Getting Ready Is Just as Important as Getting In!

By Jennifer Dunn
Director, Counselor Advocacy, the College Board National Office for School Counselor Advocacy

"I got all the way to the 11th grade and looked around and noticed that students were getting ready to go somewhere. I had no idea what they were getting ready to do. They were rushing in out of the school counseling office and up and down the hallways, talking to teachers and friends about getting ready."

This is a quote from a young man named Jonathan Sanchez. Today he is a first-generation college student. But when he was 16 years old, he had no idea that he needed to be preparing for the next phase of life.
At the time, Jonathan was in the same position as many other young Americans.

He had a career goal that required a college degree. His parents wanted him to have every opportunity to succeed. Yet he was unfamiliar with the path to college admission, including what precollege tests and high school courses he needed to take and how to save for college. And since he was already a junior, he needed to learn fast.

That's why it's important for students like Jonathan to begin their college journey as early as possible         — practically at birth— and continue through elementary, middle and high school. In elementary school, it is essential that students like Jonathan are involved in activities that connect to their academic interests and nurture their talents. Some elementary schools offer music, art or athletic programs, and students should take advantage of every resource at their disposal.

In middle school, they should explore and deepen college and career knowledge by participating in career fairs and visiting college campuses. Finally, when students enter high school, they should enroll in the most challenging English, social studies, math and science classes to ensure a wide range of college and career options.

However, even for students who do not begin the preparation process until as late as their junior year, it's not too late. School counselors, teachers, parents and other family members can help their students develop a plan that will carry them from high school to college and beyond.

Once the plan is created, parents can monitor progress by ensuring that the students have taken a college admission test like the SAT®, visited college campuses as well as searched for scholarships and grants and completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Despite Jonathan's delayed preparation, he was able to attend college directly after graduating from high school. His educational journey wasn't the most ideal, but the support of his family and his own persistence carried him across the finish line. Other students can learn from his example, and from the tools he used to facilitate his journey.

A College Plan:
•    Talk to your school counselor or teachers about your dream career and college plans.
•    Get ready for the SAT by taking a practice test and signing up for The Official SAT Question of the Day™. Don’t forget to review the SAT testing schedule to know the best dates to register.
•    Make a list of colleges and universities that meet your interest, preferences and personal qualities. Visit several colleges and universities to know if they meet your needs, such as your desired major.
•    Find out if you are eligible for any scholarships and/or grants. Be sure to talk with your school counselor and attend your school’s financial aid night to learn all your options.
Additional Resources:
•    YouCanGo!™: This College Board website combines practical information about college opportunities with real-life videos and success stories from young people who have overcome obstacles to make their college dreams come true.
Source: http://youcango.collegeboard.org
•    KnowHow2Go: This website provides interactive resources for middle and high school students and families looking to choose the right college.
Source: www.knowhow2go.org
•    College Board College MatchMaker: This website is a free database of more than 3,800 schools that provides students and families a way to search colleges by location, major, cost and more.
Source: http://collegesearch.collegeboard.com/search/index.jsp
•    College Board Store: The store provides helpful print material that can assist in the college search (e.g., Getting Financial Aid, Book of Majors, College Handbook, and International Student Handbook).
Source: http://store.collegeboard.com/sto/enter.do