Preparing for College: Starting Off High School on the Right Foot
For those of you in 9th grade, starting high school can be scary. It suddenly feels like every decision you make is in preparation for going to college. But it doesn’t have to be that way. While colleges and universities will look at your academics and involvement in 9th grade, you should really take the opportunity to create a solid foundation for the following three years. Here are some things you can do now:
Explore Extracurricular Activities
Join clubs and organizations at your school and in your community that you think you might enjoy. Try different things. Explore your options. It’s okay if you don’t stick with something after a semester or two. You’re not going to love everything! But you’ll probably find some activities you really like—and can continue into your sophomore, junior and senior years. Ultimately, schools are going to be interested in the quality rather than quantity of your activities, so take the time now to figure out what you’re really passionate about outside of the classroom.
Begin Compiling Information
When it comes time to fill out applications, you’re going to be asked for a lot of information. So, keep organized—and don’t be afraid to ask for help from your parents or guardians. You don’t have to have a master spreadsheet with everything you’ve ever done by the time you’re in 12th grade. But do hold on to honors or awards you’ve received. Maybe jot down activities in a Word document with some highlights of your involvement in those activities. You’ll find the process for completing applications so much smoother if you have all this information at the ready!
Do Well Academically
Probably the most important thing you can do is start on a college preparatory track and strive to earn good grades. Most, though not all, schools will consider your 9th grade grades when they calculate your GPA. A college preparatory track should consist of at least four academic solids (math, English, social science, natural science, etc.) per semester. You’ll also want to early mostly As and Bs, if you plan to apply to very competitive schools.
Talk with Your Counselor
Don’t be afraid to introduce yourself to your high school or college counselor—even if it’s early. They can help you plan out not just your courses for 9th grade, but also your courses for future years—and, ultimately, where you might want to apply to college. As a bonus, since they’ll likely write a letter of recommendation for you, you’ll get to know them earlier, so they’ll be able to really shine a light on your personal qualities.
I know that 9th grade can be intimidating. I remember it was for me. But think of 9th grade as an opportunity to start off on the right foot when it comes to preparing for college. And be sure to have a little fun too!
Written by: Anne Aubert-Santelli, Associate Director, USC Office of Admission