Remember the beginning stages of the college planning and the college application process begin now. Grades are very important, so make sure you are focusing on being successful in your classes. Now is a good time to begin working on study skills. Do you know how you learn best? Make sure you are taking the right classes and are on track to take the right classes. Some of the classes you might take now are prerequisites for classes you might need later. Some colleges require certain classes for acceptance. Get involved, start exploring the things you are interested in through clubs, student organizations, sports, volunteering, travel and faith communities. If you can’t find it, start it. Colleges like to see a deeper level of involvement, commitment and leadership over superficial membership to many different groups. Most colleges require tests such as the SAT or ACT, so it helps to get practice with formal testing. Consider taking the PSAT during your sophomore year. You will want to produce the strongest results possible to maximize your options. Work with your guidance counselor to make sure you are taking the right classes and are on track with the college planning process. Continue exploring your interests and finding ways to get involved. (see Freshman Year). Continue working on your academic skills, especially writing. Really focus on bringing your grades up or maintaining them if they have been good. Colleges do put more importance on your grades during your last two years of school. Your goal is to demonstrate that you are ready for college-level work. Pay attention to the information that your school’s college or guidance counselor is distributing on college planning. If you haven’t heard anything check in with them. If your school lacks counselors or the counselors are overwhelmed get help from outside experts. Get organized, you’ll be gathering a lot of information and it will be helpful to have a system to maintain it. Conduct a self-assessment, begin to explore your natural abilities, interests, values and other preferences as they will have an impact on the type of colleges to consider. First semester of junior year is a good time to consider taking some career tests to aid in your college planning. If you haven’t already, consider taking the PSAT, if you do well, you can qualify for National Merit Semifinalist status which makes you eligible for possible National Merit scholarships. If you mark on your PSAT answer sheet that you wish to receive materials from colleges, then schools will send you information if your PSAT score suggests that you would qualify for admission. Plan to take the SAT or the ACT, in the spring, if you can take a review course or do some self-study— all the better. Make sure that you are getting to know some of your teachers and that they are getting to know you— you’ll need letters of recommendation down the line. Start researching colleges, create your own evaluation sheet based on what is important to you. Hopefully this is well informed based on a detailed self-assessment. There is a lot of information online but try and go to any college fairs in your area. Start arranging campus visits, many schools will have formal programs or weekend events. Make sure you ask a lot of questions and not just to the students and staff in the admissions office. It is best to visit when the school is in session, so you can get a real taste of what life is like there—make sure it fits you. Get ready for the college application process by starting to request applications from the schools that interest you the most. Start giving some thought to your essays, putting down some ideas or rough outlines Depending on your scores, you might want to retake the SAT or ACT to see if you can bring them up. Stay in touch with your college counselors regarding your college planning and where you are in the college application process. Don’t let down on your studies—beware of senioritis. Narrow down the colleges you want to apply to. It is a good rule of thumb to apply to some that are probably a sure thing, some that look like a good match and some that might be a reach for you. Make every effort to visit colleges you are applying to. Complete and mail your applications and secure solid letters of recommendation on time.