Get College Ready: College Prep for High School Students
College admissions can seem like a rabbit hole. While you may know where the entrance is, there are probably some questions regarding the steps you need to take to get through planning successfully.
Sophomore Year:
“When should I start preparing for college?”
It’s one of the most common questions high school students and their parents ask. Most students begin getting ready for college their sophomore year of high school. Your college prep work at this stage is focused on getting your GPA in shape and preparing for college entrance exams by taking PSAT practice tests. Take advantage of PSAT, SAT and ACT study tools, too, but remember not to overdo it – you’re still early in the process, and being hyper-focused on the college admissions process can cause unhealthy stress. Enjoy your high school years!
| Fall | GPA Control: Identify weaknesses in your grades and seek tutoring to strengthen problem subjects. AP/Dual Credit: Consider adding AP or Dual Credit courses in subjects you are strong in and enjoy, which can boost your GPA or help you begin earning college credit. |
| Spring | College Entrance Exam Prep and Practice: Use study tools available through your school to prepare for entrance exams. Take the free PSAT practice test and take it seriously.
Research College Majors-Begin thinking about what you’d like to study in college and do some online research about those majors and the kinds of classes required for the different majors. Virtual College Campus Tours: It’s never too early to tour a college campus at the convenience of your own home. Many websites offer virtual college tours through services like eCampusTours and CollegeView and that allow you to tour over a thousand college campuses right online. Take a video virtual tour of the University of St. Thomas in Houston – a virtual reality campus tour! |
| Summer | Summer Volunteering: Consider volunteer opportunities in your community for a good cause during the summer before junior year. This will build skill sets and provide resume-building experience that colleges and universities find attractive, and will offer you a life changing experience while fostering meaningful relationships. |
Junior Year:
By your junior year, planning for college has shifted into a higher gear. This is when to take the SAT and ACT and begin filling out scholarship applications. This is also when to decide which colleges to apply to. Remember, some colleges will require an admissions interview; find out if the schools to which you’re applying require an interview so you can begin practicing. You’ll also be scheduling college campus visits during the summer of your junior year, so plan ahead for travel, accommodations, expenses and coordinating with your family.
| Fall | Formal Exam Prep: Consider taking an SAT preparation course (involves cost) or ask the college counselor at your high school to help you find free resources to study and practice for the formal SAT exam. Exam Practice: Take another practice version of the SAT. The more experience you have practicing the test, the less anxiety will affect your performance on the test. |
| Spring | Official Exam: Focus on taking the official SAT or ACT early, which affords you the opportunity to take it again if you need to raise your score, or to get the exam out of the way, which frees up your time for searching for the right college. By now, you should have taken several SAT practice tests and/or ACT prep classes.
Scholarship Applications: Use www.scholarships.com to create a profile and receive a list of scholarship for which you are eligible to apply. Submit applications for as many as possible, since any you are awarded will help with college expenses wherever you decide to go. |
| Summer | College Requirements: Choose 10 colleges you are interested in and research the test score and GPA requirements for each of those schools. Visit Schools: Visit as many schools on your “Top 10” list as possible. Check out the respective schools’ social media platforms to get a sense of the various school communities. |
Senior Year:
The college admissions process gets serious your senior year. Have you ever asked “When should I apply to college?” Your senior year of high school is when to submit college applications. Narrow down your list, speak with each university’s admissions counselors, and submit the necessary college application materials. During this time, your parents will be filling out the FAFSA form to calculate your financial aid package. You can also apply for more scholarships. Don’t leave money on the table – the more scholarships for which you apply, the greater your chances of getting financial support to help with college costs.
| Fall | Refine Top 10 List: By this time you should refine your list of top 10 schools down to five you intend to apply to. Use the availability of your intended major, quality of education and list of student services as factors to help make your decision. Apply: Review your stats (GPA/Test Scores). Next, complete applications to each of your top five schools and be sure to include a well-written and thoroughly proof-read essay with each application. Make sure you check the email account you’ve used on your college applications for updates, and make sure your contact information is current.
SATs and ACTs Talk to an advisor. Once you’ve completed the SAT and ACT, it’s recommended that you and your parents meet with a college advisor who can give you advice on what to do with your finances, and the types of colleges you should apply for. It’s important to establish expectations about your college search before you commit to visiting colleges. |
| Spring | FAFSA: Begin filling out the FAFSA form, which is used to calculate your financial aid at all schools. Memorize your FAFSA PIN number, which allows you to go back to it to change or complete information.
Scholarship Applications: Continue applying for third-party scholarships, just as you did in your junior year. The more you apply for the better your chances of earning money. |
| Summer | College Scholarships: Research opportunities for scholarships specific to each of the top five schools and apply for any you may be eligible for. |
We hope this guide helps you create a road map for college planning whether you’re a high school student or the parent of a high school student. We realize both parents and students have a lot to accomplish throughout the college search and application processes so utilize this college planning timeline guide to help you stay on track. Good luck!