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Fort Worth Christian School is a Christ-Centered College Preparatory School where 100% of the graduates are accepted into college.  The college counseling program at Fort Worth Christian School is a well-designed purposeful process intended to help students identify the college or university that will be the best fit for them once they graduate from FWC. We understand the importance of building meaningful relationships as a component of the college search process.  In order to facilitate this process, we begin by meeting with students before they enter the upper school. Once students enter the upper school we take time to walk them through the entire college planning process.  

In order to best prepare yourself to identify the college or university that will be the best fit for you click the following links by grade level.

College Planning Timeline

8th Grade
  • Take challenging courses and succeed in your classes. 
  • Take the PSAT 8/9 in the fall and PreACT 8/9 in the spring. 
  • Begin thinking about colleges that are of interest to you through your Discover-U class at the Middle School. Talk to your parents about where they may have attended school and what they studied?
  • When traveling, stop and visit some colleges that might interest you.
9th Grade
  • Enroll in challenging courses and perform well in all of your classes. Your freshman transcript is very important. The grades that you earn this year will be the foundation for your upper school transcript.
  • Take the PSAT 8/9 in the fall and PreACT 8/9 in the spring. Begin to track your performance with these standardized tests.
  • Complete 10-20 community service hours in addition to the hours you will earn during Cardinal Service Week which takes place in the second semester.
  • Continue to think about colleges that are of interest to you and visit schools when you are traveling.
  • Get involved in extracurricular activities such as athletics and the arts (music, dance, visual art, theatre, etc...).
10th Grade
  • Set up a Naviance Family Connection account and update freshman and sophomore activities.
  • Research career paths and use the college search function in your Family Connection account.
  • Continue taking challenging courses and focus on doing your best. Consider taking a third year of a modern or classical language, enrolling in an honors course, or taking an AP course.
  • Take note of special hobbies that you are passionate about and continue to participate in school and church related activities.
  • Take the PSAT/NMSQT in the fall semester and PreACT in the spring. Use these test results to determine your strengths and weaknesses in verbal, math, science and writing categories.
  • Make college visits while on family vacations or outings. Visit public and private universities and walk around the campus. Start to determine if you would prefer attending a small, medium, or large school?
  • Complete 10-20 community service hours in addition to the hours you will earn during Cardinal Service Week.
  • Consider taking a test prep course during the summer after 10th grade.
  • Consider a summer part-time job or a collegiate summer program.
11th Grade
  • Consider taking dual credit classes and/or AP (Advanced Placement) courses to enhance your transcript and earn college credits prior to your upper school graduation. This can save you money and allow for more flexibility in your college schedule.
  • Attend college fairs to learn more about the wide variety of colleges and universities.  Attend financial aid seminars to begin to learn about affording college.
  • When College Admission Counselors visit FWC, plan on meeting with them to hear about the college they represent.
  • Schedule time to meet with FWC’s College Counselor.
  • Use Naviance Family Connection to research college costs, majors offered, etc. Search virtual campus tours and videos on YouTube.
  • Take college visits to safe and stretch schools (You are allowed 2 college visit days). As summer approaches, begin to narrow down college choices.
  • Continue to be involved in extracurricular activities. When reviewing your application, know that universities will consider community service, athletic participation, school clubs, employment history, participation in the arts, etc.
  • Sit for the PSAT/NMSQT in October. The National Merit Scholarship Program selects students based on their performance on the PSAT/NMSQT during the junior year.
  • Register and take the SAT and/or ACT at least two times during your junior year.
  • Work to your greatest potential in your classes. You will be applying to colleges after the junior year and your GPA and weighted average are extremely important.
  • Ask teachers for recommendation letters before you depart for summer break. (Make sure that your resume is updated in Naviance so teachers can use this information in your recommendation).
  • Work on college essays. Topics can be found at applytexas.org and commonapp.org 
  • Complete 10-20 community service hours in addition to the hours you will earn during Cardinal Service Week.
12th Grade
  • Consider taking dual credit classes and/or AP (Advanced Placement) courses to enhance your transcript and earn college credits prior to your upper school graduation. This can save you money and allow for more flexibility in your college schedule.
  • Your fall semester grades are important. Colleges are wanting to see a strong senior year course load and that you’re continually preparing yourself to attend college.
  • Begin applying to colleges. The ApplyTexas application opens July 1st. If applying to Common Application schools, “Match” your account in Naviance   Family Connection and sign FERPA Waiver.
  • Continue to schedule college visits and attend college fairs. Meet with College Admission Counselors that visit FWC and when you visit colleges.
  • Enter the names of schools that you have applied to into Naviance and request your transcript to be submitted. Make a checklist of deadlines, fees, test dates, and scholarship deadlines.
  • Continually search for scholarship opportunities. Check with your financial institution, your employer or your parent’s employer, large corporations, etc. Register with StudentScholarships.org.
  • The FAFSA opens October 1st. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov and complete the application. The FAFSA is calculated on the prior-prior year’s tax return.
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