Freshman Year
Your first year of high school is an exciting time! If you want to set yourself up to get ahead of the game, follow these tips bellow
Tip: Once your GPA is high from the start, it is easier to work with. If your GPA falls low it is hard to bring it back up!
Thinking About AP Classes?
Taking Advanced Placement (AP) Classes are great for boosting your GPA and earn college credit in high school! Talk to your college counselor to see if your school offers AP courses, if not do not worry! When they apply to college they know that not every school has AP courses, so they will look to see how much you challenged yourself. Take honors courses instead.
Consider Taking Dual Enrollment
Dual Enrollment is taking college classes at a local community college or university for college credit. This is also a great way to get a head start and experience college-level difficulty. Make sure that the classes you are taking, the credits will transfer to the colleges you are interested in. To figure this out, email or call the admissions office at that school to find out more information.
Choosing Your Major
Before choosing your dream college, you have to make sure they offer the major you are most interested in. When choosing your major try to think of something you are passionate about and see if you can turn that into a career. To find out more information about different types of careers, salary, and job description you can visit Payscale.com. Are you interested in STEM? Click here
Go to College for the Summer
Don't want to sit around all summer? Why not spend the summer at college? It doesn't have to be your local college it can be anywhere your parents are willing to take you. By going to college summer programs it exposes you to college life, getting a feel for the campus, and also help figure out what major you may want to get your degree in. There are endless opportunities when it comes to spending the summer at college.
To find a summer program at a college near you, click here!
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Tip: When you attend summer programs at the specific college you are applying to this can make your application stand out more, by showing your interest in the school at a young age.
Pick a Language to Learn
Most Schools offer languages like Spanish, French, and even Japanese. Colleges usually have a two-year language requirement, so it's wise to pick a language and get it knocked out the way early so you aren't stuck senior year trying to taking Spanish1.
Start or Join a Club or Organization at your school
Starting your own club at school or joining one you are highly invested in shows the people reading your application that you have leadership skills and dedication to the cause of your organization. It is also a great talking point in your college application essay. If there is an organization that you see yourself being in a high leadership position within the board, then join as a freshman and work your way up!
Start Off With a High GPA
One super important thing to keep in mind is your GPA throughout your time in high school. If you try your best to make your GPA as high as possible in your first year then you will be in good standing once classes get a bit harder as you progress to senior year. This is something colleges will look at when you apply to college. For more information on how GPA's work and how it affects you click here.
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