Organize College Information
Start a spreadsheet like this with entrance requirements (recommendation letters, minimum ACT/SAT scores, minimum GPA), tuition, room and board costs, course offerings, student activities, financial aid, etc. Then begin comparing the schools by the factors that are most important to you and rank your choices.
- Make sure you’re meeting any special requirements. For example, if you want to play Division I or II sports in college, start the NCAA certification process and check with your counselor to make sure you’re taking a core curriculum that meets NCAA requirements.
- Now is a great time to get key information using the College Scorecard for the schools that you are thinking about. Visit each school’s website to see if virtual tours are available.
Talk with your family
Have a discussion about the colleges you’re interested in. Your family can learn about what you want to pursue and you can hear any concerns or suggestions they might have.
Talk to your family about how much money you have for college. This is a tough but important conversation. It’s the worst to find out spring of your senior year that you just can’t afford colleges you applied to.
The cost of college doesn’t have to be a surprise to you and your family next year. Be sure to check out the financial aid resources.
Financial Aid
Learn more about financial aid. Examine your family’s financial resources and gather information about financial aid from the schools you’re interested in. High-school sponsored financial aid nights, college financial aid counselors, and advice articles online are also good sources of information.
Take the PSAT
Taking this standardized test qualifies you for the National Merit Scholarship program, which means you could earn money for college. In addition, it’s a good way to practice for the SAT and ACT.
