Since the last year of high school tends to fly quickly, it is essential to understand the best time to start planning for college so that a solid path is set. Although many people feel that the college years are far away for sophomores in high school, it is a good time to begin discussing college. It is a time to start thinking of places where a student may wish to attend. The best opportunity to get some ideas is at a college fair.
Most high schools host one or two of these events each year. It is also the period when a student should become more serious with his or her extracurricular activities. When a person joins a club, it is a wise idea to take some kind of leadership role. In the classroom, it is smart to take some challenging courses.
The fall of sophomore year may be a good time to take the PSATs as well. When a student becomes a junior in high school, it is time to become more specific about possible majors and college choices. By the end of the year, a list of five colleges should be selected and visited.
Since universities like potential students to be well-rounded, it is wise to join a number of activities and sports, including organizations inside and outside of school. Tuition is by far the biggest college expense. Other costs, however, such as housing, meal plans, and textbooks , can add up quickly. Many students pay out of pocket for things like extracurricular activities and clubs, study abroad programs , and car insurance.
Altogether, these expenses make researching and applying for financial aid a necessity for most degree-seekers. Source: College Board. Financial aid comes in many forms. You should start by looking for scholarships.
Many colleges award merit-based scholarships to incoming students with high GPAs and strong test scores. You should also consider ways you can save money in college. Depending on the school you attend, you may find that living off campus and buying groceries costs less than living in a dorm and purchasing a meal plan. Another cost-saving option is to opt for an online degree. Online programs often charge lower tuition rates than campus-based programs and may exempt students from certain fees.
Finally, students may choose to appeal their financial aid packages to try to get more money if the awards they receive aren't enough to cover the cost of college. Applying to college entails keeping track of many important dates and deadlines. When you start college planning, use a calendar or planner to help you stay on top of every deadline. If you need help, visit your high school's college planning center or make an appointment to speak with your guidance counselor.
Your counselor can walk you through key deadlines and offer valuable advice about what you can start doing now to prepare for college application season.
College may seem like a lifetime away on your first day of high school. However, it's important to start your college planning early — ideally in ninth grade. Doing this gives you the chance to consider the advice of college planning experts and set long-term goals, all while earning good grades and staying involved with extracurriculars. Many students get help from their parents or guardians during the college planning process. Your parents or guardians can help hold you accountable to your academic and extracurricular obligations.
They may even help you open a college savings account. Just as importantly, your parents or guardians can provide you with valuable encouragement and advice. Below is a college planning checklist high school students can use to keep track of key milestones and goals.
You can also download the checklist here. Students entering high school often find themselves inundated with opportunities to learn about higher ed. Even though college typically remains a full four years away, ninth grade is a crucial year for college prep, as it's when grades begin counting toward your cumulative high school GPA. Ninth graders should primarily focus on choosing classes to fulfill college prerequisites. Most colleges and universities maintain the same set of general requirements:.
Students who begin fulfilling college course requirements in ninth grade may be able to enjoy a more relaxed schedule their junior and senior years, allowing them to pursue other college prep programs and activities in their spare time. As you review your high school's course offerings, consider challenging yourself in one or more subjects you enjoy by taking honors classes if available at your school.
You may want to keep a list of career opportunities that appeal to you the most. Sophomores may want to start setting up meetings with their high school guidance counselor to discuss college planning. These professionals can explain schools' requirements and help students identify schools that most closely match their academic and career interests.
Counselors can also provide valuable information on topics like financial aid, college applications, and entrance exams. Tenth graders can benefit from exposing themselves early on to the types of standardized tests they'll most likely need to take to get into college.
You can use your performance on your chosen practice test to help you identify areas for improvement and begin preparing for the actual SAT or ACT as a junior. If the extracurriculars you chose the previous year no longer match your interests, feel free to switch activities.
That said, you should try to commit to any new activities for the remainder of high school. Colleges like to see passion, consistency, and dedication. While sports remain a popular activity, students may explore other options, such as debate and student government. High schoolers should also consider engaging in service opportunities to give back to their communities. Your high school or another organization in your local community likely hosts one or more college fairs throughout the year.
Attend a fair to network with representatives and learn more about colleges in your state and beyond. In terms of college prep, the second half of high school is far more intensive than the first. College-bound high school students must complete many different tasks during their junior and senior years.
The more they accomplish in 11th grade, the more pressure they can remove from themselves in 12th grade. Doing exceptionally well on this exam can qualify you for a National Merit scholarship as well. AP classes and tests give you the chance to earn college credit and impress college admissions officers. Talk to a teacher or advisor and consider taking AP classes in your best subjects.
Continue with your rigorous courses and extracurricular activities. It is a good idea for you to seek out internships in the areas that you might be interested in for your future career during this year. For example, if you think you might want to be a doctor some day, then consider finding out about a medical externship program at your local hospital for high school students. This will help you to get more information about your possible career choice and whether it is something that you truly want to do.
Your junior year should also contain some focused preparation time for your ACT or SAT that most students take in the second half or summer after junior year. If you have top grades, great scores and an excellent resume of extracurriculars, volunteer activities and internships, you should consider applying to the colleges of your choice via the early action or early decision process.
Doing so may improve your chances of getting accepted. Do not slack off with your studies. If your scores need a boost, take the tests during the fall and apply to colleges during the regular application period.
Getting accepted to the college of your dreams is a marathon rather than a sprint. By taking the long view and beginning early in your preparatory process, you may stand a better chance of being accepted to the school of your choice. The professionals at Going Ivy can help you throughout the entire process.
Call us today to get started on your journey. Call Now When to Start. Freshman Year When you start your freshman year, you will begin with a clean academic slate.
Sophomore Year When you reach your sophomore year, it is time for you to again take as many rigorous courses that you can. Senior Year If you have top grades, great scores and an excellent resume of extracurriculars, volunteer activities and internships, you should consider applying to the colleges of your choice via the early action or early decision process.
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