Grades 9 and 10 - Starting Early
The road to a successful college selection process begins day 1 in your freshman year. This begins the building of your academic profile, the most important credential you will submit to college admission offices as a senior. Therefore, it is extremely important to vigorously pursue your academics beginning in the freshman year as all years are deemed important from the view of the majority of the colleges in the nation. Colleges base your potential success in their institutions on how you performed academically in high school. So, begin to focus on the basics from the frosh year.

It is essential to develop excellent study skills now rather than waking up in junior year and realizing you’d better get going. Read voraciously to improve your vocabulary and concentrate on the basics: reading, writing, ‘rithmetic! Your English and math skills will be tested during the SAT exam as you reach junior year and these scores will help determine your success at college admission to the universities you will be considering.

It’s NEVER too early to begin to plan! Emphasize academics; master the basics and do not let them slide. Solid preparation is essential. Plan a secondary school curriculum. It is always favorable to admission committees to take at least four years of academic credit in the five core academic disciplines (English, History, Science, Math and  Foreign Language) as well as staying sequential and cumulative. This makes for a more consistent knowledge base in the five core areas. Taking just the minimum requirements needed for graduation will not make your application competitive in the eyes of an admission committee. Exceed the minimum and challenge yourself, selecting honors and AP courses that compliment your academic strengths without overburdening you to the point of poor performance. Taking 5 honors/AP courses and getting C’s in most will not be viewed in a positive light by the admission committees. Take accelerated courses in areas that are your strengths!

READ, READ, READ outside of school.

It is essential not only to build your academic profile but also your personal profile. Make constructive/enriching summer plans. Colleges not only evaluate what students achieve during their four years of high school but also what they accomplish in the summer through summer enrichment programs, work experiences, internships, pre-college experiences, and study or travel abroad.

Attend the Santa Margarita/SMES College Night at Santa Margarita Catholic High School in late September. Ask questions and read materials.

Take the PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test) in October of grade 11. The PSAT is based on two years of sequential coursework in Math and English and is officially given to every college bound junior in the United States.

 Attend NACAC (National Association of College Admission Counseling) College Fair in Anaheim each spring.

Ask questions. Stop in and talk with the college counselor, borrow catalogues from the College Guidance Office or watch college videos.

Discuss interests, abilities, weaknesses, goals, values, colleges, and finances within the family.

The college counselors are available to answer your questions (and your parents’).