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High School/College Prep
Okay, here we go...all of a sudden you have to take preparing for college seriously. Where did time go? As you plan to enter high school, these next four years will be very important to your being accepted at the college of your choice. Being accepted to a college is very competitive. More and more students are attending college than ever before! Colleges are looking at how you challenged yourself during your four years of high school. So, be sure you are taking the courses that not only meet college entrance requirements, but that signals to the schools that you maintained a high level of academic challenge right to the end. Don't think you can take "easy" courses your senior year. That really throws up a red flag to the school(s)!
The first step toward planning your high school courses is to meet with your high school counselor. Your counselor can give you an understanding of "core" courses and how many years of each will be required for college admissions. REMEMBER: Although schools typically require two years of math...go the extra mile and take math all four!
Making top grades...got to do it! Schools want to have some sort of a guide that you are into study habits along with being prepared for the rigors of college. Of course, your overall grade point average (GPA) is the #1 indicator of how well you have conquered your studies!
Depending on the size of your high school, the admissions process takes into account your class rank. Some schools like the actual number (3/102), others prefer a percentage (in the upper 5%). All of this means how you have been compared to others in your class.
Guess what else...the dreaded TESTS like ACT, SAT and PSATs. Fortunately, there are pre-tests for all of these to prepare you for the types of questions asked and where you can brush up on your skills. The weight schools give to these tests varies. Check with the Admissions office and find out which test is required for that school. Meet with your high school counselor to get scheduled in on the test dates. Don't miss the date!
Okay, so you've been studying hard, but that's not all. Schools like to see a "well-rounded" individual. Meaning, throw in some extracurricular activities (lead the group and be chosen president of a club), community service and sports. These are wonderful contributions to your own self worth and schools really look for these accomplishments.
When it's all said and done, dream your dream...what will you do in the future? Preparing now eliminates any disappointments!
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