This handy checklist helps 7th- and 8th-graders get organized and stay on track when applying for high schools.

7th grade

❏ Read our high school guides and then use our Guided Search to start exploring your options (sign up for a free account so you can create a list of your favorite schools).
❏ Put together a plan to study for the Specialized High Schools Admissions Test (SHSAT). Better yet, start studying!
❏ Collect your best work from 7th grade.
❏ Bring home a copy of the High School Admissions Guide, distributed to 7th-graders in June.
❏ Interested in visual or performing arts programs? Ask your art teachers to help you compile visual arts portfolios and prepare for auditions.

Summer before 8th grade

❏ Put together a plan to stay organized throughout the fall
❏ Continue researching options on Insideschools.
❏ If you haven't already, create a MycSchools account online at www.myschools.nyc where you can browse the high school directory and sumit you application.
❏ Create a list of schools you want to visit.
❏ Are you studying for the SHSAT? You can do it!
❏ Rehearse for auditions and work on art portfolio.

Fall of 8th grade

September
❏ Check DOE’s calendar and individual school websites for open house and tour dates.
❏ Register to take the SHSAT and audition for LaGuardia High School via your MySchools account or with your guidance counselor (you will be issued admission tickets in mid-October for the the exam and audition).
❏ Request needed accommodations for the SHSAT and LaGuardia audition (applies to students with I.E.P.s or 504 accommodations).
❏ Keep studying for the SHSAT and rehearsing for auditions!
❏ Discuss high school options with your guidance counselor.
❏ Attend at least one high school fair held in each borough.
❏ Sign up for interviews, admissions tests and assessments (other than SHSAT) as well as audtions (for arts schools other than LaGuardia that require an audition).

October
❏ Attend school tours and open houses.
❏ Attend at least one more high school fair held in each borough.
❏ Confirm your SHSAT and LaGuardia audition accommodations.
❏ If you haven't done so already, sign up for interviews, admissions tests and assessments (other than SHSAT) as well as audtions (for arts schools other than LaGuardia that require an audition).
❏ Gather your academic work samples and portfolios. Be prepared to submit to individual schools per their deadlines.
❏ Take the SHSAT (typically end of October for current 8th- and 9th-graders).
❏ Audition for LaGuardia (students from select boroughs)

November
❏ Take the SHSAT (typically early November for English language learners, students needing accommodations or granted a make-up test)
❏ Audition for LaGuardia (students in remaining boroughs)
❏ Attend school tours and open houses.
❏ Attend interviews, submit work samples and portfolios and complete any other tasks that individual schools may require for admission.
❏ Finalize your list of schools and decide how to rank them on your application.
❏ Complete and submit the application online via your MycSchools account or fill out and submit a papaer application to you guidance counselor by the deadline (typically early December)
❏ Print a copy of your completed application for your records.

December & January
❏ Wrap up your remaining interviews, auditions, exams and assessments.
❏ Relax and focus on other things! There’s nothing left to do until decision letters arrive in March.