College

Whether the decision has already been made or is still years away, there are actions you can take from 8th grade through 12th grade to make sure you’ll be ready for college.

8th grade, keep your options open by taking the right courses.

  • Start thinking about colleges and appealing careers.

  • Join clubs, activities and sports to develop your interests.

  • Work hard and study to get good grades and take more challenging courses in high school.

9th grade, here is your chance to put your plans into action.

  • Know the courses and credits you’ll need to graduate high school and get into college. In Delaware, beginning with the graduating class of 2011, you’ll need:

    Four years of English

    Four years of Math

    Three years of Science

    Three years of Social Studies

    Three years of Career Pathway

  • Stay active in clubs/activities/sports that you enjoy.

  • Study, study, study. Colleges look at your permanent academic record for admissions — beginning with freshman-year grades.

  • Think about an after school or summer job to start saving for college.

  • Talk to your guidance counselor about possible colleges and courses you should be taking.

10th grade, keep up your schoolwork and consider your options.

  • Keep up with classes and grades. Challenge yourself with honors classes.

  • Prepare & plan for Advanced Placement classes as a junior.

  • Continue extracurricular activities.

  • Participate in academic enrichment programs, summer workshops or apprenticeship programs in fields and specialties you enjoy, such as science, arts or music.

  • Continue to communicate with your guidance counselor about colleges and courses you should be taking.

  • Take the PSAT or ACT PLAN tests to practice for the SAT and ACT tests.

  • Save for college earning money at an after school or summer job.

11th grade, an important year for grades and future plans.

  • Maintain good grades and work to your potential. Your junior year is probably the most important.

  • Take honors and AP classes.

  • Register, study and take the PSAT, SAT Reasoning, SAT Subject and/or ACT, and any AP or honors-level exams.

  • Make a list of colleges and universities you are interested in attending. Check admissions criteria.

  • Visit your top-pick schools; get a feel for the campus to help you narrow your choices.

  • During the summer between your junior and senior year, write practice applications and essays and decide where and if to apply early decision, early action or regular decision.

  • Assume leadership roles in your activities/sports.

  • Keep saving money you earn at after-school or summer jobs.

12th grade, make this year count and know application deadlines.

  • Fall semester: Review your transcript, retake any standardized tests and send applications to top-pick colleges.

  • Allow enough time before deadlines to fill out applications, write personal essays and get teacher recommendations. Have test scores sent to the right colleges.

  • Complete & submit your college financial-aid application and the Free Application for Student Aid (FAFSA) between Jan. 1 and March 1.

  • Search the Web and private groups for scholarship opportunities and apply.

  • When you hear back from every college to which you applied, compare the schools, financial-aid packages and scholarship offers.

  • Make your decision and send that college a deposit.

  • Make sure your high school sends your chosen college a final transcript.

In-depth timelines, student planners and financial-aid information are available from the U.S. Department of Education at studentaid.ed.gov