Plan For College

If you're a freshman, it's much too early to start panicking about standardized tests, but getting ready for college is a process that extends over your entire high school career and includes much more than just testing. It's important that you put yourself on the right track by starting long-term preparation.

Ongoing Activities

1. Begin to evaluate your abilities, interests, and future goals. What motivates you academically? This doesn't mean you need to decide what career you want to pursue (and even if you think you know, keep an open mind—you may discover something even better for you later).
2. Sign up for challenging classes. Colleges look for indications of self-motivation and potential from each student.
3. Work hard on your academics. Your grades are an extremely important factor in admissions decisions.
4. Get involved in your school and in the wider community. Academics aren't the only important thing. Join extracurricular activities that show good citizenship and develop your leadership skills. Pick activities that you really enjoy. Competitive colleges are interested in activities that you've devoted yourself to rather than those you've done for only a brief time in the hopes of improving your application.
5. Become familiar with your school's Career Center and Resource Center. Meet the counselors and seek advice and guidance from them.
6. Sophomores in advanced academic programs are encouraged to take the PSAT in October and one of the SAT Subject tests in May or June.