🏫←🐅 Freshmen-9th
Quick Links: 🏫4-YR University Bound 🏫2-YR Community & Technical College Bound 🏫College Matters 🏫 Seniors-12th 🏫 Juniors-11th 🏫 Sophomores-10th 🏫Freshmen-9th
9th GRADE "College" CHECKLIST
The term "college" includes: 4-year colleges or universities colleges, 2-year community colleges, and vocational or trade schools. There is not one type of college that is perfect for everyone, so it is important to explore your options.The classes you take in high school will prepare you for your post-high school plans. Whether you choose to pursue an apprenticeship or a technical, 2-year, 4-year university, or military academy, you will want to learn their admission requirements. Every school year, stay connected with the college career teacher and talk to your school counselor about registering for courses to build your skills and explore your interests to prepare you for life after high school.
🎓 B-EHS Diploma: What Do I need To Graduate from B-EHS High School?
✔️ Earn required credits – Students at Burlington-Edison High School must complete 30 credits to graduate from high school. Every class you take in high school counts towards graduation.
Click here to view the Graduation Requirements
Click here to view the 30 Credit Graduation Worksheet with Pathways
Planning to attend a 4-year university, 2-year college, or technical college? Click here to view the Graduation Credit Requirements-High School and Beyond
✔️ Meet standard on state assessments – You must take and pass state assessments in English language arts, math, and science or take and meet the standard through one of a variety of state-approved alternatives. Click here to learn more about Graduation Pathways and Assessments
✔️ Complete your High School and Beyond Plan – Starting in 7th or 8th grade you will create a plan to help you think about your future and choose classes that prepare you for your goals after high school. Click here to view the High School & Beyond Course Planning Guide 4-Year Course Planning Guide.
🌟 TIPS:
Cumulative Grade Point Average (GPA) Matters- The higher your GPA, the more college and scholarship options you will have available.
Pay attention in class and keep track of your grades in Skyward
Use a planner to stay organized and write down assignments, due dates, and other responsibilities
Don’t be afraid to ask for help. Be an advocate for yourself and ask for support from your counselors, teachers, family members, and mentors.
🌟 Things to Know:
The B-EHS graduation 30 credit requirements may not be the same as college admission requirements.
4-year colleges have the most selective requirements, and Technical and 2-year colleges have less selective requirements.
Make sure to look at the academic and class requirements for the colleges (2-year, 4-year, or technical) you are interested in attending.
🏫 What Are Colleges Looking For?
The classes you take in high school prepare you for your post-high school plans. Whether you choose to pursue an apprenticeship or a technical, 2-year, 4-year college, or military academy, you will want to learn their admission requirements.
A challenging class schedule, including courses where you can earn college credit. Examples include Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Cambridge International, College in the High School, Running Start, or CTE Dual Credit that can lead to a career credential or associate’s degree.
✔️Take College-Prep Courses: 👆Click HERE to view B-EHS WAYS TO EARN COLLEGE CREDIT WHILE IN HIGH SCHOOL!
Challenge yourself with difficult coursework and do well in these courses. Take courses in high school such as Honors, AP (Advanced Placement; College Level Curricula), HS/College Dual Enrollment (Running Start), focusing on the core academics: English, Math, Science, History, World Languages. Rigorous courses that go beyond the minimum graduation requirements will make you a more impressive applicant and can even earn you college credit while in high school!
Your high school transcript is one of the most important parts of your college application, and good grades will distinguish you from many other applicants. Review your grades/transcript and progress toward identified goals every year. Revise your course choices and educational or career goals as your interests change.
Get to know your guidance counselor early in your high school career to talk about your plans for high school classes, college, and career.
Explore several extracurricular activities Freshman year is a great time to try several different extracurricular activities to see which ones are most interesting to you.
Decide on a small number of extracurriculars that you like, dedicating more time to fewer activities in order to become deeply involved.
Find a summer volunteer opportunity/ job/ internship.
Summer is a great time to earn extra money for college while exploring different career fields.
✔️Standardized Tests (11th & 12th)
Take the PSAT: Take the PSAT as a junior to practice for the SAT and qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Program.
Prepare for the SAT and / or ACT
Begin preparing for the SAT and / or ACT at the start of Junior year, with plans to take each test twice.
Take the SAT and / or ACT
Take the SAT / ACT for the first time winter of Junior Year. Plan to retake the test in the spring of junior year or fall of senior year. If you are worried about the cost of the test, ask your guidance counselor for a fee waiver!
Take SAT Subjects Tests: SAT Subject test, which are required for some colleges, are best taken in December or May-immediately after taking the relevant class and while the material is still fresh.
Take AP Exams: AP Exams, which provide an opportunity to earn college credit, are offered each year in May.
📚 PICKING THE RIGHT HIGH SCHOOL CLASSES IS IMPORTANT!
💭What Classes Should I Take?
