Your goal as a hardworking student is to do well and to get into a good college. It is critical to understand when to begin preparing for college admission. If you begin the process as soon as possible, it will go more smoothly. But when and how should you begin preparing for college? Here are some tips to help you prepare for college.
Prepare for College Now
If you are still in high school, now is the time to start thinking about college or university. Even if college appears to be a long way off, it will be here before you know it. Preparing for college takes time, effort, and dedication.
We provide many opportunities at The Tenney School, but it is up to you to take advantage of them. If you think about the future and learn how to plan for it, you will get the most out of high school.
Take the Appropriate High School Courses
Prepare to work hard in high school. Taking the most difficult classes (IB, Honors, AP, and Dual Enrollment) will benefit you in multiple ways. You will not only learn the course material, such as Algebra, Chemistry, or a foreign language, but also how to take notes, study, write, take tests, manage your time, think critically, and more in college prep classes. If you have these skills, you will be prepared for the rigors of college classes.
Some high schools offer Advanced Placement (AP) classes, and others offer International Baccalaureate (IB) classes or Dual Enrollment, which allows you to earn college credit while still in high school. Students receive dual credit for IB and AP courses if they take the IB Higher Level test or the AP exam at the end of the course.
Maintain an Extracurricular Record
Keep track of your activities outside of school. There are several ways to inquire about them on college applications. At The Tenney School, we keep track of your classes, grades, and credits. Everything else is your responsibility to keep track of.
Make a list of everything you’ve done, such as sports, clubs, volunteer work, community service, part-time jobs, and so on, and keep it in one place so you can apply to colleges. Begin after eighth grade, when you were already in high school, and continue until your senior year.
Keep track of how much time you spent on each activity, and look for patterns that indicate you accomplished something significant. Don’t forget to list your awards, honors, and leadership positions. This list will be extremely useful when applying to colleges and for scholarships or creating a resume. It’s difficult to remember everything if you wait until your senior year to reflect on what you’ve done.
Prepare for College Entrance Exams
Undoubtedly, college entrance exams are one of the most important things colleges and universities look for in new students. Learn about the standard college entrance exams and what the colleges you’re interested in require or recommend. US universities accept both ACT and SAT, but some students prefer one over the other. Some colleges may also advise or require you to take the optional writing portion of the tests.
You must select which test you wish to take. Some students elect to take both exams. College entrance exams are best taken during your junior year of high school, but some motivated sophomores at The Tenney School take them to see how they do and to prepare.
Ready for College?
Getting into their dream college is a dream come true for most people. By starting early, you increase your chances of getting into the school of your choice.Contact us at The Tenney School today to learn more about preparing your child for college.