College Readiness

1. Keep track of your high school credits to be sure you will meet all local and state requirements by the end of your senior year.

2. Consider taking Advanced Placement or dual enrollment courses to earn college credit while still in high school.

3. Begin keeping a list of the awards and honors you receive (handy for scholarship applications) as well as extracurricular activities.

4. During your sophomore year, begin researching the universities or colleges you are interested in attending. Check what prerequisites are required for admittance and any time lines required for applications.

5. Explore your interests and take advantage of Career Day opportunities.

6. If you are not sure what college or university you are interested in, attend the college nights hosted by your high school. While you have the opportunity, be sure to talk with school representatives about what types of financial aid may be available.

7. If possible, take the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test (PSAT/NMSQT) in your sophomore year for practice, but in your junior year, take the PSAT for eligibility for the National Merit Scholarship Competition. Students who take the PSAT tend to score higher on the SAT than those who do not.

8. The PSAT is offered to sophomores and juniors in October. In December or January the students will receive a score report, which will provide an access code that will give them access to a personalized study guide for the SAT. The website is Collegeboard.com. Other resources available on this site are My College Quickstart and My Road.

9. Check with your counselor office to learn about available scholarships. Be sure to begin applying early and for as many scholarships as possible. Do not limit yourself just to local scholarships.

10. Sign up and take the ACT and SAT tests, preferably in your junior year, but no later than the fall of your senior year.

11. Keep track of any volunteer service you do, and collect letters of verification from volunteer coordinators with whom you work.

12. Reach out to 3-5 adults (at least two need to be teachers) who would be willing to write you letters of recommendation. These may or may not be needed for college admissions, and are often required for scholarships.

Advancement Via Individual Determination is designed to supports students who may be the first in their family to graduate from college, and is open to any student, regardless of status. AVID is a course in which students develop strong study skills and engages enrolled high school students with college students from major universities as partners and tutors., AVID tutors support students interested in stepping into PRe AP, AP, and other Dual Credit academic courses that prepare students for college success. AVID is a course that provides students the academic support they need to prepare for the SAT, the ACT, and the writing skills involved in the college admissions process. Apply for AVID now! See an AVID representative (counselors & AVID teachers) for an application.