College Admissions Tips for Freshmen and Sophomores

The biggest mistake high school students make in regards to the college admissions process, is wait until their junior and senior year to get serious. The college admissions process is just that - a process - and one that should begin from the minute you step foot into high school as a freshman. Each year of high school, you should make a conscious effort to accomplish goals towards your college plan. Don't let senior year sneak up on you. Prepare today! And here's how...

1. Get involved in your school and community.
Aside from being a good student, colleges want to see how you've contributed to your community and your school. When admissions officers read applications, they are looking for active and engaging students who will breath life into their university  and not just go to class everyday and ace exams. Participating in school clubs and afterschool sports show that you can make a meaningful contribution to something outside of academics. It also shows you can manage your time and priorities wisely, which is key to surviving in college. Freshman and sophomore year is the time to join clubs, try out for sports teams, do community service, and explore your passions. Find the activities that you love, stick with them, and you'll attain leadership positions by your junior and senior year.

2. Plan on taking 4 years of a foreign language.
American society is becoming increasingly globalized, so proficiency in a second language is an advantageous skill and carries a lot of weight with admissions officers. Many colleges recommend "at least two years" of a language, which is definitely signaling that study beyond two years would strengthen your application. The nation's top, most competitive colleges virtually expect to see 4 years of study. So find a foreign language you love and plan to stick with it.

3. Take the PSAT.
The PSAT is offered every October and provides firsthand practice for the SAT. You will become familiar with the kinds of questions you will see on the SAT, as well as receive feedback on your strengths and weaknesses on the exam and learn which areas could most benefit from additional study or practice. PSAT scores also give you an idea of what kind of SAT scores you might receive. Your PSAT scores may even qualify you for prestigious scholarships, including the National Merit Scholarship. Furthermore, there are only benefits to taking the exam, so see your guidance counselor for more information on getting signed up.

4. Meet with your Guidance Counselor.
Your Guidance Counselor is the middleman between you and the college admissions process. He or she is a valuable resource with information about scholarships, financial aid, putting together a college list, and giving you advice about college admissions. Your relationship with your Guidance Counselor is an important one because the better they know you, the more willing and able they will be to help you when it comes time to apply for college. During your freshman and sophomore year, take the initiative and go and meet with your Guidance Counselor. Introduce yourself, discuss your courseload and high school plans, and attain information about summer programs and scholarships. Do not wait until your senior year to try and build this relationship.

5. Apply for scholarships.
Scholarships = FREE MONEY for college! With the rising costs of a college education, figuring out how to fund your education is a feat that takes years of planning. Freshman and sophomore year is the perfect time to start gathering money for college. There are scholarships out there for everyone - for lefties, for tall people, for adopted children! There are merit-based scholarships, artistic achievement scholarships, need-based scholarships. There are national scholarships awarding full-rides to college (See: Gates Millennium Scholarship) and local scholarships offering $500 checks that can help pay for a semester's worth of books. There are millions of dollars out there waiting to be had, but you must go out and get it. Sign up for a website like www.Scholarships.com and receive scholarship alerts straight to your email. Spend free time every other weekend applying for scholarships and you'll thank yourself later.

6. Go away on a summer program.
Many universities host summer programs for high school students where you get to live on their campus, take their classes, and earn college credit. These summer programs are perfect practice for seeing how you'll handle being away from home and handle college coursework. The best bonus is you'll get to explore subjects - other than the usual math, science, English, and history - that are not available at your high school. You'll make friends from all over the world, you'll be able to explore campus activities and get a genuine taste of college life. Many of these programs offer scholarships and financial aid, so see your Guidance Counselors for more information.

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