Freshman Year College Planning Guide
(Modified from the ACT College Planning Checklist)
Make the most of high school
- Take classes recommended for college preparation. Talk to your counselor.
- Use testing information. Examine your scores and take extra courses or get tutoring assistance for weaker academic areas.
- Establish goals for each school year. Talk to your counselor about what you should be doing in light of your college and career plans.
- Explore careers through research and experiences. Use job shadow programs or do internships in careers you are interested in pursuing.
- Surf the Internet for information on education and career planning. Our Rock Bridge Guidance Website has a lot of great information and helpful websites for post-secondary planning!
Plan challenging high school courses
Colleges care about which courses you're taking in high school. The courses you take in high school show colleges what kind of goals you set for yourself.
Are you signing up for advanced classes, honors sections, or accelerated sequences? Are you choosing electives that really stretch your mind and help you develop new abilities?Or are you doing just enough to get by?Electives are courses beyond the required core curriculum (4 English, 3 Social Studies, 3 Science, 3 Math, 1 PE, 1 Fine Art, .5 Practical Art, .5 Personal Finance, .5 Health, etc.) that students may select to meet total graduation requirements.
Competitive colleges will be more impressed by respectable grades in challenging courses than by outstanding grades in easy ones.
Do your high school course selections match what most colleges expect you to know? For example, many colleges require two to four years of foreign language study.Of course, each college and university may have different high school course requirements. Be sure to check with the colleges you're interested in to see what they recommend or require.
Become familiar with college entrance requirements
While particular requirements vary, every college sets some standard for evaluating prospective students.
Even colleges with an open admissions policy will look at your high school record and other factors to decide which courses you will be allowed to take. So it's worth knowing about admissions requirements before you start applying to colleges.
Start thinking about reasons for attending college
What do you want to be when you "grow up" and how will college help you get there?Although, college cannot be all things to all students, with proper planning it can meet your needs and expectations. High school is an excellent time to identify what you expect from college.
Use your interests, abilities, and preferences to help you choose a career and plan your education. As you decide which colleges and major(s) interest you, keep your long-term goals in mind. Decisions about college are part of the career planning process. For example, if you like science and technology and want to work with various kinds of physical evidence from a crime scene, look for a strong biology or forensic science program. Decide what you want from life and use college as a tool to help you get there.
Join/continue extracurricular activities
Attend summer camp at a college to experience a college-like atmosphere
Visit the Rock Bridge Guidance Website for a list of Summer Enrichment Opportunities
Research college costs and continue/start saving for college
Meet with your counselor at least once a year