College Information for Sophomores

THE ROAD TO COLLEGE - 10TH GRADE

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.  The rumor that sophomore grades don’t count is FALSE!

FOUR-YEAR ACADEMIC PREPARATION

Most four-year colleges require students to take core college preparatory coursework often including:

4 years of English, 3-4 years of Math, 3 years of Science, 2-3 years of the same language other than English, 3 years of social studies, and 1 year of Visual/Performing Art.

Familiarize yourself with the DLS Course Catalog found online 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.

GET INVOLVED IN SCHOOL ACTIVITIES

Check out student government, class activities, student clubs, performing arts productions, athletics, or community service.  Students who are involved do better in school and are happier too! Also, consider activities outside of school. Do what you enjoy & what has meaning for you.  More important than college admissions, these activities help you figure out what you like & what you don’t & that knowledge helps you develop as a person.

VISIT COLLEGE CAMPUSES WHEN TRAVELING/ON VACATION

You’ll get a feel for what you like and don’t like in a learning and living environment & will be better prepared when really looking at colleges in junior and senior year.  It takes time to decide—the more information you have, the better.

GET TO KNOW THE COLLEGE COUNSELORS

Our offices are next to the school counselors' offices. Students can drop by with questions.  During the Spring Semester, there will be a class workshop with the College Counselors, and you will be introduced to SCOIR, an online college planning program, and complete a personality assessment/career interest survey.

CONSIDER A PRE-COLLEGE PROGRAM THIS SUMMER

There are lots of opportunities to be involved in programs on college campuses or elsewhere this summer—ranging from 1 week to several—check out opportunities shared during the sophomore class workshop. Also, consider volunteering or staying active in your extracurricular activities.

SAT OR ACT TESTS

This year you’ll take the Pre-ACT test (practice ACT test) in October. In junior year, you’ll take the PSAT. Plan to take your first SAT and ACT tests in the spring of the junior year. There’s nothing to be gained by taking the tests too early; you’ll be better prepared to do well on them in the spring of junior year and still have time to repeat them in the fall of senior year. Prepare now by doing well in your coursework and building strong reading skills. Read for enjoyment throughout the year.

SOPHOMORES: STOP BY AND SEE US IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS - YOU DON’T HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL JUNIOR YEAR.