<p>When did most of you start planning for college? I've been told by a few of my "perennial slacker" peers that it is too early for me to be concerned with what colleges expect. (I'm beginning my sophomore year in September.) I like to consider myself "aware" of the college application process, while some consider me to be paranoid. So, back to the original question, when did most of you start to think about college? I would appreciate your input.</p>
<p>you’re right on time! You have time to choose your college b/c you’ll change your mind by the time it comes for you to apply but WORK on your TESTS! NOW! The SATs,ACTs, and SAT 2s. Practice like hell! Worry about this now the rest falls in place later and keep up your grades! Good luck! Hope that helps! Leave me a message if you have anymore questions.</p>
<p>I disagree with the Zinnia’s post. I think you should definitely start researching colleges just to get a feel for which colleges you might want to apply to, but trust me your top colleges will change a million times before the time to apply comes. Testing now would seem like a waste of time and money, since - at least in my opinion - it’s best to wait until your junior year. The freshman year of high school probably isn’t enough to thoroughly prepare you for the SAT or ACT and definitely not subject tests. Enjoy the next year, keep your grades up, and spend more time with friends and family because you’ll probably regret it later if you don’t.</p>
<p>The SAT II tests should be taken as soon as you have findished the course, no matter what year in HS you take them. It is very important not to wait until you have forgetten the material. It is not too early to begin the process. Start to read some of the college choice books, just to find out what kinds of schools are available. Continue reading college confidential to see what other people are saying about the schools.
Take the subject SAT 2 tests and start to read an SAT review book, which you can find on Amazon. You may not need a review course, one of those books may be an easy answer to learn what the SAT is all about…(or ACT). We started visiting local colleges when my son was a softmore in HS. We learned what to look for when visiting colleges. It’s easier to start early and be more relaxed than to fit it all in later.</p>
<p>Sure you should take the SAT II tests while the information is still fresh in your mind, but you would probably only be prepared to take Math I, which is a waste of time if you’re going to continue studying math and later take Math IIc, and biology or chemistry, which you may or may not be prepared for. If you have taken these courses, then you should buy a practice book and get ready to test in October. Like I said earlier, you should start looking into what colleges to which you might apply and even visit those close enough to you, but remember you will change your mind.</p>
<p>As far as College Confidential, I warn you to take everything said here with a grain of salt. Sometimes if you’re not a kid with the 2400 on the SAT, 36 on the ACT, president of every club imaginable, 4.00 GPA UW, valedictorian, and more volunteer hours than Mother Teresa, some people on these boards will try to tell you you’re not good enough. CCers don’t make up the entire application pool. Everyone doesn’t dream of attending the Ivy League (and since you’re posting on the Rice board, I’ll assume that you don’t have that desire). Beware of “chance” threads because no one really knows whether you’ll get in or not. I’ll also warn you to take your “slacker” friends’ advice with a grain of salt as well. I have friends I had to remind to register for the SAT (but college isn’t for everyone so keep that in mind) and friends who still have no idea where they want to go. If your friends start avoiding you, it’s usually a sign that they don’t want to talk about college; after all, you’re their friend not their guidance counselor. </p>
<p>As a rising HS senior who started preparing for college before my freshman year, I can tell you that the stress isn’t worth it. Colleges I was sure I wanted to attend 3 years ago (with the exception of Rice) I wouldn’t even consider now; heck, colleges I wanted to attend last week aren’t even options now. I made great scores on my SAT and subject tests, all of which I took towards the end of my junior year with only a little prep work (not months of slaving over an SAT prep book or sitting in an SAT prep class), my GPA is great despite all the weekends I spent stressing over colleges rather than putting that extra effort into homework or projects. It wasn’t until this year that I spent more time finding out who I am and what I really like to do that I could truly make decisions about the colleges that have the right “fit” and possible careers (still working on this but I have plenty of time to figure it out). Sorry this post is so long, and you probably stopped reading after the first paragraph. However, I would hate for your awareness to become an obsession.</p>
<p>DEFINITELY take the SAT2 pretty soon after you’ve finished the course/are about to finish it. I took US History in May of my junior year, I think before i took the AP test. I basically read through a review book the night before and got a 760. But your coursework in the respective subject is your best prep for any SAT 2.</p>
<p>chill out a little. start a little work on the side, but you will change in 2 1/2 years, so dont get an idea now and plan for that. do some groundwork accounting for changes in the future</p>