{"id":1545,"date":"2017-12-11T17:45:15","date_gmt":"2017-12-11T17:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.petersons.com\/blog\/uncategorized\/10th-grade-college-planning-timeline\/"},"modified":"2019-04-12T14:00:47","modified_gmt":"2019-04-12T20:00:47","slug":"10th-grade-college-planning-timeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.petersons.com\/blog\/10th-grade-college-planning-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"10th Grade: College Planning Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"

For this year, you\u2019ll want to stay on track with your high school classes and activities and begin to narrow down the plan for your future.<\/p>\n

Fall: Take the PSAT and explore careers<\/h2>\n

Take a practice PSAT.<\/strong>
\nTaking the\u00a0PSAT<\/a> as a sophomore will help prepare you for the real thing next year. It also allows you to release your name to colleges so you can start receiving brochures from them.<\/p>\n

Start getting ready for the ACT.<\/strong>
\nAsk your guidance counselor about the\u00a0PLAN assessment<\/a> program offered by American College Testing. This program helps determine your study habits and academic progress and interests; it will also prepare you for the ACT.<\/p>\n

Stay on track with your courses.<\/strong>
\nWork with your guidance counselor to make sure you\u2019re enrolled in the courses you need to prepare you for college or a career. Move on to the next level of classes in the core subjects (English, math, science, history, and a foreign language).<\/p>\n

Begin learning about the college admissions process.<\/strong>
\nGet familiar with general college entrance requirements<\/a>. The guidance counselor\u2019s office, the library, college Web sites, and\u00a0advice\u00a0articles are all good sources of information.<\/p>\n

Continue exploring potential careers.<\/strong>
\nExplore your career options in more detail\u2014research possible careers to learn about the tasks, education, and training necessary for each occupation.<\/p>\n

Winter: Read and Write<\/h2>\n

Take on new roles.<\/strong>
\nStay involved with your\u00a0extracurricular activities<\/a> and work toward leadership positions in the activities you like best. Become involved in community service and other volunteer activities.<\/p>\n

Read, read, read.<\/strong>
\nDeveloping your reading skills will help prepare you for tests and make you a well-rounded individual. Read as many books as you can and read the newspaper to learn about current affairs.<\/p>\n

Practice your writing.<\/strong>
\nYou\u2019ll need good writing skills no matter what path you pursue, so work on those skills now to get prepared. Find a teacher or another adult who can advise and encourage you to write well.<\/p>\n

Get advice from your counselor.<\/strong>
\nMeet with your guidance counselor to make sure you\u2019re staying on track. You can also discuss your PSAT scores and ask about postsecondary enrollment options and Advanced Placement (AP) courses<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Spring\/Summer: Keep your grades up and\u00a0reach out to colleges<\/h2>\n

Keep your grades up.<\/strong>
\nThere\u2019s probably a lot competing for your attention, but it\u2019s important to remain focused on doing well in your classes. Remember that your grades affect your GPA and class rank\u2014two factors that colleges consider in the admissions process.<\/p>\n

Start your college search.<\/strong>
\nUse our college search tools to decide what factors are important to you and see a\u00a0list of\u00a0colleges<\/a> that matches your criteria. Attend college fairs and read the material you get from all types of schools\u2014you may see something you like.<\/p>\n

Contact colleges that interest you.<\/strong>
\nWrite to schools and ask for more information about their academic requirements and any programs or activities that you\u2019re interested in. It\u2019s especially important to start this process now if you think you want to attend a military academy.<\/p>\n

Consider taking SAT Subject Tests.<\/strong>
\nIt\u2019s often best to take these types of tests while the material is still fresh in your mind. In May or June, you may want to take\u00a0SAT Subject Tests<\/a> in the courses you took this year.<\/p>\n

Get a summer job.<\/strong>
\nFinding steady summer work will look good to prospective colleges and employers. Putting the money you earn away for college will also help you get a head start on a personal savings plan.<\/p>\n

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