Four-year plan · notes dated 2026-10-11
My high school journey, toward a BFA
Where I am now
Today and the goal
Current grade Not decided
Not recorded. The notes say "in the early stages" of a four-year plan, which suggests 9th or 10th grade.
handoff_2.md, §1My goal
Apply to BFA programs at arts colleges.
Me, in earlier chats (handoff_2.md, §1)Success means
Meeting the A-G requirements
Keeping a competitive GPA
Building a strong portfolio over four years
The main challenge
The four years at a glance
Key milestones
The rules I'm working toward
UC GPA and A-G courses
15 yearlong A-G courses, C or better Checked
Freshman year
Courses
Start A-G: English, math, and a language other than English if offered.
My plan (handoff_2.md, §2), based on UC A-G rulesActivities
Conservatory or arts work. Build relationships with teachers early for recommendation letters later.
My plan (handoff_2.md, §2)Summer after 9th
UC GPA counting starts here, with summer courses after 9th grade. Checked
My plan (handoff_2.md, §2); UC GPA page, checked 2026-10-11Deadlines
None recorded.
handoff_2.md, §2Sophomore year
Counts toward UC GPACourses
High-stakes GPA year Checked. A-G: history begins with world history, 2nd year of language, science.
My plan (handoff_2.md, §2); UC GPA page, checked 2026-10-11Activities
PSAT as low-stakes practice. Keep developing portfolio pieces.
My plan (handoff_2.md, §2)SAT prep
Start with Khan Academy and the College Board Bluebook app. Check that both are free, official prep.
My chosen tools, earlier chats (handoff_2.md, §2–3) · check collegeboard.org / khanacademy.orgSummer after 10th
Plans not recorded.
handoff_2.md, §2Deadlines
PSAT date, usually in October. Check with the school.
Earlier chat (handoff_2.md, §2–3) · check with counselor and College Board PSAT pageJunior year
Counts toward UC GPACourses
High-stakes GPA year Checked. U.S. history or government.
My plan (handoff_2.md, §2); UC GPA page, checked 2026-10-1111 of 15 done
At least 11 of the 15 A-G courses finished before senior year.
UC A-G page, checked 2026-10-11GPA weight
An earlier chat said 10th and 11th grade GPA "carries disproportionate weight." The UC GPA window partly backs this; "disproportionate" is a judgment call.
Earlier chat (handoff_2.md, §3)Activities
PSAT again if useful. First official SAT in spring. Firm up the BFA college list and portfolio.
My plan (handoff_2.md, §2); SAT timing from an earlier chat (§3)Summer after 11th
Last summer that counts toward the UC GPA Checked. Portfolio or pre-college arts plans not recorded.
My plan (handoff_2.md, §2); UC GPA page, checked 2026-10-11Deadlines
SAT registration. Register early: local test sites are limited. Exact dates not recorded Not decided.
Earlier chat (handoff_2.md, §2–3) · check College Board test center searchSenior year
ApplicationsCourses
Finish the 4th year of English, plus any remaining A-G courses.
My plan (handoff_2.md, §2), based on UC A-G rulesActivities
Submit portfolios. Attend auditions or reviews if required. Ask the teachers I connected with for recommendation letters.
My plan (handoff_2.md, §2)UC applications
Window: Nov 1–30. Confirm on the UC Admissions "How to apply" page.
General knowledge, not yet confirmed (handoff_2.md, §2–3)BFA deadlines
Portfolio and application deadlines depend on the college list.
handoff_2.md, §2–3 · check each school's admissions page once the list existsWhat is still open
Decisions, checks and gaps
Decisions I still have to make
College list
Which BFA programs and arts colleges, and which art discipline or major.
Is the SAT worth it?
Depends on whether target schools use scores. The notes say UC is test-blind. Still to check
Course choices
Which A-G courses, how much honors/AP, and whether to take 4th-year math and 3rd-year science and language, given the conservatory workload.
Summers
Pre-college arts programs, portfolio work, or summer courses (which count toward UC GPA after 9th grade).
Recommenders
Which teachers to build relationships with.
Paid SAT prep?
Only if the free tools turn out not to be enough.
Facts still to check
| Claim | Where it came from | How to check |
|---|---|---|
| 10th and 11th grade GPA "carries disproportionate weight" | Earlier chat | Partly backed by the UC GPA window. Confirm or soften the wording. |
| Local SAT test sites are limited, so register early | Earlier chat | College Board test center search |
| Spring of junior year is the right time for the first SAT | Earlier chat (a recommendation) | Check whether target BFA schools require, recommend or ignore SAT scores |
| Khan Academy and Bluebook are free, official SAT prep | Earlier chat | collegeboard.org / khanacademy.org |
| PSAT timing and dates | Earlier chat | School counselor; College Board PSAT page |
| UC application filing period is Nov 1–30 | General knowledge | UC Admissions "How to apply" page |
| BFA portfolio requirements and deadlines | Not researched yet | Each school's admissions page, once the list exists |
Missing from the notes
- Current grade
- Course names for each year
- Conservatory and arts work details
- Summer plans for every year
- PSAT and SAT dates