College Information for Freshmen

THE ROAD TO COLLEGE - 9TH GRADE                                                                                                                                              

CONCENTRATE ON ACADEMICS 

Work towards your PERSONAL BEST. Remember colleges accept courses with grades of "C" or better. Earning grades of "D" means repeating classes in summer school. Colleges review all grades, including freshman year.

Familiarize yourself with the DLS Course Catalog found on the DLS website. If honors or AP courses are right for you, check the prerequisites and requirements in the catalog and consider taking them. Many colleges review the rigor of students' course selections, and we recommend students challenge themselves to the best of their ability.  For some, it means taking honors courses. For some, it means continuing to take a foreign language, even if it’s challenging, or taking an academic course instead of an extra P.E. class or I.W.E. Also be sure that you consider the need to have balance in your life; that you challenge yourself realistically, in your academic areas of strength, and that you leave room for free time and fun, too.

IMPROVE YOUR READING SKILLS

Reading develops a strong vocabulary and gets your reading muscles in shape for the SAT and ACT exams. Set up personal goals to increase your speed and comprehension. Read books for enjoyment.

MAKE A FOUR-YEAR PLAN

Colleges base their admissions decisions heavily on your course selection and academic performance. Your counselor can help you plan your high school program. Check out the college information and sample four-year plan in the DLS Course Catalog.

GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOL & YOUR COMMUNITY

Check out student government, class activities, student clubs, fine arts productions, athletics, or community service. Students who are involved do better in school and are happier too!  Also, consider activities and jobs outside of school.  Do what you enjoy and what has meaning for you and stick with it throughout high school. It is not the number of activities but the years of commitment that will make a positive impression.  

VISIT COLLEGE CAMPUSES WHEN TRAVELING

You’ll get a feel for what you like and don’t like and be better prepared when looking at colleges during your junior and senior years. If you cannot visit in person, most colleges offer virtual events & tours. It takes time to decide—the more information you have, the better.

For more college planning information visit:  https://bigfuture.collegeboard.org/