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What do high school seniors need to know about college?

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James Holden

Published Feb 25, 2026

What do high school seniors need to know about college?

7 Things Graduating Seniors Should Know About College
  • You Have Control Over Your Courses. Photo.
  • Every Class Counts.
  • You Are Expected to Do a Lot of the Work on Your Own.
  • The Testing Is Often Done by 'Sampling'
  • College Papers Are More Than Just Reports.
  • You Don't Have to Pick a Major in Your First Year.
  • The Professor Would Like to Help You Succeed.

In respect to this, what should a senior in high school be doing to prepare for college?

10 Things Seniors Need To Do To Get Ready For College

  • Take/Retake the ACT or SAT Tests. There's really no way around this one.
  • Check Your Class Rank and GPA.
  • Visit Schools You Are Interested In.
  • Fill out your FAFSA.
  • Practice Writing Those Essays.
  • Use A Calendar.
  • Get a Job.
  • Get the Supplies You Need.

Similarly, what high school students need to know about college? Preparing for College: Tips for High School Students

  • Begin the college search as early as possible.
  • Discipline yourself.
  • Learn time management.
  • Be prepared to do a lot of reading.
  • Brush up on your studying skills.
  • Take advantage of advanced classes in high school.
  • Participate in volunteer and community service programs.

In this way, what do high school seniors look for in a college?

Academics, job placement potential and cost are the most important factors to high school students when choosing a college, according to new data from the National Center for Education Statistics based on a 2012 survey of more than 23,000 students, most of whom were 11th-graders.

What every senior should know before graduation?

  • You'll miss these days. Advertisement.
  • A college degree doesn't guarantee your dream job.
  • Adult life is expensive.
  • Friends will come and go.
  • Every choice you make can impact your future.
  • Listen to your heart when deciding your career.
  • Salary is only one measure of success.
  • Don't be afraid to be surprised.

What is a senior checklist?

Narrow down your list of colleges. Collect information about the application and financial aid process at each school. Create a checklist and calendar to keep track of standardized test dates, college application due dates, and financial aid deadlines.

What do high school seniors need?

If you are looking to shop for a high school senior, look no further:
  • Giant headphones.
  • A blank check.
  • Stress ball in the shape of a diploma.
  • White t-shirt and sharpies.
  • Haircut.
  • Poster board.
  • Laptop.
  • College acceptance letter.

What should I do in my senior year of college?

10 things to do senior year of college to set yourself up for
  • Clean up your social media profiles.
  • Create a personal website or blog.
  • Learn a new skill.
  • Network as much as possible.
  • Find a mentor.
  • Line up at least three professional references.
  • Complete at least one internship.
  • Hone your elevator pitch.

How should I prepare for my last year of college?

Here are a few pieces of advice for incoming seniors to help you get the most out of your final year.
  1. Life after college: Career or more school?
  2. Prepare your resume.
  3. Visit your campus career center.
  4. Examine your classes.
  5. Look at internships.
  6. Build a killer LinkedIn profile.
  7. Think about job interviews.

When should you start preparing for college?

Some experts recommend starting as early as sixth grade. We have found that starting to think about and to prepare for college should ideally start during the summer before your high school freshman year, but getting help later can still be of benefit to you.

How do I start preparing for college?

  1. Be ready before classes start.
  2. Find out the latest COVID-19 protocols.
  3. Read as much as possible.
  4. Research possible college majors.
  5. Polish social, people and soft skills.
  6. Embrace time-management tools.
  7. Weigh getting a job freshman year.
  8. Keep in touch with the financial aid office.

What GPA do colleges look at?

Many colleges list average grades of their entering students (on the 4.0 GPA scale) to give a sense of how competitive the college is. Sometimes you will see what percentage of the entering class had grades above 3.0 or 3.5, for example.

Do colleges look at freshman grades?

But how much do colleges look at freshman year? Colleges closely evaluate freshman year grades and activities, but not in the ways you might think. And most colleges consider your child's overall high school GPA, meaning the grades they receive freshman year do have weight.

What traits do colleges look for?

  • Positive Attitude.
  • Independent Thinking. One of the essential distinguishable traits colleges look for is independent thinking.
  • Creativity and Innovation.
  • Critical Thinking.
  • Perseverance/Hard Work.
  • Curiosity/Inquisitiveness.
  • Initiative and Ambition.
  • Leadership.

What do most colleges look for?

Overall, college admissions typically value students with a difficult course load and grades that represent strong efforts and upward trending scores. But in addition to curriculum and grades, colleges also look at students' scores on the SAT or ACT.

Do colleges look at social media?

Before you apply to college is the time to think about what your online presence tells viewers about you. Some colleges have confirmed they do take your social media presence into consideration during the college application process. Basically, colleges and companies have the right to look at your social media.

Do colleges like consistency?

Contrary to popular belief, colleges are not looking for well-rounded students. As with your courses and grades, colleges like to see consistency and commitment when it comes to your extracurricular activities.

Does USC require 4 years of math?

Review your recent and current class schedules with your college counselor to make sure you are taking the college preparatory classes you need for admission to USC. Take AP or IB courses if offered at your school. A fourth year of math and a laboratory science are strongly recommended for your senior year.

What do colleges look for in essays?

Admissions officers look for students whose essays reveal their character and perspective through their real experiences, not contrived situations. Admissions officers say most essays they read are safe, generic and do nothing to make them remember or want to advocate for the students who wrote them.

Do colleges look at senior year?

Do College Look at Senior Year Grades? Yes, colleges will look at your senior year grades. Your final high school transcript is the last piece of the puzzle that is college admissions, and ending on a strong note will ensure your admissions decision.

