Preparing for College
There are several factors colleges consider when deciding
whether or not they will accept a student. Some of these factors
include:
- Course rigor (the difficulty of the courses taken while in high
school)
- Grade point average (GPA)
- Class rank
- Standardized test scores (ACT and SAT)
- Extracurricular activities
- Application essay (if required)
Remember that colleges consider all of these factors as
a whole instead of individually. This means that you
should not take easier classes just to get higher grades. Those
easier classes may not be the ones you need to get into college.
Take AP and honors courses, if available, so that you are
challenging yourself, but remember your grades are
still important. Talk with your school counselor to determine what
courses you should take to meet graduation requirements and
college-entrance requirements. Also, get involved!
Volunteer for a community service project or join one of your
school's athletic teams.
To start planning your academic career, visit College Planning
and fill out your own student planner.