Preparing for College: 10 Steps to Follow in High School by a High Schooler

Mar 11

If in fact, you are like me, you have been worrying about the future, making sure that you are taking the right steps to get into your dream school. My hope in writing this is that I can provide both you and me a beginning road map and that when the day comes we all see the words “You have been accepted to…” . This blog will go through 10 important steps that you should be taking as a highschooler for college readiness. Good Luck fellow Peers!

Preparing for College: Sophomore Year

DRAFT A HIGH SCHOOL RESUME
On this resume try to include your personal achievements and academic accomplishments that you would like to be recognized for
By starting early, you can see what areas of growth you have on this resume, and ways you can expand for the latter two years of your high school career.
GET A JOB
The best thing you can do for yourself as you prepare for college is to make sure that you can afford it. Getting a job supplements you in so many ways: You can save money for college, you learn valuable skills, you learn how to manage time between work and school, and you can add it to your resume as experience.
In addition/replacement to a job you can also volunteer during the summer at camps or even take internships or shadow opportunities.

Preparing for College: Junior Year

FIGURE OUT WHAT SAT/ACT SCORE YOU NEED TO GET INTO THE COLLEGE OF YOUR CHOICE
In the fall try to take the PSAT to get an idea of what the real SAT is like
SAT is on a scale of 0-1600, being broken down by Math(800 points) and reading(800 points)
ACT is on a scale of 0-36 with points being added up and then formatted on the 36 point scale. English is worth 75pts, Math 60 pts, Science 40pts, Reading 40 pts. This raw score is what gets converted into the 0-36 range.
For studying tips and practice, utilize the CollegeBoard Website and books such as the Princeton Review, Official ACT and Official SAT. Make sure your book versions are up to date for that current year
Begin studying for these tests 2-3 months beforehand so you have enough time to fully let the material sink in and you can pick away at the tiny nuances in grammar or math that you still aren’t understanding.
LEADERSHIP
Begin to take a more active role in your clubs and run for Class President if that interests you.
Leadership is what can separate you from the thousands of other applicants with the same academics as you.
Taking charge in a club and making a difference shows your return back to the community and the strong figurehead qualities that you may possess.
The National Honors Society is one organization that it is really important to try and have an impact in.
EVALUATE ALL OF YOUR POST HIGH SCHOOL OPTIONS
Depending on what career path you choose, 4 year university may not always be the best for what you need. Some avenues you may consider are:
1. Vocational School
  1. In this schooling system you go to school to learn a specific skill for a job. Examples of vocational jobs are: Construction, Auto Servicing, Manufacturing and Trucking
2. 2 Year University
  1. In 2 Year University you can earn an Associates Degree. An Associates Degree is generally for Social Services, Liberal Arts and Humanities.
  2. 2 Year University is generally a good option if you can’t afford a 4 year education
3. Military School
  1. If you choose to become a patriot and serve the country, then military school is the place for you to attend.
4. 4 Year University
  1. The most common of all the options, a 4 year university allows you to get a bachelor's degree which can be the stepping stone to a Masters Degree. A Bachelor's Degree can get you into most jobs and over time you would rise in the company as you develop a leadership presence.
5. Grad-School Masters and Doctorate Degrees
  1. Finally, the most expensive of the options would be Graduate School after completing your Bachelors Degree. In Graduate School you would attend another 4-6 years of education depending on your profession and you would get a Masters Degree, and after that, a Doctorate’s degree(PhD).
  2. For some professions such as medicine, there is also a residency program that occurs after undergraduate school.

Preparing for College: Junior Year Summer/Senior Year Fall

VISIT COLLEGES AS EARLY AS YOU ARE PREPARED
Before you even plan on attending a specific college, it is always advisable to visit it.
Some things to look for on your college visit are:
1. Campus Life - Is It Lively?
2. Do you like the Campus Layout? Is it appealing to you? Is it clean?
3. Location - Are classes close?
4. Also make sure that you talk to students and faculty - Ask questions as much as you can. The best way to learn is from experience
5. For more tips visit: https://www.unigo.com/get-to-college/college-visits/checklist-what-to-look-for-during-campus-visits
When you visit colleges, when you visit is important
1. The main visiting seasons are:
  1. Spring Break of Junior Year (If you are ready at this point)
  2. Summer of Senior Year - Try to knock out as many locations as possible
  3. Fall of Senior Year - You can start to see what campus life is like when school is actually in session
1. Take pictures, Take Notes, and Don’t be afraid to ask questions
HAVE A CHECKLIST OR ORGANIZATION SYSTEM
1. By far, the most important step in planning for college is having an organization system.
2. Use a Spreadsheet and organize the colleges by different criteria
  1. Look up College Spreadsheet Organizers online and see which templates work for you
3. Possible Criteria to include are: Tuition Costs, Average GPA, Average Test Scores, Notes about the Campus, How Much you want to go there (1-10), Important Application Dates (etc.)
4. Have someone to reach out too besides your parents such as a counselor
  1. This counselor or adviser can help you organize everything and if you can break things down into manageable steps, everything goes much smoother.
START DRAFTING/WRITING COLLEGE ESSAYS
1. You should aim to begin these essays by the summer going into your Senior year
2. Really think about the prompt, give yourself time to organize your thoughts and put your best work in it
3. You are going to have to write multiple essays depending on how many colleges you apply to, so take your time
PAY ATTENTION TO IMPORTANT REGISTRATION DATES
1. Use A Calendar!!
  1. It can’t be stressed enough. Even if you are a person that generally compartmentalizes information in your head, there are simply way too many dates to remember. Use a calendar to organize your schedule and stay on top of everything
2. You can not and should not forget any deadlines because if you miss them your application is over. There is no flexibility with college applications so you must be on time
3. Look out for early application dates. It is always recommended that you apply early if that is possible for you
  1. Increases your admission chances
  2. You get results back faster
APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID
1. College is very expensive so it is important to apply for financial aid
2. Watch out for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) Deadline
3. For more information go to: FAFSA® Application | Federal Student Aid
4. Make sure that you manage your money wisely so Student Loans don’t pile up in the future

Finally, go out there and have fun! (From what I have read) the best part about highschool is exploring your interests so you can pursue them in college. If you follow these 10 steps and have a support system ready for you for guidance, you will have an easy process while applying. My hope is for all of us to see “You have been accepted too…” when we open that letter from our dream universities and so I wish you the best!

Helpful Resources:

https://www.goingmerry.com/blog/college-readiness-checklist/

https://www.petersons.com/blog/11th-grade-college-planning-timeline/

https://nymag.com/strategist/article/best-act-sat-prep-books.html

https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/act-score-chart

https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/pdf/scoring-sat-practice-test-1.pdf

https://www.nhs.us/

https://www.unigo.com/get-to-college/college-visits/checklist-what-to-look-for-during-campus-visits

Image: https://blog.wealthfront.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/o-COLLEGE-ACCEPTANCE-facebook-1536x768.jpg, Wealthfront Blog, 10/21/22

preparing for college