College planning starts freshman year of high school

College applications are generally due in the fall or winter of a high school student’s senior year, but the process of preparing for college should begin much earlier. Each year in high school presents opportunities for students to get ready for the college application process. Below are some ideas on what students and parents can do during the high school years to prepare for college.

Take challenging courses. As much as GPA is a significant part of a college application, maybe more important is the schedule of classes a student has taken. Talk to a guidance counselor and come up with a list college preparatory classes (honors, AP, IB) for each year in high school. Students should challenge themselves academically. As admissions counselors often say, “Take the hardest classes you can do well in”

Become involved (and continue to be involved) in extra-curricular activities. Volunteer, play sports, get a job, participate in the band / choir / drama / computer / gaming club. There’s something for every student to do after school. Colleges want to see what high school students do in their free; they’re looking for well-rounded applicants. Students should be able to account for their time after-school (2:30 – 5:30) and on weekends. Not every hour has to be busy, but in general students should be able to paint a picture of hours well spent.

Study. Sounds obvious, but grades even from freshman year will show up on the transcripts sent to colleges and universities. Put solid effort in the classroom and at home when studying. Also, determine whether to supplement the academic profile on transcripts with standardized test (ACT or SAT) scores. Colleges may or may not require them, but almost all will take them. A very good score is always worth sending as part of an application.

Visit colleges. Whether online or in-person, go to college websites, sign up for information sessions and take college tours (live and virtual). Whenever possible, visit a campus during the academic year when students are there. But even a trip during the summer will provide high school students with an idea of what that college might be like.

Do your research! Use college guides, talk to friends, search the internet (but don’t believe everything), and find out as much about schools as possible. Come up with a list that are good matches academically (student body with similar grades / test scores), socially (size of the university, Greek life or not, on-campus or off-campus housing), geographically (close to home, by the ocean / mountains / big city) and financially.

Keep all this in mind during your four years of high school. The more you prepare, the easier the college application process will be.