MATH IS IMPORTANT! Math is a subject that builds on itself over the years, becoming increasingly complex as you increase your skills. Most colleges want students to have at least 3 years of high school math, though more selective colleges prefer 4 years. Prioritize taking several of the following courses:
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Trigonometry
Pre-calculus & Calculus
Career-Related Math
🌟 Things to Know:
Begin with Algebra 1 and Geometry, often considered the building blocks of higher-level math and science classes. Wrap up with Calculus, the highest level of math offered by many high schools and often considered the gold standard of pre-college math preparation.
Most college programs, apprenticeships, and military options require you to take math. Taking more math in high school may mean taking less math in college and opening more post-high school options.
Taking four years of high school math will help you get ready for college and can help you save on tuition costs!
Given the substantial reading and writing requirements of higher education, virtually all colleges expect you to take 4 years of English.
History courses offer insight into the world around you, and they also improve your critical reading and writing abilities. College-bound students often take a minimum of 3 years of history courses, prioritizing the following:
US History
US Government
World History
Geography
Science teaches you how to analyze information and apply theories to the real world. Most colleges prefer that students take at least 3 years of laboratory science classes, while more selective colleges prefer 4 years. Some specific classes to prioritize:
Physical Science or Geology
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
In an increasingly globalized world, having some basic mastery in a language besides English is highly encouraged as part of your high school studies. Most colleges prefer that you take at least 2 full years of the same foreign language, though many students choose to take 3-4 years. It is not advisable to switch between multiple languages; instead, it’s best to choose a language of the focus your freshman year and study it deeply throughout high school.
Though not considered core academic courses, classes in the arts broaden your high school experience and give you the opportunity to build a skill set outside of typical academics. Many colleges recommend one or two semesters in the arts, though students who have a particular passion for a subject often choose to pursue it throughout their 4 years in high school.
Take electives that match your career and college interests including career and technical education programs of study.
🌟 Things to Know:
• Some colleges may have additional entrance or admission requirements such as taking the SAT or ACT.
• Consider taking academic classes for your elective requirements such as foreign language and/or multiple lab sciences.
🆙What is GEAR UP?
What is GEAR UP? The Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) initiative is one of the largest and most effective programs focused on increasing the college and career readiness of low-income students in communities nationwide. GEAR UP is a highly competitive grant program that helps empower local partnerships comprised of K-12 schools, institutions of higher education, state agencies, and community organizations to achieve three strategic goals:
(1) Increasing the postsecondary expectations and readiness of students
(2) Improving high school graduation and postsecondary enrollment rates
(3) Raising the knowledge of postsecondary options, preparation, and financing among students and families.
⭐College Bound: Are you a College Bound student?
What is College Bound Scholarship? Established by the Legislature in 2007, the College Bound Scholarship program provides financial assistance to low-income students who want to achieve the dream of a college education. This early promise of financial aid is intended to alleviate the financial barriers that prevent low-income students from considering higher education as a possibility.
The scholarship is available to 7th and 8th-grade students whose family income meets the guidelines, or who are in foster care. The deadline to sign up is June 30 of a student's 8th-grade year. The scholarship covers tuition (at comparable public colleges), some fees, and a small book allowance. Visit www.collegebound.wa.gov for more information and award amounts.
If you have questions about your College Bound application, please contact the program by email at collegebound@wsac.wa.gov or by phone at 888-535-0747.
Chapter 3 - The College Bound Scholarship
English | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese
The College Bound Scholarships: All About it
English | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese
The College Bound Scholarship: The Pledge
English | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese
The College Bound Scholarship: Accessing it
English | Russian | Somali | Spanish | Vietnamese
FREE TEST PREPARTAION TOOLS
ACCUPLACER: (For community and technical colleges) The ACCUPLACER web-based study app features practice tests in each test subject. It is accessible from most devices with internet access and will help students become familiar with the content and format of the ACCUPLACER test questions. accuplacer.collegeboard.org/student/practice
ACT: (For 4-year colleges) ACT Academy is a free, online learning tool designed to help students master the skills they need to succeed to improve their ACT scores and succeed in college and career. www.act.org/academy
ASVAB: (For the military) Learn more about the ASVAB and what the testing experience will be like. official-asvab.com/applicants.htm
SAT: (For 4-year colleges) Students have access to a free, personalized practice program for the SAT through an exclusive partnership between Khan Academy and the College Board. Teachers can view progress and practice on Official SAT Practice for both their classes and individual students, making it easier than ever for teachers to support students in preparing for the SAT. www.khanacademy.org/sat
Resources
ACT Profile: www.act.org/profile
The College Board’s Big Future: www.bigfuture.collegeboard.org
The College Board CSS Financial Aid PROFILE: student.collegeboard.org/css-financial-aidprofile
College Bound Scholarship: www.collegebound.wa.gov
Federal Student Aid: studentaid.ed.gov/sa/
Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): www.fafsa.gov
FSA ID: fsaid.ed.gov/
Passport to Careers Program: www.readysetgrad.org/college/passport-foster-youth-promiseprogram
Ready Set Grad: www.readysetgrad.org
The Washboard Scholarship Search: www.thewashboard.org
Washington Application for State Financial Aid (WASFA): www.readysetgrad.org/wasfa
Washington State GEAR UP: www.gearup.wa.gov/resources
college glossary.pdf