Students & Families

Transitioning to the rigors of Upper School within the Trinity Valley School community may take students some time. Still, it is important for students to remember that beginning in freshman year, student grades count for college admissions. Ensuring they do their best to establish a strong GPA is essential to future success!

Fall Semester

• Acclimate to the high school schedule.
• Get to know your teachers.
• Outline a study routine and establish a plan to manage your time.
• Practice self-advocacy.
• Explore the numerous student organizations and athletic teams on campus and get involved.
• Take the PSAT for practice in October.

Spring Semester

• Explore your academic interests, possible majors, and/or career paths you might want to consider through inventory-assessment tools in Naviance.
• Speak with your advisor and teachers about your course and scheduling options for next year.
• Begin to research summer enrichment opportunities that pique your interest.
• Start keeping a portfolio of your co-curricular activities, accomplishments, as well as honors/awards received.

Summer

• Explore your interests through reading, community service, or job-shadow programs.
• Consider visiting a college campus locally or while on family vacation.

During their sophomore year, students are encouraged to continue exploring and honing in on the academic and social areas they find interesting that may lead them to discover possible career options or potential college majors. It is important they either maintain solid academic performance or improve upon their cumulative GPA for college admission.

Fall Semester

• Continue to develop relationships with your teachers.
• Make any necessary adjustments to your study routine and outline a time-management schedule.
• Strengthen your involvement with one or more student organizations and/or athletic teams. Keep in mind the level of involvement is often more important than the number of activities.
• Pursue leadership opportunities on campus.
• Take the PSAT for practice in October.

Spring Semester

• Attend TVS’s annual College Colloquium and the on-campus college fair.
• Attend the Introduction to College Counseling Meeting.
• Consult with your advisor, teachers, and possibly a college counselor to formulate a two-year (junior and senior year) course selection plan to help you achieve your goals. Remember, colleges consider academic rigor equally as important as grades.
• Take the Pre-ACT for practice.
• Explore and apply to participate in summer academic enrichment programs, leadership, and/or athletic camps offered on college campuses around the country.
• Begin to schedule formal visits (through Admissions) at colleges and universities.
• Attend the DFW National College Fair and Dallas College Previews.
• Consider taking SAT Subject Tests and/or AP examinations (if applicable).
• High school athletes interested in playing in college should register with the NCAA Eligibility Center.

Summer

• Continue to explore your interests through reading, community service, and job-shadow programs.
• Continue to schedule formal visits (through Admissions) at colleges and universities.
• Investigate SAT/ACT test-prep options.
• Create an academic and co-curricular achievement resume.

Junior year is really the pinnacle year for students in the college application process. It is the last full year of grades that are typically made available to admission officers prior to application, which makes excelling in your academic course work crucial. Be sure to continue solid academic performance to maintain or improve upon your cumulative GPA for college admission. Continue to explore and hone in on the academic and social areas you find interesting that may lead you to discover possible career options or potential college majors.

Fall Semester

• Focus on your coursework and in performing to the best of your ability.
• Remain academically engaged with your teachers.
• Attend the Fort Worth Private School College Fair.
• Maintain a balanced schedule that allows you to enjoy extra‐curricular activities, along with academic responsibilities.
• Pursue leadership opportunities within your sport, service organization, or club.
• Take the PSAT for National Merit Scholarship Competition, National Hispanic Scholar, or National Achievement recognition in October.
• Attend Scholarship & Financial Aid Night.
• Meet with college representatives visiting TVS.
• Attend college events and receptions in the DFW area.
• Research colleges online and update your prospective college list in your Naviance account.
• Meet with your college counselor to determine which SAT/ACT dates are best for you.
• Artists should begin working on their portfolio and/or identify college audition requirements.

Spring Semester

• Complete junior student and parent questionnaires before scheduling your family conference.
• Attend TVS’s annual College Colloquium and the on-campus college fair.
• Register and take SAT/ACT and, if applicable, SAT Subject Tests.
• Discuss with your advisor, teachers, and college counselor a senior year schedule that works best for you to help you achieve your goals.
• Continue to research, explore, and schedule college visits.
• Begin researching private scholarship opportunities.
• Apply to participate in summer academic enrichment, leadership programs, and/or athletic camps offered on college campuses around the country.
• Complete and submit teacher recommendation request forms.
• Attend the DFW National College Fair and the Dallas College Previews.
• Students interested in applying to U.S. Military Service Academies should begin the nomination application process.
• Attend the rising senior Summer To-Do List Workshop.
• Take SAT Subject Tests and/or AP examinations (if applicable).

Summer

• Continue to explore and visit college campuses to narrow down your search.
• Ideally, complete your standardized testing for college admission (SAT/ACT).
• Begin writing, editing, and revising college application essays and, if applicable, portfolios.
• Update and revise your academic and co-curricular resume for colleges.
• Create your Common Application, ApplyTexas, and/or Coalition Application accounts.
• Confirm all honors, scholarship, and application deadlines for the colleges to which you plan to apply.
• Update your college list in Naviance.

During the student’s senior year, the college application process is in full swing! Regular meetings with the college counselor are not uncommon as students finalize their college lists, discuss application strategies, and finalize application materials including essays.

Fall Semester

• Attend one of the Application Kickoff Workshops offered in August.
• Meet with college representatives visiting TVS.
• Attend the Fort Worth Private School College Fair.
• Meet with your college counselor to finalize your college list.
• Submit your official Transcript Request Form to your college counselor.
• Attend college receptions in the DFW area.
• Submit all required testing to your colleges directly from the testing agency.
• Revise, finalize, complete, and submit your college applications, essays, resume, and if applicable, your portfolio.
• Request college admission interviews and/or auditions (if applicable).
• Continue to search for private scholarships locally and nationally.
• Confirm scholarship deadlines and whether an additional scholarship application is required.
• Submit Financial Aid paperwork (FAFSA and CSS PROFILE) if applicable.

Spring Semester

• Keep your college counselor informed of all college admission and scholarship decisions.
• Attend and participate in College 101 Series Workshops.
• Compare admission, scholarship, and financial aid packages.
• Revisit college campuses prior to making final enrollment decision.
• Submit your college enrollment and housing deposits by the National Candidate Reply Deadline (May 1).
• Submit your College Applications and Scholarships Summary Form to your College Counselor.

Take your AP examinations and send official scores from the College Board to the college you will be attending in July.