Everything you should be doing right now — academics, activities, planning, and finances — organized by your current year in high school.
Building Your Foundation
Take a college preparatory curriculum with plenty of writing classes
ACT recommends: 4 years English, 3 years math (Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II), 3 years science, 3 years social studies
Study one or more foreign languages — many colleges require language credits
Earn excellent grades to build your GPA and class rank from the start
Join a school club, sports team, or run for student government
Start building extracurricular background for well-roundedness
Begin community service — always looks good to admissions and financial aid
If planning college sports, research NCAA requirements early
Get to know your school counselor — review your schedule and discuss college plans
Start thinking about careers that interest you
Sign up for job-shadowing programs
Take the ASVAB aptitude test (free) to understand your skills
Determine what you want from your college experience (state school, private, religious, etc.)
Begin assembling a list of colleges that match your criteria
Start saving money for college from allowance, gifts, and odd jobs
Learn about college admissions and financial aid processes
Attend financial-aid night if your school offers one
Show your parents you're serious about helping fund your education
Read extensively to increase vocabulary for SAT/ACT
Visit ALA's recommended reading lists for your grade level