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10TH GRADE: BUILD

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Return to 9th Grade
Trail Guide Home
Go to 11th Grade

August

OBJECTIVE 1:
Continue involvement with extra-curricular activities. If your schedule allows, add one more activity to broaden your experiences and opportunities.

ACTION 1:
"What College Admissions Offices Look for in Extracurricular Activities"

September

OBJECTIVE 1:
Proper course mapping is an essential component of becoming "college ready."  

ACTION 1:

Meet with your high school counselor to make sure that you are on track with your college prep curriculum.

OBJECTIVE 2:
Get a jump on the SAT and ACT by taking a prep course. We recommend that each test be taken once during your sophomore year so that you can focus on prepping and re-taking your junior year (leaving Senior year for college applications without the added stress of re-takes).  You can re-take both tests until you are satisfied with your scores (maximum of 12 times for the ACT).  Do not wait until the end of your Junior year or Senior year to prepare and take these exams!


The ACT is offered the following months: September, October, December, February, April, and June


The SAT is offered the following months: October, November, December, January, March, May, and June

ACTION 2:
Dr. Carlin's ACT Prep Webinar

Register for ACT

Dr. Carlin's SAT Prep Webinar

Register for SAT

Dr. Carlin's Podcast Episode - Importance of Early Testing

October

OBJECTIVE 1:
Take the PSAT again this month if offered at your school.  10th grade students who take the test benefit from early feedback on their skills. Research shows that students in U.S. schools who take the PSAT/NMSQT in 10th and 11th grades score, on average, 189 points higher on the SAT than students who do not.

ACTION 1:
PSAT

November

OBJECTIVE 1:
Continue to practice reading skills by challenging yourself with difficult material and building your fluency and comprehension.  

ACTION 1:
101 Great Books Recommended for College-Bound Readers

December

OBJECTIVE 1:
Update your high school resume to include accomplishments and awards earned to this point.

ACTION 1:
College Prep Resume

January

OBJECTIVE 1:
Evaluate your high school career thus far (second semester of your second year).  Are you doing what is necessary to accomplish your goals?  Are your grades where they need to be? What could you do to ensure your success?

ACTION 1:
Review College Prep Goals

February

OBJECTIVE 1:
Build on your knowledge of fields of study or careers that you might consider pursuing. Research what level of post-secondary education would be required for these careers and what types of classes you would need to take. 

ACTION 1:
Bureau of Labor: Occupational Outlook Handbook

March

OBJECTIVE 1:
Research the average ACT and SAT scores needed for admission to colleges in your area (state or regional) or for other colleges that you might be interested in attending. 

ACTION 1:
ACT Score Comparison for Top Universities

SAT Score Comparison for Top Universities

April

OBJECTIVE 1:
Schedule challenging classes for junior year to stay on the ʺcollege readinessʺ track. Don't forget to schedule AP courses and continue foreign language course sequence. 

Consider scheduling IB (International Baccalaureate) courses if offered. These courses are offered Junior and Senior year and can also result in earned college credit.

ACTION 1:
Discover the Difference Between AP and IB Classes

Explore IB Course Options

"Advice From a Dean of Admissions on Selecting High School Courses"

May

OBJECTIVE 1:
Make a list of what matters to you in a college - location, size, price, majors, athletics - this can help you keep focused in preparing for the application process.

Research 2 or 3 colleges that you've heard of to see what is required to attend and what they offer. Do they fit your list of requirements?

ACTION 1:

College Inventory

June

OBJECTIVE 1:
Continue summer employment and/or volunteering.  Job shadowing in a career that you may be interested in could also be valuable.

ACTION 1:
Research Job Shadowing

Sample Cover Letter for Students Requesting Job Shadowing

July

OBJECTIVE 1:
Make a committment to yourself to kick your college prepartion into high gear Junior year.  As an upperclassman, now is the time to focus on reaching your goals.

ACTION 1:
"What Should High School Juniors Do to Prepare for College?"

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Trail Guide Home
Go to 11th Grade