Completing graduation requirements is your first goal, but keep college objectives in mind. Make lists of your abilities, preferences and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college. Choose your courses carefully and consider honors or AP classes.
Don’t be a GPA “Junkie”. Colleges look at more than your GPA. All colleges consider extra curricular activities, leadership roles and community service. Many students can tie on GPA, but it is the other “stuff” that sets you apart.
If you enroll in an AP class, prepare to take the corresponding exam in May. Good scores may earn you credit or placement at most colleges.
Update your high school planner with the courses you completed in 10th grade. Meet with the counselor to re-evaluate your planned courses for 11th-12th grades.
The semester grades you earn this year will be used by all colleges for admission purposes. UC advises students to maintain a 3.5 GPA in a-g courses (see table on reverse). Review your transcript and plan to take courses to replace those grades below a “C”. Remember that entrance in to a UC or CSU system and many other colleges, requires a grade of “C” or higher to meet the subject requirements.
Take the PSAT test in October. This is a preliminary test for the SAT Reasoning Test used for college admissions. Once you receive your score report (December) you will have free access to MyRoad.com, an excellent college search tool! The PSAT is also the qualifying test for the National Merit Scholarship Program. See the counselor to compare your PLAN scores with your PSAT results.
While maintaining your school work, you must plan to take college entrance exams. Schedule the ACT and/or SAT late in the spring semester. Test dates fill up quickly, so register online early. Test preparation helps are plentiful; begin with the test makers own websites:
www.collegeboard.com and
www.actstudent.org. In addition, practice answering test questions using the test prep site created by UC:
www.cavhs.org.
Which test is right for me? Most Colleges use either the ACT or the SAT in determining your admission eligibility.
ACT: The ACT covers four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading and science. The sum of these scores is the score for the ACT that is used for College admissions. Students are recommended to take the ACT with the Writing Test.
SAT: The SAT consists of three sections: Critical Reading, Math and Writing. Scores from Critical Reading and Math are used for admission to all Colleges. Also available are various SAT Subject tests; two are required by UC for admission.
You may use CSU Diagnostic Writing Service to evaluate your writing skills. Or, use the CSU Mathematics Diagnostic Testing to evaluate your math skills needed for college. Go to
www.csumentor.edu.
Attend College Fairs. Visit college campuses! Take virtual tours online, then visit the real campuses. Refine your college selections and then look into scholarships.
Plan summer activities early. Enrich yourself by volunteering, get an interesting job or internship or sign up for a summer learning program.