<p>Hi! So my sister will be a freshman in high school next year and we could really use some advice on now to start prepping for college. I knew very little when I applied and we've learned a lot but we still have a lot to learn. So if anyone has any tips for us on what she can do (including when to take the SAT/PSAT, what math classes she should try to take, etc), it would be really appreciated! Thank you!</p>
<p>Oh, she likes math/science but we don’t even know what extra curriculars she should try to join.</p>
<p>The most important thing to concentrate on is academics. She should choose a rigorous schedule of high school courses and do well in them. Recommended inclusions:</p>
<p>4 years of English
math through precalculus minimum, take calculus if available and interested in a major that needs it (all sciences, engineering, economics, business)
foreign language to level 4 (higher is even better)
all three of biology, chemistry, and physics
3 or more years of history and social studies courses
art and/or music</p>
<p>Testing wise, the typical schedule is:</p>
<p>sophomore year: take PSAT for practice and to get an early read on what PSAT/SAT preparation may be needed
junior year: take PSAT to try for National Merit scholarships; take SAT and ACT (one each); if needed for colleges under consideration, take SAT subject tests for courses just completed
senior year: retake SAT or ACT if desired to raise it
any year: if she completes an AP course, she can take the AP test (although be aware that many of them are not all that well accepted for subject credit in college, particularly those commonly taken by freshman and sophomores in high school)</p>
<p>For extracurriculars, she should do what she likes.</p>
<p>Wow, this is a lot of information, thank you!</p>
<p>For AP tests, is it even worth it to take them then? Or should she just take AP classes and not bother with the test (it’s $100 if I recall, seems like a lot of money if the credits won’t even transfer)?</p>
<p>The problem is, you won’t know if the credits transfer until she decides on a college, so full information about whether AP tests will be accepted can only be known for AP tests taken in senior year, after college decisions have been made. If she takes any AP courses earlier, it may be better to take the AP tests anyway, on the chance (not guarantee) that they are given credit which may allow replacing a required course with a free elective, or give better class standing for registration priority purposes.</p>
<p>Most colleges have AP credit lists on their web sites so you can check to see which ones are most likely given credit. Calculus is probably the one most commonly given subject credit and advanced placement, while some others like human geography and environmental science have a low likelihood of being useful (although state universities may still give generic elective credits that can help class standing).</p>
<p>What a helpful older sibling you are! </p>
<p>It will be good to get to know her guidance counselor. The GC can help steer her towards the appropriate classes, and will be able to write a glowing recommendation when application time comes.</p>
<p>For ECs, she should do what she enjoys. Colleges want to see who she is as a person. The goal is NOT a long list of short-term ECs, but a list that is a reflection of commitment and interest.</p>
<p>For ECs, she hasn’t really found something that interests her. I mean, she likes music and has played the piano for a while but not seriously. Should she pursue piano more? Would that help at all?</p>
<p>It would be best to let her find what she likes to do.</p>
<p>Also, academics are most important; ECs tend to be of relatively minor importance at most schools, at least until you get to the super-selective schools where huge numbers of applicants have near-maximum academic credentials and ECs, essays, etc. are used to distinguish between those whose academic credentials make them worthy of consideration.</p>
<p>Note that some large scholarships are given out just on the basis of grades and test scores:
<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-14.html[/url]”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/financial-aid-scholarships/1348012-automatic-full-tuition-full-ride-scholarships-14.html</a></p>
<p>In terms of the college application process, she needs to talk to her (your) parents about what kind of cost constraints she will have by the time she starts making up her application list (summer between junior and senior years at the latest). This will help her determine what schools are affordable, so that she can tailor her application list appropriately.</p>
<p>Also, the first school to put on the application list should be a safety which she is for sure to be admitted to, for sure to be able to afford, and able to fit in academically and otherwise. Obviously, she should like the safety and be happy to attend it if she gets in nowhere else.</p>
<p>Thank you all so much for your responses. You don’t know how much it means to us to have this help. </p>
<p>Ok, so she’s switching from a private school to public HS and we have no idea where her math level is at. She can take Algebra 1 or Geometry next year (Algebra 1 will let her take up to Pre Calc, Geometry up to Calc AB). Is it worth it to risk putting her in Geometry even if she’ll have some catch up in Algebra 2? I know course rigor is important and I want to make sure we’re not signing her up for an easy schedule right off the bat. </p>
<p>She already knows how much my parents are able to spend (barring extenuating circumstances). My dad is giving us each the same amount, at least until her runs out (ie kid #4 might not have as much). In reality though, we need her to get a pretty big scholarship (she’s academically the strongest of the 4 of us). That’s why I’m trying to figure this out now. So like full academic scholarship would be amazing, even if it’s to a tier 2 type school (I hate to shut down her dreams so quickly, but we can’t afford the ivies so very little point in dreaming about them).</p>
<p>Does her current 8th grade math teacher have math placement recommendations for her? Is her current 8th grade math course equivalent to a high school algebra 1 course? The answers to those questions should help her choose the proper math course.</p>
<p>Note that some of the Ivy League schools are more generous than most private or expensive schools with need-based financial aid, although they do not give merit scholarships. Net price calculators on their web sites may help with estimating financial aid at each school. But that is still rather far in the future, since she does not have any kind of high school record yet to know what colleges may be realistic.</p>
<p>She likes science/math? Tell her to join her school’s math club or Science Olympiad. Or you can always start a Math/Science Bowl-type club. See what your school offers and PM me for more details if you wish~.
Music is definitely a good EC to have(:
I’d also recommend taking the PSAT during freshman year.</p>