are not here to help...please reach out to us when you have questions 

JUNIOR YEAR

GETTING ORGANIZED: A COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

This timeline is a guide to assist you with making your own calendar of important dates.

FALL (JUNIOR YEAR)

  • Create/update your Resume in Naviance 

  • Complete all assessments 

  • Establish your "I’m Thinking About This College" list

  • Decide which schools you may want to visit

  • Take the PSAT one more time for practice (October)

  • Attend the Camden Academy College Fair

  • Attend the Camden Academy Financial Aid Night

  • Complete Junior community service hours required for graduation

SPRING (JUNIOR YEAR)

  • Complete the Game Plan in Naviance 

  • Begin visiting schools and gathering further information either in person or virtually

  • Meet with your counselor for a Post-Secondary Planning conference

  • Begin taking standardized tests (SAT/ACT/ Subject Tests)

  • Attend a Spring College Fair visit: www.nationalcollegefairs.org

  • Consider a summer enrichment program or internship

  • Before leaving for summer break, begin asking at least two teachers for recommendation letters

SUMMER (BEFORE SENIOR YEAR)

  • Complete a Brag Sheet and provide this to each teacher you are requesting a letter from

  • Complete a recommendation request through Naviance

  • Continue visiting colleges and gathering information

  • Get a head start on completing senior Community Service hours

    • You may begin as early as the end of your Junior year at Academy!

  • Continue to volunteer and stay involved, perhaps attend a summer program or internship

  • Narrow down your “Colleges I’m thinking about” (5-7 schools)

  • Move “Colleges I’m thinking about” to “Colleges I’m applying to” in Naviance

SOPHOMORE YEAR

GETTING ORGANIZED: A COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

FALL

  • MEET WITH YOUR COUNSELOR

  • START CLASSES STRONG; CONNECT WITH YOUR TEACHERS; ASK FOR HELP WHEN NEEDED

  • TAKE THE PSAT IN OCTOBER

  • VISIT LOCAL COLLEGES

WINTER

  • PLAN FOR NEXT YEAR'S CLASSES. CHALLENGE YOURSELF!

  • CONSIDER MENTORS; PUT SOMEONE IN YOUR CORNER

  • UNPACK YOUR PSAT SCORES - USE THEM TO DETERMINE WHERE YOU NEED TO BUILD 

  • LIST WHAT IS IMPORTANT IN YOUR COLLEGE SEARCH

  • START PLANNING FOR SUMMER; SAT PREP? JOB? SERVICE? COLLEGE PROGRAM?

SPRING

  • FINALIZE YOUR SCHEDULE FOR NEXT YEAR: ARE THERE AP OR HONORS CLASSES YOU SHOULD BE TAKING?

  • TALK TO YOUR TEACHERS, COUNSELORS, LIBRARIANS ABOUT SUMMER READING

  • EXPLORE JOB SHADOWING OPPORTUNITIES

SUMMER

  • TALK TO COLLEGE STUDENTS

  • START TO TALK TO YOUR PARENTS ABOUT PAYING FOR COLLEGE

  • PREPARE FOR JUNIOR YEAR

  • INVESTIGATE WHY COLLEGE MATTERS

  • BANK THE MONEY YOU MAKE AT YOUR JOB ALONG WITH NEW SKILLS LEARNED

FRESHMAN YEAR

GETTING ORGANIZED: A COLLEGE PLANNING TIMELINE

Fall

  • Meet with your counselor

  • Get engaged with your teachers, ask for help when needed

  • Explore co-curricular activities

  • Take the PSAT in October

Winter

  • Start thinking about what classes you want to take next year

  • Research your career preferences: use Naviance and explore your talents

  • Start planning for the summer

Spring

  • Finalize your schedule for next year

  • Investigate college majors

  • Take advantage of service opportunities

  • Create a plan for summer that you will be proud of

Summer

  • Evaluate freshman year and pledge to build or restart

  • Seek summer activities that contribute to your future

  • Complete your summer reading and assignments

  • Visit colleges