What electives do colleges look for?

6 Electives All High School Students Should Take
  • Selecting Electives. Generally speaking, a high school student's academic life doesn't include much opportunity for customization.
  • A Foreign Language.
  • Public Speaking.
  • Writing.
  • Personal Finance.
  • Computer Programming/Science.
  • Something Fun.

What Sciences do colleges look for?

For the country's most selective colleges, biology, chemistry, and physics represent the minimum requirements. The strongest applicants will have taken advanced courses in one or more of those subject areas. For example, a student might take biology in 10th grade and then AP biology in 11th or 12th grade.

How many high school students do not go to college?

3.2 million high school (or equivalent) graduates begin college in the fall. 69.1% of high school completers attend college in the fall after they graduate. 63.1% of them attend 4-year schools while 36.9% attend 2-year institutions.

What should I do in highschool to get into college?

12 Tips for Getting into the College of Your Choice
  • Get the best possible grades you can during ALL four years of high school.
  • Take academically rigorous classes ALL four years.
  • Practice taking the SAT or ACT.
  • Try taking both the SAT and ACT.
  • Take SAT Subject Tests and AP Tests.

How do I prepare for college checklist?

Preparing for School Checklist
  1. Set Education and Career Goals.
  2. Choose a Career and Degree Program.
  3. Complete the FAFSA.
  4. Apply to Colleges of Your Choice.
  5. Budget for Tuition and Other College Expenses.
  6. Apply for Scholarships and Grants.
  7. Take Required Assessment Exams.
  8. Learn to study with distractions.

How do high schools plan for college?

11th Grade: College Planning Timeline
  1. Stay on track with your classes and grades.
  2. Take the PSAT.
  3. Evaluate your education options.
  4. Make a college list.
  5. Continue gathering college information.
  6. Organize a testing plan.
  7. Make sure you're meeting any special requirements.
  8. Stay involved with extracurricular activities.

How do high school freshmen prepare for college?

Fall:
  1. Take a practice PSAT.
  2. Begin getting ready for the ACT.
  3. Stay on track with your courses: Talk with your guidance counselor to make sure you're enrolled in the classes you need to prepare you for college or a career.
  4. Get familiar with general college admission requirements.
  5. Start attending college fairs in your area.

What do you say to incoming college freshmen?

9 Things You Might Want to Say to Your College Freshman
  • You have given me more joy and happiness than I ever thought possible.
  • I believe in you.
  • Push yourself.
  • You will be fine.
  • You can tell me anything and I will never judge you.
  • I will miss you.
  • I'm sorry for…
  • You will always have a home.

Do colleges look at what classes you took?

Colleges will know what classes your high school offers and will evaluate you in terms of what opportunities you had. You won't be penalized for not taking higher-level courses if they aren't offered. Not every student can realistically take on a full course load of Honors and AP courses and do well.

What does a high school graduate need to know?

High School Graduation Requirements
  • Three years of English.
  • Two years of mathematics (including Algebra I)
  • Three years of social science (including U.S. history and geography; world history, culture, and geography; one semester of American government; and one semester of economics)

What do you say to a senior in high school 2020?

More casual
  • “Congratulations on your high school graduation, Tyler!
  • “I wish I could be at your graduation to give you a hug and tell you in person how proud I am of you.â€
  • “Even though we'll miss seeing you in your cap and gown, we would never miss this chance to tell you we're proud of you.â€
  • “I feel a shout coming on!

What should a high school graduate know?

The top five skills chosen here in 2020 include problem-solving and critical thinking skills, foundational skills such as reading and math, leadership characteristics, a sense of global/cultural citizenship, and the ability to communicate well.

What should I know before graduating college?

10 Things You Should Know Before Graduation
  • You Will Likely Need To Unlearn A Lot Of Your Schooling.
  • College Degrees Are Becoming Increasingly Irrelevant.
  • You Should Know If College Will Get You Where You Want To Go.
  • You Are Your Only Competition.
  • The Choices You Make Now Will Impact The Rest Of Your Life.

What should I do the first day of senior year?

To help your child stay on target, here are 9 things all high schoolers should do before they begin their senior year.
  • Realize No One is Going to Coddle Them in College.
  • Start Scholarships NOW.
  • Volunteer Before Their Senior Year.
  • Collect Recommendation Letters.
  • Get Ready for the FAFSA.

What should I do before my senior year ends?

And be sure to check off these senior year bucket list items — you'll be glad you did!
  • Figure out your long-term plans.
  • Start a virtual book club.
  • Have an all-night movie or TV marathon with your friends.
  • Visit a world-famous attraction or museum via your phone or computer.
  • Attend a play.
  • Start a virtual club at school.

How do you become friends with seniors in high school?

How to Make New Friends in High School
  1. Join a club or team.
  2. Go to social events.
  3. Volunteer or get a job.
  4. Be active on social media.
  5. Sit with people who are on their own.
  6. Make eye contact and smile at people you see.
  7. Use relaxation techniques when you get nervous.

How can I be a cool senior?

SENIOR YEAR BUCKET LIST:
  1. Go to EVERY home football game.
  2. Join a club.
  3. Go to homecoming.
  4. Take a trip with your best friends.
  5. Write a time capsule letter.
  6. Go to a pep rally.
  7. Do a senior prank.
  8. Participate in Spirit Week.

What every graduate should know?

9 Things Every Graduate Should Know
  • People matter. Treat people well, not because they'll always treat you well, but because it's the right thing to do.
  • There are very few rules.
  • Be completely transparent.
  • Always learn.
  • Create value.
  • Your network is vital.
  • Study successful people.
  • Never operate from a position of fear.

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