Planning Timeline

Following NACAC (National Association for College Admission Counseling) guidelines, La Salle uses developmentally appropriate timelines for the college search and application process. In the early years, students focus on adjusting to high school, building strong academic habits, and engaging in meaningful activities. They are encouraged to explore interests, connect with peers, and become part of the La Salle community while laying the foundation for future college planning. 

• Academics: Adjust to high school expectations, build a solid academic foundation, take appropriately challenging courses, and develop effective study habits. 

• Exploration: Try extracurricular activities that genuinely interest them or offer purpose. 

• Balance: Stay present and enjoy the high school experience while gradually preparing for the future. 

Students and parents get access to Scoir in January of 9th grade. This interactive college and career planning platform uses La Salle–specific data to help students explore authentic college matches based on their personal, academic, and career interests. Students can search and compare colleges and estimate costs of attendance. The tool also supports self-discovery through career and personality inventories and allows students to begin to build a profile of academic and extracurricular achievements.  

Students continue strengthening their academic skills while engaging in activities that inspire them. They continue to update Scoir with activites and accomplishments.  

• Academics: Maintain a strong record and pursue appropriate academic rigor where appropriate, as colleges value performance and course strength. 

• Extracurriculars: Deepen involvement in meaningful activities and develop leadership skills. 

• Career & College Exploration: Identify emerging career interests and begin researching colleges that support those goals. 

• Assessments: Prepare for standardized testing by planning for the PSAT and other preliminary assessments (without taking the SAT or ACT yet). 

• Create a timeline for registering and taking standardized tests keeping in mind any academic, extracurricular, or personal commitments, e.g. athletic schedules. Juniors should make plans to take at least one, but more likely two standardized tests by June of junior year. Since juniors do not receive their PSAT results until mid-November we strongly encourage students not to begin taking the SAT or ACT until February/March of junior year at the earliest. 

• Begin to investigate colleges and careers. Take advantage of the career and personality tests in Scoir.