Preparing for College

You may think that visiting college campuses and poring over college applications and financial-aid forms signals the start of the college-going process. In fact, you should start well before that. That is particularly important for students who have traditionally been less likely to attend college, and less likely to graduate.

The U.S. Department of Education, for instance, says you should start planning a high school course schedule in the seventh or eighth grade.

A school guidance counselor can help you determine which high school courses various colleges require or prefer. If you have a particular college in mind, check to see what they recommend. The federal Department of Education recommends college-bound students take:

	Four years of English, in courses such as composition and American, English and world literature.
	Three to four years of mathematics, including classes such as algebra I, algebra II, calculus, geometry, precalculus, and trigonometry.
	Two to three years of history and geography, in classes such as civics, geography, U.S. history and government, and world cultures and history.
	Two to four years of laboratory science in classes such as biology, chemistry, Earth science, and physics.
	Two to four years of a foreign language.
	One year of visual and performing arts, such as in art, dance, drama or music.
	One to three years of challenging electives in classes such as communications, computer science, economics or psychology.

The U.S. Department of Education points out that many of the courses recommended for college-bound students are also essential preparation for the college entrance examinations. Among those exams are:

	The SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) or the ACT Assessment. The SAT measures your verbal and mathematical reasoning abilities. The ACT Assessment measures your English, mathematics, reading, and science reasoning abilities. Students applying to colleges in the East and West usually take the SAT exam; those applying to schools in the South and Midwest often take the ACT. You should check the admission requirements at the schools you are interested in. The tests are usually offered in the junior and senior years of high school. You can take the tests more than once to try to improve a score. Books, from libraries or bookstores, can help you prepare for tests, as can some private organizations and companies.
	Many schools offer the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) to students in the 10th or 11th grade to help them prepare for the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT). If you do well on this test and meet other academic performance criteria, you may qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
	Some colleges require that you take one or more SAT subject tests in major areas of study. These tests are also known as SAT II tests. SAT II subject tests are offered in many areas of study including English, mathematics, sciences, history, and foreign languages. Consult with a guidance counselor about this early because the best time to take a test is right after you finish a course in a particular subject.

Other ways to prepare for college:

	Independent reading and study are a good way to develop interests, expand knowledge, and improve the vocabulary and reading comprehension skills needed for college and the SAT or ACT. The school library and the local public library are good sources of books, magazines, and newspapers.
	Extracurricular activities are a way for you to explore interests outside the classroom. Opportunities — such as the school newspaper, athletics, musical activities, and arts and drama — are offered by many school, community, and religious organizations.
	Work experience, whether it is paid or volunteer, can teach you discipline, responsibility, reliability, teamwork, and other skills. A summer job may be a good way to gain experience and earn money for college. But a school-year job should not consume so many hours that it interferes with your school work.
	Colleges also consider community service activities, such as tutoring younger children or volunteering at a hospital. Not only do those activities allow you to contribute to society, they also help you try on career options.