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When should I start thinking about college?
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It is best to begin thinking about college no later than junior high or middle school. A student who decides to go to
college before high school is able to use all four years to help reach his or her goals. If you know the courses you need to take in high school, you can start satisfying college admission requirements as early as the 8th grade. The decisions you make about your high school studies can influence whether the college you choose will also want you.
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What if I know that I want to go to college, but I am not sure what I want to study?
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Sometimes it is difficult to decide, especially for students who enjoy many different things and have the ability to do lots
of things well. One thing that can help is to begin thinking about your career choices early and to consider all the different
aspects of a job. Do some research, find out what jobs are available, and talk to people who work in an area that you think
sounds interesting. It may not be necessary to decide on a specific career immediately, but it is a good idea to narrow your
choices as much as possible. Use the Career Matching Assistant module to assist your search.
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What high school courses do I need to take to help me get into college?
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Even if they are not required for high school graduation, most colleges require at least three, and preferably four, years of
studies in the following subjects:
- English
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
In addition, most colleges require at least two years of the same foreign language. Computer science courses or courses that
require students to use computers in research and project preparation are often essential for college performance.
Courses that require study and time outside
the classroom (such as debate, band, communications, and drama) indicate a willingness to cooperate with others and to put in the
effort needed to succeed.
Your grades are important. However, the difficulty of your coursework can also be a significant admissions factor. In general,
most colleges prefer students with average grades in tougher courses than students who opt for easy As.
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What else can I do to improve my chances of being accepted?
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Class Rank
College admissions counselors usually consider class rank. By doing so, colleges are looking at the grades you make in relation to your peers.
Standardized Tests
In addition to coursework, grades, and class rank, scores on standardized tests (such as the SAT I and ACT) are included among
the criteria for admission to some colleges and universities.
College Credit Before You Start
Often high school students are eligible to receive college credit while they are still enrolled in high school. Advanced
Placement and technical-preparation courses offer students who prepare early and take more difficult courses during their junior high school
and high school years the chance to gain college credit and save on tuition.
Advanced Placement (AP) courses are available in more than 20 subjects. Students scoring high enough on AP exams can receive
college credit and save time and money by taking fewer college courses. Ask your high school counselor if AP courses are
available in your school.
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What are standardized tests?
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Students interested in attending college should become familiar with three exams associated with college admissions.
Check with your high school counselor or the schools you're interested in attending to find out what test
or tests are required for someone in your situation. Also, ask your counselor, contact the testing agencies, or check your
local bookstore for samples of past tests to familiarize yourself with the test(s) you will take.
- PSAT
The PSAT (Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test) is a two-part exam that is very similar to the SAT I (Scholastic
Assessment Test). The PSAT consists of two 25-minute verbal sections, two 25-minute math sections, and one 30-minute
writing skills section. Most students take the PSAT in the fall of their junior year of high school, though some choose to take it during their sophomore year. PSAT scores from the junior year are used to determine National Merit Scholars, students who qualify for merit-based scholarships distributed throughout the United States. Talk to your high school counselor for
more information or call the PSAT information line at (609) 771-7070.
- SAT
The SAT is one of two standardized tests used by colleges as part of their admissions criteria. The SAT I is a three-hour
exam that measures verbal and math reasoning skills. Scores on each section range from 200-800 points.
The SAT II consists of more than 20 subject-area tests designed to measure subject-area
knowledge. Contact your high school counselor for test dates, locations, and study guides, or call the Educational Testing
Service for general SAT information at (609) 771-7600.
- ACT Assessment
Another standardized test used for admissions by colleges is the ACT Assessment. The test is designed to measure
achievement in English, math, reading, and science. Scores for each section are averaged to create a composite score. A
perfect score on the ACT Assessment is 36. Contact your high school counselor for test dates, locations, and study
materials to familiarize yourself with test content and questions, or call the ACT information line at (319) 337-1000.
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Does it help to take both the ACT and the SAT I?
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Some students do choose to take both the SAT and the ACT, and some test takers do perform better on one than the other.
Sometimes, however, scores on one aren't much better or worse than the scores on the other. Talk to your counselor or an
admissions officer at a college or university before deciding which test to take and whether or not to take them both. There really
isn't any way to know whether you will do better on one or the other until you take them.
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What if I don't know which college or university I want to send my scores to?
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Both the ACT and the SAT allow test takers to send their scores to several different organizations, including scholarship
programs, colleges, and universities. Even if you aren't certain which school(s) you will apply to, you can send your scores to
those that you think you are most likely to decide to apply to. If you decide on one that isn't even on your list of
possibilities, you can pay to have another report sent there later.
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What if I get a terrible score? Can I take the test a second time?
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Yes, both the ACT and the SAT allow students to take the test multiple times. Sometimes scores do improve enough to make
a difference, but there is no guarantee that scores will improve. If you want to
improve your scores, you should see about doing some things to prepare first. Talk to a counselor before you take a test over.
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