How to Prepare For College

Junior Year Action Plan:

This is one of the most critical times in your high school career, as junior year will be the last fully completed semester/school year you have on your transcripts when you apply to colleges!

• Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your college plans.  Review your schedule with him or her to be sure you are enrolled in classes that will help you prepare for college.
• Stay INVOLVED in extracurricular activiities.
• Continue maintaining a list of your activities, awards, community service etc.  This will make completing college applications much easier when you are a senior.
• Make lists of your abilities, preferences and personal qualities.  List things you may want to study in college.  Take surveys that will help identify majors that fit your interests.
• Go to college fairs and visits and ask questions to gain more information about schools/locations you may be interested in visiting for your college selection.
• Continue  your college search by making a list of 15 - 20 colleges you would like to explore. Share this list with your parents and discuss the kind of college you are interested in attending.
• Research the colleges on your list online. Things to pay attention to when researching colleges, include the colleges' accreditation, the location size and location, the programs of study, the cost,  scholarships, as well as the clubs, organizations and athletics offered.
•  Send letters or e-mails to the colleges that you are most interested in considering, requesting more information and evaluate the material that is sent.  
• Register for the ACT, SAT, or PSAE (a practice exam)- and sign up for prep courses.
• Want to know the difference between the ACT and the SAT exams and which one you may do better on? Check out: 
  http://www.actstudent.org/faq/answers/actsat.html or
  http://www.princetonreview.com/college/testprep/testprep.asp?TPRPAGE=141
• Interested in playing sports in college?  Recruiting rules say that coaches can't officially begin to recuit and contact you until you are a senior but you can begin to contact them via email with information about upcoming tournaments, championships or games you may be playing in (coaches are more likely to come see you play if they can also see other prospective athletes play-that's why tournaments or championship play is a good option).
• VISIT, VISIT, VISIT!!!  Junior year in the spring and during the summer following the school year is the time to go out and visit your top choice colleges so that you are prepared to apply as early as possible in the fall of senior year.
• Look for a great summer opportunity - job, internship or volunteer experience.