What should I do during my high school years that will help me get into a really good college?

Question

I'm about to enter 9th grade and I'm trying to figure out all the classes I should take. I did really well in middle school so I'm hoping I'll do really well in high school too. I went to a private school for elementary and middle school, but now I'm entering a public high school and I have no idea what to expect. I want to do whatever I can to make sure I can get into a really good college. Getting into a top college has always been a big goal for me. If you have any advice I would love to get it.
Thanks So Much

Answer 1

The top universities will not only be looking at your grades, but also at any extracurricular activities you may have. Being on a sports team is good, of course, as are debate teams, chess clubs, and assorted civics programs.

However. If you REALLY want to dazzle them, then publish. Short stories; letters to the editor; opinion columns in newspapers; artwork, if you have the talent; cartoons (humorous or political), and so on. In short, anything.

Provosts and deans do not expect applicants to show up with a list of publications, and it will draw admiring attention to you; it is also an exhilarating experience!

Answer 2

I took a year off between School and University and I think it was the best thing I ever did... I spent the year working in a city office job as a receptionist, and it let me save money, get a break from studying and generally appreciate what it's like to stand on my own feet and not have to rely on my parents for a while. After I'd been out of school for a while i realised the plans I had originally made for uni weren't really what i wanted... and I was aiming for a field where I was going to be really unhappy... I learned alot about myself in my time away,... My advice would be to take the year off and spend some time working, and save money.... then after a few months you could spend some time travelling or put your savings towards your college fees. Just remember, there isn't a rush, you don't HAVE to go to college now. I'm not sure what it's like where you are, but in my Uni course (in australia) almost half the class are mature age students (over 21) and they usually top the class in exams because they've had they're time away, they're learning fresh and they know they're working towards something they really want to do. Good luck!

Answer 3

I'm about to enter graduate school, so I have a wealth of experience to draw upon.

First, keep your grades up. Sometimes there's a transition period to high school as it's a completely different animal than elementary/middle school. It might be harder for you coming from a private school.
Second, do SOMETHING other than schoolwork. Even if it's a part-time job. Colleges/universities understand that not everyone can afford to do nothing but schoolwork and extracurriculars.
Third, have some fun in life and don't be disappointed if your final destination is different than the original one. Really, it's the journey that counts. You change a lot between freshman yr in HS and sr yr in HS. The same thing can be said in college as well.
Fourth, find a way to make yourself stand out. The elite colleges and universities are so because their acceptance rate is insanely small.

Answer 4

* participate in sports and/or music, even if only for 2 years
* participate in other school activities, such as newpaper, fundraisers, Spanish club, etc.
* do some volunteer work, like for Habitat for Humanity or Toys for Tots, or walk in a Cystic Fibrosis walk
* take the courses your advisor most recommends, which may include AP classes; four years of a language, four of math and English, at least three of science, etc. Your school should have a college-track list of course suggestions
* work on your English and writing skills
* an outside job is okay but don't leave out studying; your final GPA, your ACT or SAT score, and your class rank will have quite a bit to do with getting scholarships and getting into the school of your dreams.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Keep the hopes and dreams alive by getting really good grades, and find a subject that your are really interested in and like a lot. Whatever you choose, make sure it's something you love to do, because if you choose for the wrong reason, you will be wasting time and money. Anything dealing with computers, medical, education will be subjects that will always be in demand. Do what makes you happy while you are doing it, and you'll figure it out before your four years are up.

Answer 6

TAKE CHALLENGING COURSES! but don't overload because that will hurt your grades in the long run. it sounds like learning comes pretty easily to you but don't let that fool you. high school is easy and hard at the same time. i'm a senior and if there's one thing i've learned it's that thinking ahead to college in your frosh year is very important. I am applying to Princeton in the fall so i have gone to visit it twice before. They all say the same thing however, challenge yourself in school and out of the class room. Do that by doing plenty of extracurriculars and leadership roles looks AMAZING! kaity2names is the screen name if you want more advice. I will do whatever i can to help. I'm a Big Sister at my high school so my job is to help incoming freshmen so this is technically my job. :)

Answer 7

take 4 full years of math, English, science and a foreign language. Doing that is going to really limit the special classes that you can take, but in the end, it is really worth it. What do you think you want to go to college for? take classes that will lead you toward that. talk to the school counselor to get their opinion on the best classes to get you to your goal.

Also, participate in sports, cheer leading, school clubs, anything as long as you are able to keep your grades up. Colleges look at how well rounded you are as a student.

Good luck to you.

Answer 8

Better yourself in TIME MANAGEMENT and Study Habbits. I am in distance learning through Axia College of University of Phoenix and it is AWESOME. I didn't do well in school and procrastinated. Actually I hated school. But this is the best. Be on fire to learn and write out your long and short time goals then mark out a plan inwhich you intend to follow to aquire your goals. Be the best because you can be the best.

Answer 9

tell your counselor that you want to enroll in college prep classes but it isnt all about grades. join a few clubs and maybe play a sport. colleges look for well-roundedness also maybe take up volunteering or a part-time job not only can these opportunities give you experience, your supervisor can write a good letter of recomendation. good luck

Answer 10

If you can handle AP classes those always look good. Join academic clubs. Do volunteer work. Student government might be something to explore as well. I wish you the very best!