If there’s a teenager or soon-to-be teenager in your home, you’ve probably started thinking—and worrying—about how to get him or her ready for college. Getting accepted to some colleges can be quite competitive, so high school students should take every opportunity to make themselves stand out from the crowd. Starting in their freshman year, their efforts should focus on academics, with a healthy dose of extracurricular pursuits and college and career planning.
The high school years can be a busy time, and it’s easy to lose track of the many steps involved in the college search and application process. To help you and your student stay on track, we’ve compiled a list of what your college-bound teen should be doing each year.
The high school years can be a busy time, and it’s easy to lose track of the many steps involved in the college search and application process. To help you and your student stay on track, we’ve compiled a list of what your college-bound teen should be doing each year.
Freshmen should plan to:
- Take challenging classes in core academic courses.
- Work with their school counselor to create a yearly schedule for meeting graduation requirements.
- Talk to an advisor or school counselor about taking honors courses and college classes.
- Get involved with community-based and leadership-oriented activities.
- Explore and identify career fields of interest through online research and by attending career fairs and other events.
- Explore The Four Steps to College.
- Keep a running list of accomplishments, awards, and recognitions to use in preparing a resume and college applications.
Sophomores should:
- Attend college and career information events.
- Research funding for college, including scholarships, grants, loans, etc.
- Reach out to mentors in the fields of interest.
- Continue exploring college and career options. Remember to look at the requirements of North Carolina's University system and make sure that the courses you are taking are aligned with what is required for admission.
- Continue involvement with community-based and leadership-oriented activities.
- Keep a running list of accomplishments, awards, and recognitions to use in preparing a resume and college applications.
In fall semester, juniors need to:
- Attend in-person or online college fairs and college-prep presentations.
- Explore careers and their earning potentials in the Occupational Outlook Handbook.
- Register for college admission exams such as the SAT and ACT; take practice tests to prepare before the big day.
- Research ways to pay for college.
- Identify scholarship opportunities to pursue; note deadlines on calendar.
- Contact colleges to request information and applications.
During the summer, soon-to-be seniors should:
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During the winter months, seniors should:
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Although the temptation to goof off during the last year of high school may be strong, students should be made aware that college admissions officers will expect to see that they have worked hard to keep grades up and continued their involvement in school and community activities. Reassure your aspiring college student that he or she can still enjoy life and time with friends while remaining focused on larger goals.
College Planning Information for ALL High School Students
Student financial aid and online college applications for NC schools are available at the College Foundation of NC website http://www.cfnc.org
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There are numerous online resources to help students focus on career pathways. These resources are also available for parents.
www.careerbuilder.org
www.careerhop.com
www.cfnc.org
www.ed.gov
www.encjobs.com
www.hotjobs.com
www.monster.com
www.ncpublicschools.org
www.ncwiseowl.org
Student financial aid and online college applications for NC schools are available at the College Foundation of NC website http://www.cfnc.org
Overgrad | College Admissions Guidance & Planning Tools
ZeeMee: Helping Students Get Seen
There are numerous online resources to help students focus on career pathways. These resources are also available for parents.
www.careerbuilder.org
www.careerhop.com
www.cfnc.org
www.ed.gov
www.encjobs.com
www.hotjobs.com
www.monster.com
www.ncpublicschools.org
www.ncwiseowl.org