10th Grade. Start researching colleges!
“We started working with ARTriculate sophomore year and it made all the difference. It allowed us to plan two pre-college summers and have time to visit colleges before life got crazy in junior year.”
Gallery at Westphal Media Art and Design (Drexel University)
Focus on your academics, plan your summer activities, and visit college campuses whenever you can… a strong plan will set you on the road to success.
This is the year to start developing your college list. Evaluate your extracurricular activities and community service, if they excite you continue, if they don’t find ones that do. Colleges love students who show commitment and responsibility to activities throughout their four years of high school so it’s important to find activities where you will continue to grow.
Building on the college visits you started in 9th grade, start attending college fairs and college visits at your school. Start to learn which colleges and programs interest you. Introduce yourself to admissions officers when they visit. When you can, take the opportunity to visit college campuses, always sit in the information sessions and take a tour, wandering around a campus doesn’t give you nearly the same experience and information as a tour. Many families work with us to plan colleges visits to coincide with their spring and summer travels. Contact us and we’ll send you our guide for visiting colleges.
Keep your grades up. If you are struggling with an academic subject, go to office hours (a great way to get to know your teachers and them to know you), get help, either from your teachers or from outside tutors. Getting help from teachers has the added benefit of developing relationships that might benefit you when you ask for recommendations.
Start planning your summer early. There are many great pre-college programs available starting the summer after 10th grade but beware, the more selective ones have fall application deadlines. They can introduce you to a new skill, provide an opportunity to be involved in a performance, and allow you to experience a college environment. Read our blog about why we love pre-college summer programs. Other students find a summer job, colleges love this as it shows that you are starting to function in the adult world, and possibly that you are taking on some leadership opportunities (counselor-in-training is perfect for this) but you have to start planning early so you don’t miss any opportunities.
In 10th grade we
help you research and apply to pre-college summer programs, internships, and other opportunities,
plan college visits, and
map out your academic and test taking plan for 11th grade.
By the end of 10th grade you will have hopefully visited a few local colleges and started to learn which characteristics are important in determining your college fit.
Big tips:
Take your PSATs seriously (get a good night sleep before the test). National Merit Scholarships are awarded based on your PSAT scores, many colleges award scholarships based on these scores as well.
Don’t save all your college visits for 11th grade, as it is a key for academics, creative supplement preparation, and SAT/ACT test taking, your schedule may not allow for many visits.
Set up an email for college applications for BOTH parents and students to check. Schools not only communicate with you through email but some also monitor how quickly you open their emails and if you click on their links. So, remember to show schools you like some love and click on their links.
Visit our resources page for links to many helpful sites.