Start a resume. Keep track of all activities, awards, honors etc. Update
this resume yearly. If you do not do it as things happen, it will be hard
to remember everthing as a senior.
Build your resume. Get involved in sports, activities, community service,
something! Colleges want more than just smart students; they want whole
students.
Take as many honors classes as you can successfully handle. Honors classes
prepare you best for college and help you immensely in college admissions.
Remember it is better to get a B in an honors class than an A in a regular
class. Take AP/IB tests in the spring if available.
Take the PSAT as a freshman, sophomore and junior. It is the best practice
for the SAT. Make sure to review the PSAT test booklet and answer sheet
when returned. This will give you important feedback on strengths and
weaknesses.
Surf the web. Almost all colleges have web sites now with tons of
information. It is the best way to learn about colleges other than
visiting. The web also has lots of scholarship information on it!
Visit colleges. It is never too early to start. Contact the collges or
check their web sites for tour information, reservations, etc. If you save
all college visits until later in high school, they will all blur together
and you will run out of time. Think about combining family vacations with
college visits.
Take the SAT Subject Test in a subject while the subject if freshest in
your mind. For example, if you earn an A in biology, take the SAT Subject
Test in biology in June of that same year. When you finish chemistry
successfuly, consider a June SAT Subject Test in chemistry.
Make an appointment to see your counselor from time to time. Do not wait
for us to get to you. There are many of you and only a few of us.
Counselors can review your transcripts and look ahead to your four year high
school plan. It is a great way to get educated about college.
Do not forget to build at least one year of visual and performing arts in
your schedule sometime over the four years. This is an entrance requirement
both for UC and CSU.
Get the best grades possible-nothing lower than a C.
Read, read, read-from the English reading list or other sources.
Start a student college planner at www.csumentor.edu.
