As you prepare for your sophomore year, don’t forget that it’s never too late to start looking toward what you want to do after high school (Yes! There is life after high school!! J
More later – this is enough to process now. :-o
Just remember that planning ahead is always the best strategy.
- Remember, your admission to college will really be based on the courses you take and grades you receive during your 9th, 10th, and 11th grade years, since most students apply to college during the 1st semester of their senior year. Take a little time this summer to go over your schedule for next year to make sure that the classes you are taking are the most rigorous you are capable of taking. College admissions folks want to see that you have taken the most demanding courses you can successfully take.
- A good GPA is important to college admissions, but so are your extracurricular activities. Colleges want to see well-rounded students. Do some volunteer work with your local soup kitchen or animal shelter. Help with activities at your church. Take a look at the clubs and activities available through your school next year. AND don’t just participate once. It looks very good on your college application if you have stayed with a club or activity for a period of time and have worked up to a leadership in that organization.
- Testing! No one likes it, but it’s still important. Plan to take the PSAT as a practice your sophomore year. It is really a junior test, but is a great diagnostic tool to help you determine your academic strengths and weaknesses. Plan to take it again your junior year since this is the year that you could earn National Merit Scholarships with a great score on the PSAT. Also, the PSAT is the only test you register for at your school. You must register for the SAT and ACT online, but must go through your school to register for the PSAT. I know!! Confusing, isn’t it?!!
- If you plan to participate in your school’s Dual Enrollment program, plan to take the SAT or ACT during the 2nd semester of your sophomore year. Dual Enrollment programs with 2- or 4-year colleges require SAT or ACT scores. If you plan to Dual Enroll with a technical college, you will need to take the COMPASS test (usually given on the campus of that school).
More later – this is enough to process now. :-o
Just remember that planning ahead is always the best strategy.