For the best chance of success, you need to begin preparing long before it’s time to apply. The better prepared you are, the easier it will be to do everything that’s required for getting into college and getting on with your dreams.
Following are six steps to help you prepare for college:
1. Develop good study habits, take challenging courses and get involved in school- and community-based extracurricular activities.
2. Discuss career and college options with your parents or guardians.
Today, some form of formal postsecondary education or training is required for almost every well-paying job. With $60 billion in financial aid available, college is possible for almost every American. So aim high, explore your options, and plan to attend college.
3. Make sure you are on the right track with courses in middle school or junior high.
If you don’t take the right courses in middle school, it could make the Smart Core Curriculum, which you should take in high school, more difficult.
4. Meet with a guidance counselor to map out your high school curriculum and familiarize yourself with the college admissions and financial aid processes.
If you have taken the right courses in middle school, you should be prepared for the Smart Core Curriculum in high school. For the graduating class of 2010 and beyond, students will be required to meet the Smart Core Curriculum requirements of 22 units. Smart Core courses offer you the best opportunities to succeed in technical, school, community college or a four-year university.
Your high school guidance counselor should also be able to provide you with information on the college admissions and financial aid processes, or point you toward the right reference materials.
5. Research colleges and narrow your options.
There are many resources available, both in print and on the Internet, to help you search for colleges by special characteristics or academic offerings and learn about specific colleges. After your have done some initial research is the right time to add any special considerations, such as price, distance from home, or religious affiliation.
6. Make sure you take any required college admissions tests and submits all admissions, financial aid, and – if necessary – campus housing paperwork on time.
Setting up a calendar with all the various tasks and deadlines can be very helpful. You can start taking admission tests as early as 10th grade, which gives you time to re-take the test if necessary.
This is information is provided in part by the American Council on Education, collegeispossible.org.