College and Career Roadmap - Grand Prairie Independent School District

8th Grade

Get involved in extracurricular activities or community service opportunities
Sign up for advanced-level high school classes to include Advanced, Advanced Placement (AP), Dual Credit, and/or OnRamps courses
Make it a habit to use Skyward to check on your grades and attendance
Work with your counselors to develop your personal graduation plan and select your endorsement
Begin researching your program of study/pathway and AVID
Apply for the Bobby Bragen scholarship
Apply to your GPISD high school of choice

Continue to prepare for PSAT/NMSQT & ACT
Attend GPISD College Night
Take PSAT/NMSQT in October
Check your eligibility for an ACT/SAT fee waiver for Saturday testing
Complete brag sheet and identify who will write your letters of recommendation
Meet with your School Counselor often and check your CCMR status
Take the School Day ACT in March
Explore military options
Gather more information about college scholarships and financial aid at www.fafsa.gov
Go on college tours
Create/update your NCAA account (student athletes)
Sign up to take the Saturday ACT & SAT exams
Review transcript and check rank
Finalize your reach, target, and safety college list

Apply to your reach, target, and safety college schools
Create and check your college admission portals
Reach out to current and former teachers and counselors for letters of recommendation
Meet with your school counselor to ensure you’ve met CCMR requirements
Update your high school resume
Sign up to take the Saturday ACT & SAT again
Attend GPISD College Night
Fill out the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and/or CSS (College Search Series) profile through College Board
Submit College applications and send your transcript to each college
Apply for local scholarships on gpisd.org/scholarships
Take ASVAB for your career in the military
Finalize your postsecondary plan for college, career or military!