Preparing for College
There is a lot you can do in high school to prepare for college. Set goals for yourself and use the following checklist to help you stay on track.
Freshman Year (9th Grade)
English literature
Algebra/geometry
Biology
World history
Geography
Foreign language
Government
Civics
Economics
Art
- Follow the recommended core curriculum for Missouri high school students.
- Get to know your guidance counselor, and become familiar with college resources available at your school. Ask about building Advanced Placement (AP) or dual credit courses into your future class schedules.
- Talk to your guidance counselor regarding aptitude tests or skills assessment.
- Talk to adults in a variety of professions to determine what they like and dislike about their jobs and what kind of education is needed for the job.
- Explore different career opportunities.
- Start thinking about your plans after high school such as military, college, or employment.
- Ask your parents how much they think they can assist you with paying for college. Seek other resources for paying for college.
- Look for a summer job or volunteer position that is related to your career interest.
- Get to know National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requirements if you are thinking of playing sports during college.
Sophomore Year (10th Grade)
English composition
Trigonometry
Pre-calculus
Chemistry
American history
Geography
Foreign language
Government
Civics
Economics
Art
- Become involved in school- or community-based extracurricular activities that interest you and/or enable you to explore your career interests.
- Meet with your career/guidance counselor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
- Develop a high school curriculum plan that includes college prep courses and any potential Advanced Placement credit opportunities.
- Begin looking through college catalogs and research financial aid information.
- Take the ACT.
- Take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT). If you have difficulty paying the registration fee, see your career/guidance counselor about a possible fee waiver.
- Visit colleges and talk to students. Summer vacation is a great time to visit college campuses.
- Get a summer job or internship to save money for college.
Junior Year (11th Grade)
English composition II
Calculus
Physics
European history
Geography
Foreign language
Government
Civics
Economics
Art
- Meet with your career/guidance counselor about dual credit for college.
- Meet with your career/guidance counselor to discuss colleges and their requirements.
- Decide which colleges most interest you. Request information and an admissions application from each school. Be sure to ask about special admissions requirements, financial aid, and deadlines.
- Talk to college representatives at college fairs.
- Visit college campuses and talk to students.
- Consider people to ask for recommendations - teachers, counselors, employers, etc.
- Investigate the availability of financial aid from federal, state, local, and private sources. Call the Student Aid Hotline at the U.S. Department of Education [(800)-4FED-AID] for a student guide to federal financial aid. Talk to your career/guidance counselor for more information.
- If you are interested in military service, begin talking to recruiters.
- To find out more about the AmeriCorps, call (800) 942-2677.
- Investigate the availability of scholarships provided by organizations such as corporations, labor unions, professional associations, religious organizations, community groups, and credit unions.
- If applicable, look for directories of scholarships for women, minorities, and disabled students.
- Register for and take the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT ), the ACT, or any other exams required for admission to college and, in some instances, for eligibility for scholarships and other student financial aid programs. If you have difficulty paying the registration fee, see your career/guidance counselor about a possible fee waiver for the tests.
- Get a summer job or internship and save the money earned for college.
Senior Year (12th Grade)
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