AIE — Adventures In Education

High School Students

Get ready for college, starting today.

How hard you work, what courses and exams you take, and what you do outside your classes can make a difference in your life for years to come.

The earlier you plan for your future, the better.

Here are some tips:

Do your homework. Know what courses you need to complete to graduate from high school and get accepted to your college of choice. Many programs and universities admit only students with more than the minimum needed for high school graduation. For instance, you might need extra math, English, or foreign language study.
Participate in extra-curricular activities. Consider courses that require time outside the classroom (like debate, band, and drama). Join clubs. Get involved in your community.
Grades do matter. But, the difficulty of the courses you take can also help a college or university decide whether to admit you. Colleges might prefer students with average grades in tougher courses than students who opt for "an easy A."
Be aware of your class ranking. More and more colleges and universities are considering class rank when admitting students. Some universities automatically admit students who graduate in the top 10 percent of their class.
Take necessary exams. Find out what standardized tests, if any, you really need to take. If there's a good reason to take or retake an exam, go ahead.
Take college credit courses. Some high school classes are designed to offer credit for college courses based on how well you do on a test at the end of the course. Advanced Placement courses are a good example. If you do well, you can save time and money while learning. Talk to your high school counselor about whether you have that option.

Recommended Courses — Learn more about the courses you should take in high school to prepare you for college
To Test Or Not To Test — Learn more about standardized tests.
The College Board's AP Web page — Learn more about Advanced Placement Exams.

What do you think?