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Getting Ready |
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The quality of the high school education you receive can depend on the choices you make. The courses you take, the effort you exert to keep your grades up, your class rank, the results of your standardized tests, and the life experiences you have all play a part in determining whether or not the college you want to attend will admit you.
Take control! The decisions you make about your high school studies can influence whether the college you choose will also want you. Courses and Grades For starters, find out what courses you need to take in high school to be admitted to the college you want to attend and to be prepared for the field you want to study. Even if they are not required for high school graduation, most colleges require at least three, and preferably four, years of studies in the following core courses:
In addition, most colleges require at least two years of the same foreign language. Computer science courses or courses that require students to use computers in research and project preparation are often essential for college performance. Participation in extra-curricular activities are also a good idea in high school. Courses that require study and time outside the classroom (like debate, band, communications, and drama) indicate a willingness to cooperate with others and to put in the effort needed to succeed. Your grades are important. But, the difficulty of your coursework can also be a significant admissions factor. In general, most colleges prefer students with average grades in tougher courses than students who opt for "an easy A." Class Rank College admissions counselors usually consider class rank, also. By doing so, colleges are looking at the grades you make in relation to your peers. Although the size of a graduating class can affect the significance of rank and debate over its meaning continues, some universities automatically admit students who graduate in the top ten percent of their class. Check with the school you want to attend to see if they have such a program. Standardized Tests In addition to course work, grades, and class rank, standardized test scores (such as the SAT and ACT) can be included among the criteria for admission to some colleges and universities. Many graduate and professional programs also have testing requirements for admission. Life Experiences and Skills People considering college for the first time after being in the workforce for a while can often use their work and life experiences toward gaining college admission. Some colleges consider such experiences to be more important than your high school transcript from many years ago or your entrance exam scores. Check with the college you're interested in attending about the application process for "nontraditional" students to see if admission requirements differ. College Credit before You Start Often high school students are eligible to receive college credit while they are still enrolled in high school. Advanced Placement and Tech-Prep courses offer students who prepare early and take more difficult courses during their junior high and high school years the chance to gain college credit and save on tuition. Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available in over 20 subjects. Students scoring high enough on AP exams can receive college credit and save time and money by taking fewer college courses. Ask your high school counselor if AP courses are available in your school. Tech-Prep courses in high school can prepare students planning on pursuing a technical program in a community, technical, or junior college. Talk to a counselor at the college you plan to attend to find out the best courses to take. Ask about school-to-work activities and study programs available in your area. Some schools even offer opportunities to gain experience at an area work site. College admissions exams can affect not only your admissions to college but sometimes your acceptance into certain courses. Your test scores on particular portions of an entrance exam may determine whether you can schedule basic level college courses, must schedule remedial courses (courses which do not provide college credit and are designed to bring a student's skills up to basic course standards), or might be given credit for basic level courses. Although admissions exams cannot keep you from attending college, your scores can sometimes determine how and where your studies begin. | |
If possible, begin planning in middle school. Preparation before high school
can make a world of difference. For instance, some school districts allow
students to schedule Algebra I during eighth grade. Taking advantage of such
options can allow students to schedule higher level mathematics courses or
advanced placement studies during their junior and senior years in high school
or to participate in courses specifically geared to an interest. Some high
school graduates have college credits before they ever start college.
