College Preparation

Preparing for college even before you start high school is a good idea. Many of the core classes of reading, writing and arithmetic begin the entry into advance courses before high school. If you take the advance courses in middle school, you will be set up to continue into the courses that interest you all the way through college. If you didn’t get started early, that is OK. It is never too late to get started. In high school and even after high school guidance counselors are trained to help you get on the path to help you succeed. Stop putting off your future and let’s get started.

Top 10 College Application Mistakes

PRE-HIGH SCHOOL

Start thinking about which high school classes will best prepare you for college.
Take challenging classes in English, mathematics, science, history, geography, the arts, and a foreign language with set you up for high school.
Develop strong study skills. Good study skills and test taking skills will help you throughout your life.
Investigate your options for choosing high schools or programs in high school to determine which ones will help you further your academic and career interests
Start saving for college

HIGH SCHOOL: 9th GRADE

Take challenging classes in English, mathematics, science, history, geography, a foreign language, government, civics, economics, and the arts.
Develop strong study skills. Good study skills and test taking skills will help you throughout your life.
Get to know your career counselor or guidance counselor as well as other college resources available in your school.
Talk to adults in a variety of professions to determine what they like and dislike about their jobs and what kind of education is needed for each kind of job.
Continue to save for college.

HIGH SCHOOL: 10th GRADE

Take challenging classes in English, mathematics, science, history, geography, a foreign language, government, civics, economics, and the arts.
Develop strong study skills. Good study skills and test taking skills will help you throughout your life.
Talk to adults in a variety of professions to determine what they like and dislike about their jobs and what kind of education is needed for each kind of job.
Become involved in your school or community-based extracurricular activities that interests you and enables you to explore your career interests.
Meet with your career counselor or guidance counselor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
Take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). You must register early. Many colleges use your score from the PSAT/NMSQT from your 1th grade year or earlier as a way to determine your access to scholarship funds. Preparing early will give you an advantage over most students.
Take advantage of opportunities to visit colleges and talk to students.
Continue to save for college.

HIGH SCHOOL: 11th GRADE

Take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). You must register early. If you have difficulty paying the registration fee, see your guidance counselor about getting a fee waiver. Many colleges use your score from the PSAT/NMSQT from your 1th grade year or earlier as a way to determine your access to scholarship funds. 12th grade is too late to take to qualify. Preparing early will give you an advantage over most students.
Take challenging classes in English, mathematics, science, history, geography, a foreign language, government, civics, economics and the arts.
Develop strong study skills. Good study skills and test taking skills will help you throughout your life.
Meet with your career or guidance counselor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
Continue involvement in school or community-based extracurricular activities.
Decide which colleges most interest you. Contact them to request information and an application for admission.
Ask about special admissions requirements, financial aid and deadlines.
Talk to college representatives at college fairs.
Visit colleges and talk to students.
Consider people to ask for recommendations – teachers, counselors, employers, etc.
Investigate the availability of financial aid from federal, state, local, and private sources. Talk to your guidance counselor for more information.
Find out more about the domestic Peace Corps, called AmeriCorps, by visiting www.americorps.org.
Investigate the availability of scholarships provided by organizations such as corporations, labor unions, professional associations, religious organizations, and credit unions.
If applicable, go to the library and look for directories of scholarships for women, minorities, and disabled students.
Register for and take the SAT I, the ACT, SAT II Subject Tests or any other exams required for admission to the colleges you might want to attend. If you have difficulty paying the registration fee, see your guidance counselor about getting a fee waiver.
Continue to save for college.

HIGH SCHOOL: 12th GRADE

Take challenging classes in English, mathematics, science, history, geography, a foreign language, government, civics, economics, the arts, and advanced technologies.
Develop strong study skills. Good study skills and test taking skills will help throughout your life.
Meet with your counselor early in the year to discuss your plans.
Complete all necessary financial aid forms, especially the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Apply for financial aid.
Write colleges to request information and applications for admission. Ask about financial aid, admissions requirements, and deadlines.
If possible, visit the colleges that most interest you.
Register for and take the SAT I, ACT Assessment, SAT II Subject Tests or any other exams required for admission to the colleges to which you are applying. If you have difficulty paying the registration fee, see your guidance counselor about getting a fee waiver.
Prepare your application carefully. Follow the instructions, and PAY CLOSE ATTENTION TO DEADLINES. Be sure to ask your counselor and teachers at least two weeks before your application deadlines to submit the necessary documents to colleges (your transcript, letters of recommendation, etc.)