There are many factors to consider when building your college list, including campus size, location, cost, and available programs. Consider which of these factors you value most to help you narrow down your search and create the right list for you!
If you're taking an AP course, you can access free learning resources on bigfuture.collegeboard.org Opens in a new browser tab
Want to start hearing from colleges and scholarship programs looking for students like you? Opt into Student Search Service so they can contact you directly. You'll learn about life on campus, scholarships, financial aid, and more.
It's not too early to start thinking about scholarships. Discover scholarship opportunities from over 6,000 different programs and organizations. You can find matches based on your intended major, cultural background, and other factors.
The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. If your school offers the PSAT/NMSQT to 10th graders, you'll take it in the fall. The PSAT/NMSQT measures the skills and knowledge that are most important for college and career success. It can help you see your strengths and the areas you need to improve so you can stay on track.
What kind of education is required for the careers you’re interested in? Start exploring careers and learn about different paths to get there.
The PSAT/NMSQT is the Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test. If your school offers the PSAT/NMSQT to 10th graders, you'll take it in the fall. The PSAT/NMSQT measures the skills and knowledge that are most important for college and career success. It can help you see your strengths and the areas you need to improve so you can stay on track.
Make an appointment to meet with your school counselor who’ll help you set goals for life after high school. If you’re considering college, you’ll want to learn about graduation requirements, the college application process, and other recommendations to help you plan for college and career.
It’s time to start planning for 10th grade. You’ll work with your counselor, teachers, and/or parents to select courses. Be sure to look at which AP courses you might be able to take. AP classes aren't just for juniors and seniors. In fact, some of the most popular courses are often taken by 9th and 10th graders. Check out the most popular AP courses for younger students.
In preparation for your first SAT, we recommend setting a goal score to strive toward when test day comes. Review your score report from the PSAT/NMSQT to identify what knowledge and skills you need to work on, and then go to Khan Academy(R) for Official Digital SAT Prep. About two weeks before test day, take a full-length practice test. You'll feel more confident with more test taking experience, and you'll see how close you come to reaching your goal score.
AP Classroom has several free resources available to help you prepare for your upcoming exams. You can access AP Daily: Practice Sessions, AP Daily videos, as well as other resources including free-response questions, sample student responses, and scoring guidelines from previous exams. Check them out today.
Consider what your SAT score means for your college or career goals, and give yourself a pat on the back for your hard work. If you’re hoping to boost your score, think about taking the test a second time. Your score report will show you the knowledge and skills that you should focus on to improve.
Make an appointment to meet with your school counselor who’ll help you set goals for life after high school. If you’re considering college, you’ll want to learn about graduation requirements, the college application process, and other recommendations to help you plan for college and career.
It’s time to start planning for 10th grade. You’ll work with your counselor, teachers, and/or parents to select courses. Be sure to look at which AP courses you might be able to take. AP classes aren't just for juniors and seniors. In fact, some of the most popular courses are often taken by 9th and 10th graders. Check out the most popular AP courses for younger students.
In preparation for your first SAT, we recommend setting a goal score to strive toward when test day comes. Review your score report from the PSAT/NMSQT to identify what knowledge and skills you need to work on, and then go to Khan Academy(R) for Official Digital SAT Prep. About two weeks before test day, take a full-length practice test. You'll feel more confident with more test taking experience, and you'll see how close you come to reaching your goal score.
This year stay focused on following through. Completing an AP Exam always has benefits, no matter your score. It shows colleges you’re willing to challenge yourself by completing college-level coursework. And if it’s your first time taking an AP Exam, learn what to expect Opens in a new browser tab so you’ll feel confident on test day. You go many free resources online to aid you in preparing for your AP Exams.
Get the facts about what college costs and look at the average net price of colleges you’re interested in. You may be surprised by how affordable higher education can be. You can use some of the resources below:
Summer is a great time to explore interests and learn new skills — and colleges look for students who pursue meaningful summer activities. Help your high schooler look into summer learning programs or find a job or internship.
Make plans to check out the college campuses you’re interested in. Use the Campus Visit Checklist to learn how to get the most out of these experiences or look at virtual tour options.
