Prospective Families and Parents

First Year of High School

Get to know your interests

Begin to think about what areas of interest you are drawn to. Make sure your schedule includes courses in similar areas and add in some elective courses to meet your interests.

• Tip: To help understand your areas of interest, we recommend you:

  • Take an array of classes, join a few clubs and get a taste for different disciplines, especially things you've never tried before. High school is a great time to start exploring outside of your comfort zone.

  • Talk with people you know and meet. Start with your parents, teachers, coaches, and other mentors. Ask them all about their story. What experiences did they have? What worked for them and what didn't? If they could do it all over, what would they do differently, and what would they make sure they did again? What advice would they give to their younger selves and to you? And don't be afraid to start asking new people you meet. Networking and getting to know new people is a great way to expand your perspective and horizons.

Start to visit colleges and universities

Visit a few local colleges and universities to get a feel for what you like (for instance: large versus small campuses; city versus suburban schools). 

• Tip: Start a journal dedicated just to college visits. Every time you visit a college, whether for a tour, or simply attend a summer camp, take a few minutes to write down your top likes and dislikes for each university. It'll be a great reference in a couple of years to refresh your memory on how you felt about the college.

Begin to think about your resume

Look at admission requirements for the universities you are interested in. Now is a good time to begin to build your high school resume to meet some of those requirements.

• Tip: Don't get overwhelmed. You don't have to do everything all at once.

  • Academics: Meet with your high school guidance counselor to make sure you're selecting the right classes to meet all the academic requirements you need over the next four years.

  • Extracurricular experiences: For extracurricular activities, pick a few items to tackle each year of high school. And don't forget, summer can be a great time to fill in areas of experience you need, such as volunteering, part-time work or participating in an enriching summer camp.

Sophomore Year of High School

Deepen your experiences in your areas of interest

Explore different careers in the subjects you are interested in by taking academic courses that complement the fields you are interested in and attending summer experiences focused on these specialties.

• Tip: You may want to apply to work in jobs or volunteer opportunities that are in fields that interest you. For instance, if you are interested in education, working as a camp counselor or after-school tutor may help you prepare. Or if you are interested in healthcare, you may be able to sign up for a volunteer position at your local hospital or healthcare facility.

Visit colleges and universities in person

Visit more colleges and universities that appeal to you and connect with admissions counselors at each college. Counselors can help you understand the admission process, provide answers to your questions and send you valuable information. 

• Tip: Check with your guidance counselor for leads on colleges they recommend you visit.

Take the PSAT

Take the PSAT. College Board has lots of information about the tests.

• Tip: Taking the PSAT can set you up for certain scholarship considerations.

Junior Year of High School

Plan to take the SAT

Plan to take the SAT. You may choose to take the PSAT again for practice. Why take the SAT, even if it's not required at the school your applying for? It is a strong indicator that you're ready for college-level courses, and it can make your application stronger and more well-rounded. You only need to send your best scores to college, so it's a good idea to take it more than once.

• Tip: You may choose to take the PSAT again for practice.

Start to make a more specific plan based on your personal goals

Make a list of colleges and universities that are of particular interest to you and begin researching their specific admission requirements, programs of interest, tuition and financial aid.

• Tip: Take a look at the curriculum pages for your programs of interest and consider adding in additional courses or electives to your high school schedule that complement the subjects you plan to study.

• Tip: Check with your guidance counselor for leads on colleges they recommend visiting.

Research scholarship and financial aid opportunities

Inquire about financial aid, scholarships and grants. Your high school counselor can help you with this piece. You may also check with the universities you are applying to for more information.

• Tip: Most scholarships have deadlines early in your senior year of high school, so it's a good idea to start looking into scholarships that you might qualify for and mark your calendar for those deadlines. Also, don't disregard scholarships with lower amounts. Usually those are less competitive, and those awards can add up quickly if you apply for a few. Take a look at some of our scholarship search information and advice. 

Visit, visit, visit

Brochures and websites can only tell you so much. That feeling of "fit" often comes mainly from visiting the campus for yourself and picturing yourself doing what you love in an inspiring environment.

• Tip: Consider making a weekend out of visiting a handful of colleges with a buddy. Whether it's a parent, mentor or friend, sometimes having someone with you can help reduce some nerves you may be feeling. Don't forget your journal you started!

Senior Year of High School

You made it to the grand finale!

This year can be one of the most stressful, but if you have a good plan, it can also be the most exciting. We encourage you to try to live in the moment and cherish these last days in high school as you cross the finish line of the admission process.

Consider re-taking the SAT

You may want to retake the SAT in the fall. Your scores can make your application stronger and more well-rounded. You only need to send your best scores to college, so it's a good idea to take it more than once.

Apply for admission

Fill out the Common App early to be sure to meet deadlines for the colleges for which you want to apply. It opens on August 1.

Make a financial aid and scholarship plan — and complete the FAFSA

Every student who thinks they will need any form of financial aid should complete the online FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid form). It's free to complete.

Apply for scholarships and grants. Often colleges will automatically consider you for merit scholarships. These scholarships reduce your to attend the school and does not need to be repaid. In addition, you can apply for scholarships through local and national groups and organizations. We’ve compiled some of the best search engines and resources for you.

• Tip: Your high school counselor can help you with this. If your high school offers a financial aid information session, try to attend. Include your parents and family members in the process because they'll be able to help you access the types of documents you'll need.

Check your application status

Confirm the colleges you are applying to have received all your materials. Most universities have application portals where you can check the status of your application.

Enjoy the moment!

Receiving an acceptance letter — or a few — is a big moment! Enjoy it! You earned it.

Take the time to really consider your options when your acceptance letters come in. 

Visit again

Once you've received your acceptances, be sure to attend the admitted student events. It's a great way to get to know the university better, meet more of the professors, connect with the financial aid counselors and ask any more questions you may have. Once you commit to your university, let the other schools know that you are not accepting their offer.

Finish strong

Stay focused on your studies. Colleges may want to see your final transcript, so make sure you finish strong.

Congratulations and enjoy your senior year! Soak up the memories, and get ready to make new ones. Watch out for communications from your new college letting you know next steps for transitioning into college life. Begin to connect with your new classmates on social media platforms, and at accepted student and orientation events.