sophomore year timeline
Sophomore year is the time to get serious about academics and extracurricular activities. If your freshman year was not what you hoped it would be, don't worry. You can get a fresh start as a sophomore. Colleges appreciate students who are able to make a comeback as a student after a not-so-stellar first year. If you did well freshman year, good for you! You've set yourself up for an even better sophomore year.
Academics
Work with your school counselor to make sure that you are taking college prep courses that ensure your eligibility for colleges you might want to attend. 10th grade is a good time to 'up' the number of challenging courses you take, as sophomore year is when many good students take their first AP class.
Extracurricular Activities
Sophomore year is also a good time to focus your activities on three or four areas that you really enjoy. If your school doesn't offer what you want, create it or go outside of school to get involved. Even as you develop your interests, keep exploring interesting possibilities as they come up.
Keep a record of absolutely everything you do, including activities, one-day or weekend conferences or sports events, summer programs, jobs (including babysitting), independent lessons or projects, volunteer experiences, honors and awards. You will need to recall these things for the activities sections of your applications.
Testing
Read, read, read, and also build your vocabulary. Both of the latter will help you perform better on the verbal parts of the SAT and ACT.
The more familiar you are with admissions tests, the better you will probably do on them. Take the PSAT as a practice test.
If languages are your forte, know that all Subject Test Language with Listening tests are only given on the November SAT test date. Consult with your language teacher about whether you are prepared to take a test.
Academics
No matter if you are a very good, decent or poor student, if any class seems to give you trouble, immediately ask for help from the teacher and/or consider getting a tutor.
College Visits
Some sophomores are interested in looking at colleges; some are not. If you live near a college or pass by some as you go on family vacations, just driving through different campuses can give you a sense for what different colleges look and feel like.
Counselors and Teachers
Develop good relationships with your counselor and teachers. Not only will this help you with college admissions, but it will make your high school experience richer and more enjoyable.
Researching Colleges
In a very casual way, begin collecting information about colleges as you read about them in magazines and newspapers.
Classes and Grades
Study for your first finals and try to ace them.
Classes and Grades
Be prepared, if not over prepared, for your finals.
Extracurricular Activities
Take stock of how you are spending your time in and out of school. Is there anything you want to add or eliminate from your schedule? Make sure that everything you do is either something you enjoy or "counts" academically.
Classes and Grades
Stay on top of your classes. Aim for the best grades you can get. Nothing is more important to college admissions than good grades.
Extracurricular Activities
Begin thinking about what you want to do this coming summer. Colleges are very interested in what you do when you are not in class, especially your summers. Make sure you choose something you really enjoy.
Testing
Sign up for any Subject Tests for AP classes in which you are enrolled.
Begin researching and making contact with the best test tutors in town so that you will have a place with one of them next year. The best tutors are often booked months in advance.
Make sure that you are signed up for AP tests that are given at your school in May.
Classes and Grades
Carefully choose your junior year classes, taking into consideration the rigor of the program and balance in your life.
Extracurricular Activities
Finalize your summer plans.
Testing
Take the AP test for any AP class in which you are enrolled.
Classes and Grades
Ace your Finals.
Take the Subject Tests for any AP classes that you have just completed.
College Visits
While on vacations, swing by any colleges that are nearby just to have a look at what different colleges look like. If you have the interest and the time, walk around the campuses.
Extracurricular Activities
Make sure that you do something fun, interesting, or important with your summer.
Spend your summer well by doing what you enjoy, but also make sure that it is something that colleges will take note of when you fill out their applications. Of all things, don't be a couch potato.