College Planning Checklist for Sophomores
- Meet with your high school counselor — again. Be sure to meet with your school counselor to ensure that your course schedule is challenging enough to prepare you for college.
- Check into any prerequisites for advanced-level junior- and senior-year courses.
- Check into any prerequisites for advanced-level junior- and senior-year courses.
- Ask if the PSAT/NMSQT® is offered to 10th-graders. Although this test is usually given in the 11th grade, it is also often offered in the 10th grade. That’s because it provides valuable feedback through the Student Score Report. You can then work on any of your academic weaknesses while there is still plenty of time to make improvements.
- Are you interested in attending a U.S. military academy? If so, you should request a precandidate questionnaire.
- Attend college and career fairs.The fairs often take place in the fall at your school or in your area.
- Participate in school activities or volunteer efforts. Extracurricular activities can help you develop time-management skills and enrich your high school experience. Work with a counselor to resolve any admission or financial aid problems.
- Tour college campuses. If possible, take advantage of vacation or other family travel time to visit colleges and see what they’re like. Even if you have no interest in attending the college you are visiting, it will help you learn what to look for in a college.