9th & 10th Grade

☑ SET UP YOUR COLLEGE BOARD ACCOUNT

If you are taking AP classes or plan to take the PSAT and SAT, you must create an account with the College Board. This will help you access study materials and register for exams.

• Use an email address not affiliated with BISD so you don’t lose your account or score.

☑ GET INVOLVED

Extracurricular activities are an important and fun part of high school. Look for sports, groups, and clubs that match your interests, then join!

• Note that whether you apply to college via APPLY TEXAS or the COMMON APP, you will be asked to list the extracurricular activities you were involved in during high school.

☑ FOCUS ON GETTING GOOD GRADES

Your freshman and sophomore grades count toward college admission and scholarships. Create obtainable goals for yourself.

• Being in the top 10% of your graduating class can put you up for automatic admission to many Texas colleges, but it is not the only path to college.

• Consider starting dual credit in the 9th grade to get an associate's degree before you graduate if it interests you.

☑ THINK ABOUT FINANCIAL AID

Think about what your family can realistically afford. Talk with your parents about any college savings programs they may have set up for you, including any prepaid tuition and/or college savings accounts. Make sure your college savings plan is keeping up with the increase in college tuition. You can determine the estimated net costs of most colleges by searching: “*College Name* estimated cost calculator”

• If you don’t have a savings account, don't worry! There are tons of financial aid programs and scholarships available to help offset the cost of college.

  • It’s up to the student to research grants and scholarships they might qualify for on their own time.

Late Start: 

If you've just begun thinking about college, no worries!

The most important thing you can do now is meet with your counselor and determine which classes you should take.