Start Preparing Early for College

You will get a real boost if you begin preparing for your college
career early in high school. But even if you didn't, you are not behind
the proverbial eight ball. Take steps now to make your transition to
college a little easier.  

9th Grade: Focus on the Right Courses, Good Grades, and a
Savings Plan 
  
Build on your primary education by selecting classes that you find
interesting and challenge your abilities. With this winning
combination, you will want to study more. Consequently, you will do
well and get your high school GPA off to a strong start.  
Check out what high school courses are typically required for college
admission. If you want to play sports in college, find out the NCAA
requirements.  

Develop some extracurricular interests.
 Become involved in an extracurricular activity or club at
school or volunteer at a community organization. You will have fun,
make friends and learn a lot about teamwork.  

Talk with your family about paying for college.

Now is a good time to start this conversation because you and your
parents have four years to plan and save for your future. If you and
your family have a nest egg for college, look into ways to invest so
your money grows over time.  
 Investigate ways to earn a few extra bucks (and save some
too). Look for money making opportunities in your neighborhood --
mowing lawns, babysitting, pet sitting, clearing snow, washing cars,
raking leaves - whatever you feel up to doing. Don't be shy about
approaching your relatives and neighbors for a job. Adults just love to
see teenagers with initiative! The payoff is terrific. Adults will see
a responsible young adult and you get a few bucks in your pocket. Hey,
don't forget to save some of those dollars for your college plans!
 

10th Grade: Pursue Academic Achievement, Test Taking
Skills, & Community Involvement
Sign up for college prep courses when you choose
your electives. Your guidance counselor can help you find the right
ones for you.  

Practice taking standardized tests.
It's not like you enjoy taking tests, so why do extra? Standardized
tests are different from the ones your high school teachers give you.
The questions are formulated in unique ways that may be unfamiliar.
Thousands of students who have come before you suggest lots of
practice. The more often you try, the more familiar you will become
with the types of questions, and this ultimately leads to higher
scores.  

Continue extracurricular activities that interest you.
Or volunteer for a local community organization. Assume a leadership
role if you can. Involvement and accomplishment are much more important
than quantity in this category.  

Sign up to take the PSAT.
The Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT) is good practice and
it is well worth your time. How you do on the PSAT is a good indicator
of how you will score on the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT) or the
American College Testing (ACT) Assessment. Colleges don't see PSAT
scores, so it's a safe way for you to get a reading on your
standardized testing capabilities.  

Look into Advanced Placement (AP)
courses that may be worth college
credits. Admissions officers like to see this type of initiative.
 

11th Grade: Get Serious About Planning for "After High
School"  
Stay focused on college prep courses.
It is important for you to continue challenging yourself and gaining
confidence in more difficult subject matter.

Take the standardized tests. In
the fall, take the PSAT. It will give you a good idea of how you will
score on the SAT. It will also give you a sense of
the study and preparation  you should pursue before taking the
SAT or ACT. Take the SAT and/or ACT in the spring. 

Find a part-time job. You will
learn how to balance work and school, pick up a few job skills, and
earn some money. Remember to save some of your wages for your college
fund. 

Continue your volunteer or extracurricular activities.
Take on a special project or volunteer for a leadership position to
expand your skill set. 
Begin your college search. Figure out what you want from a college
experience. Make a list of schools that might be interesting. Talk to
friends and relatives about where they went to college. 

12th Grade: Time for Action & Applications 
Stay focused on your schoolwork.
 Slacking off in the final year of high school can cost you a
few points on your GPA and class rank. Be careful to keep these numbers
up! 

Take the SAT and/or ACT again if
you want to try to improve your scores. 

Wrap up your college research and
narrow your list of possible schools. Gather admission applications for
your top candidates. 

Continue to save money for your college
fund. 

Apply to colleges on your short list. 

Apply for financial aid. Ask
your parents or a trusted adult to help you with this process. Their
lifetime of experience with filling out forms and juggling money
matters will really help! Get a copy of the Free Application for
Financial Aid (FAFSA). It's a federal form, which the government uses
to determine your eligibility for financial aid and calculate your
family's contribution to your higher education. File
the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1. 

Decide on where you'll spend the next few years based on the offer
letters you receive