Are you college-ready?

Regardless of whether you’re a sophomore, junior or senior in high school, you may think that postsecondary schooling is well down the road, and you’ll have plenty of time to think about it later. But there are several things you need to start doing right now to prove you’re the type of student for whom admission counselors are looking.

* Think about different jobs and careers that interest you. Consider your own interests, skills and talents. Talk to professionals who work in the field in which you are interested to get the inside scoop on what that career entails. This will give you a better idea as to whether this is what you would like to do.

* Start thinking about the type of school that you would like to attend. Compare colleges and universities across the nation in terms of total enrollment, campus setting, average class size, tuition and the percent of attending students who receive financial aid. You can also take virtual campus tours.

* Make sure you have taken all of the necessary courses in school. Just as there are certain requirements you must fulfill to graduate from high school, there are requirements for going on to higher education. Talk with your high school counselor and check informational brochures on schools you are interested in attending.

* If you can, take Advanced Placement (AP) courses. These courses take a more in-depth look at the subject and usually require more applied theory and preparation than a general-study course. However, if you accept the challenge, you may be able to skip college introductory courses in that subject. AP tests are offered to help students “test out” of some college classes. For example, if you take AP English while in high school and pass the test, you could take a course directly related to your major while other students are taking English 101 to fulfill the school’s core requirements.

* Study hard! You don’t have to be the smartest student in your school or even earn the highest GPA. But you do need to work hard and meet your own potential. You can show an admission counselor dedication and initiative by working hard to earn high marks and showing improvement. Don’t be discouraged, and keep working!

 * Get involved in extracurricular activities. Don’t overdo it and join several all at once, but select activities that interest you and allow you to exhibit your leadership skills. Consider sports teams, school clubs, community groups and church activities. Most admission counselors are looking for a well-rounded student; someone who can bring more than just “book smarts” to their school. Plus, it shows that you are responsible enough to handle the pressures of schooling while taking part in other activities.

* Take advantage of your school counselor’s experience. Your counselor can offer you school brochures, scholarship applications, admission applications, financial-aid applications, SAT dates and much more. Your school counselor will also be sending your high school transcripts to the schools to which you are applying, so it is important to form a good relationship early on. It’s important to get started right away to ensure your place at your first-choice postsecondary school!

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