Colleges are looking for a solid foundation of learning that you can build upon. Keep in mind that even though they may not be required for high school graduation, most colleges prefer the following:

• 4 years of English

• 4 years of math (including Integrated algebra, geometry, and algebra 2/trigonometry)

• 3 years of social studies

• 3 years of laboratory science

• 2-3 years of the same foreign language 

• Courses in fine arts and computer science

Many states have diploma options available to students, such as the New York State Regents Diploma, and options frequently require additional high school coursework. Your counselor can help you make the right class choices.

Your high school grades are important and the difficulty of your courses may be a factor in a college’s decision to offer you admission. So, challenge yourself by taking tougher courses and maintaining good grades. Not only will this help prepare you for standardized tests (such as the PSAT, SAT and ACT), but it will also determine your eligibility for some colleges.

Show them that you are both serious about learning and a hard worker. When you begin applying to college in a couple of years, you will have people who know you well. Those who know you well will write the strongest recommendation letters.

Find something you like and stick to it! Colleges pay close attention to your life outside of the classroom and value these types of experiences.

It is not the quantity but the quality and longevity of involvement in activities or organizations that matter. For example, if, as a 9th grader, you join the school newspaper and are a club reporter and then in 10th grade become a sports reporter, in 11th, a sports editor and in 12th, the editor-in-chief, it demonstrates growth in leadership. In community service, the same applies. It is not a sign of commitment if you simply participate in a charity walk once a year for four years. Rather, you should find something in which you have an avid interest. Whether it is an animal shelter, a nursing home, or a soup kitchen, the idea is that you stay and put in significant time.

Keep busy by doing something meaningful such as finding a summer job, identifying a volunteer experience in a career field that interests you, learning or perfecting a skill or hobby, going to summer school to get ahead or catch up, attending a summer program or camp, or catching up on your reading.

Get a head start by creating your activities resume now. An activities resume is a great way to highlight your strengths and to inform colleges about your out-of-class accomplishments and special talents.

Additional ideas include the following:

• Find a community service project and commit significant hours.

• Attend a summer camp and hone your testing skills, athletic skills, or a hobby such as music.

• Find a summer college program where you can master subject areas of interest or leadership training.

Begin your practicing and then taking the PSAT. Be sure to consult your counselor about your readiness to do so. You can also prepare for the SAT or ACT college entrance exams - which you will take in the 11th and/or 12th grades - using Khan Academy or ACT Test Preparation | Test Prep Resources | ACT. 

Consider volunteering or job shadowing in a career that interests you. Ask people whose jobs looks or sound interesting to explain what they really do and how they go to where they are now. Here are a few questions to get you started:

• Describe your typical day.

• What did you study in college?

• What courses best prepared you for your career?

• What do you like most about your job?

• What advice do you have for someone interested in this career?

Find out more about the careers that interest you. What level of education is required? What is the average salary? What are the expected job prospects? The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics offers answers to these questions and provides information about occupational projections by state, as well as career exploration information.

• Do you wish to attend a large, medium, or small-sized college or university?

• Close to home or far away?

• Public or private?

• Two-year or four-year?

• How important is cost?

• How important are clubs, activities, and sports/

• Does your list include colleges and universities that offer your areas of academic interest?

Then, explore free college search programs, such as The College Board's Big Future  or Naviance

it's not too early to begin visiting college campuses. Check websites for information about campus tours and open house programs, as well as summer opportunities such as workshops and camps - these are often referred to as pre-college programs. Remember, a visit is not a commitment to attend a college but rather an opportunity to experience a campus first-hand.

A college education is an investment in your future. Do your research, learn about college costs, develop a fincial plan. Here are a few resources to get you started:

• Net Price Calculator

• College Board Big Future Scholarship Research Tool

• Fastweb Scholarships