College Prep 101 - 8th Grade

8TH GRADE

All 8th grade planning steps are shown. College Planning steps are highlighted.

Counselors, teachers, parents and friends are all good sources of information. Ask them any questions you have about college, in addition to doing research on your own.
Study hard! Make sure you use good study habits and keep your grades up.	Successful Study Techniques
Start saving for college. You might want to consider signing up for a college savings account.	College Savings Calculator
Start thinking about the courses you'll take in 9th grade and select a Peach State Pathway program of study.	Your Plan of Study
Explore career interests, then link to post-high school options including technical college, military, apprenticeship, and two-year and four-year colleges.
Be aware of transitional programs planned at the local high school and middle school to help you navigate from middle school to high school. This is a critical step and you will need information to make good decisions.
Find out about academic enrichment programs, including summer and weekend programs, available through your school or local colleges.
Don't forget about extracurricular activities like sports, performing arts, volunteer work or other activities that interest you.
Investigate Advanced Placement (AP) and other honors-level courses you can take in high school to help you prepare for college or earn college credit. Explore post-secondary credit opportunities including college, technical schools, special purpose schools, apprenticeships, and the military related to your selected career interest.
Check your CRCT scores to evaluate your skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning. It's good practice.	Getting Ready for College

College Prep 101 - 9th Grade

9TH GRADE

All 9th grade planning steps are shown. College Planning steps are highlighted.

Now that you're in 9th grade, it's time to evaluate your career plans.By starting early, you'll be better prepared.	Revisit the Interest Profiler
Don't neglect your study habits! Keep up the good work, and continue to improve your study skills.	Successful Study Techniques
Continue to explore post-secondary credit opportunities including college, technical schools, special purpose schools, apprenticeships, and the military related to your selected career interest.
If you don't have one, sign up for a college savings account. If you have an existing account, be sure to add to your savings regularly.	College Savings Calculator
Talk to your guidance counselors, advisor, teachers, family members or trusted adults about your plans for college. If you're not sure if college is the best option for you, talk to your counselor.
Use Your Plan of Study to keep track of your courses and grades. Invite your counselor or advisor to view your POS.	Revisit Your Plan of Study
Find out about college entrance requirements for the schools you're interested in. Explore all your options.	College Matching Assistant
Create a file of the following documents and notes: report cards, lists of awards and honors, school and community activities, and volunteer work.
Start thinking about the colleges you want to attend. (Hint: Use our Explore Schools section to help look for schools.)	Explore Schools
Find out about AP and other honors-level courses you can take in high school to help you prepare for college or earn college credit. Explore post-secondary credit opportunities including college, technical schools, special purpose schools, apprenticeships, and the military related to your selected career interest.
Continue to get involved in campus and community activities.
Take the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test (PSAT), if offered in your school, to evaluate your skills in English, math, reading and science reasoning. It's good practice and your scores won't count towards your college application.	Getting Ready for College
How are you spending your summer? Volunteering and educational programs can help give you a better idea about what kind of training or career would be right for you.	Explore Schools
Consider a youth apprenticeship, internship or other work-based learning programs.
Change can be difficult — you're on your own! Try taking some small steps towards independence this year, perhaps with more responsibility around your house.

College Prep 101 - 10th Grade

10TH GRADE

All 10th grade planning steps are shown. College Planning steps are highlighted.

Keep those grades up! You might have a lot going on this year, but it's important to stay focused on your schoolwork. Calculate your GPA and see if you need to brush up on any subjects.	Successful Study Techniques
Sign up for a college savings account or continue to add money to an existing account. Talk to your parents about financial aid options. It's a good idea to start talking about how you're going to pay for college.	College Savings CalculatorFind Scholarships
Continue your conversations with your guidance counselors, teachers, family members or trusted adults about your plans to meet your education and career plans.
Find out about AP and other honors-level courses for junior year.These can help you prepare for college or earn college credit. Explore post-secondary credit opportunities including college, technical schools, special purpose schools, apprenticeships, and the military related to your selected career interest.
Update your college planning file — or start one, if you haven't already.
Continue extracurricular activities. Remember, many admissions officers look for well-rounded students who participate in the world around them.	Your Portfolio - High School Planning
If you have room in your schedule, consider a part-time job or volunteer position.
Look into participating in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops and camps with specialty focuses such as music, arts and sciences.
Check into work-based learning experiences such as career-related field trips, job shadowing, entrepreneurial ventures, internships, cooperative education and youth apprenticeships.
Take the PSAT in October. The scores will not count for National Merit Scholar consideration this year, but it is good practice for taking the PSAT in your junior year (when the scores will count).	Getting Ready for College Glossary
It's not too early to start studying for standardized tests like the ACT and SAT. A great place to start is with the Test Prep section.	Test Prep
Investigate your options for participating in post-secondary credit course enrollment next year. This allows juniors and seniors to enroll in college courses if they meet certain requirements. Examples include the Accel program, dual enrollment and articulated credit.	Accel Program
Make a list of reasons why you like different post-secondary institutions - programs, location, cost and so on. Visit college campuses and "tour" colleges in the Explore Schools section.	Explore SchoolsCollege Matching Assistant
Start thinking about what factors are important to you in choosing a college: size, location, availability of extracurricular activities, for example.	College Matching Assistant
Meet with your school counselor and talk with your parents and teachers to discuss future post-secondary plans: explore all your opportunities.
Keep reading! Expanding your vocabulary and learning new things will help with many things over the next few years.